1. 1. Janice Vaughn
2. 2. Ten Ways to Strengthen the Mathematics in Your Classroom I am a first grade teacher who had the privilege of collaborating with other first grade teachers to develop and write the new math curriculum for the University City School District. This journey included reading the Best Practice books and researching the latest trends in teaching mathematics. The objective is to understand the ways that teachers can strengthen the mathematics in their classroom. I have listed ten strategies that have helped me improve as a mathematics teacher. Presentation Movement Directions: 10 Ways to Strengthen the Mathematics in Your Classroom Click on the blue start button to view the first strategy. This presentation was designed to move from 1-10 in sequence. After viewing the information found on the slide click the page to view introduction for next page or click the arrow and it will return you to the menu where you can click on the next number /slide. This format will continue until you have viewed all the slides. When you end on a web page, just close the web page and you will return to the presentation. Enjoy your journey, and I hope you find the information valuable.
3. 3. 1 Create a mathematics environment 2 Plan to connect with parent about mathematics 3 Research mathematics websites for students 4 Supply mathematics manipulatives 5 Have students explain their thinking in mathematics 6 Seek opportunities for professional growth in mathematics 7 Encourage collaboration around problem solving in mathematics 8 Integrate mathematics in all subjects 9 Model teacher authentic thinking in mathematics 10 Share your success in mathematics
4. 4. Create a Mathematics Environment Suggestions: Build a seasonal mathematic theme bulletin board List careers in mathematics Post a real-world mathematical problem of the day or week Monthly Show and Tell in Mathematics Fill your classroom with examples of mathematics being used in the real world. Estimate how many jelly beans are in the jar?
5. 5. Connect with parents: provide monthly newsletters about current mathematical topics and vocabulary. host a parent night to introduce mathematical curriculum
6. 6. Research Mathematics Websites for Students There are several research- based mathematical websites for students to use at school and home. Click on the links to view the websites and their contents. http://www.discoveryeducation.com Probes and Interventions http://www.mathmagician.org Math fluency http://www.ABCYA.com Learning math games http://www.xtramath.com Learning math games http://www.coolmath4kids.com Learning math games http://www.IXL.com Learning math games
7. 7. Teacher Should: Take an inventory of materials to make a student set of manipulatives Organize your manipulatives according to your mathematic topics Model proper use of the manipulatives Students Should: Follow expectations for taking care of manipulatives Explore manipulatives for proper use Turn-and talk about what they learned from modeling
8. 8. Have Students Explain their Thinking in Mathematics Use Rigorous Questioning Explain your thinking? Why do you think that? Why? How? What strategy did you use? Check for Understanding IATs Use non verbal informal assessment techniques: Empire one student answers the question; the other students agree or disagree with non-verbal cues. Thumbs Up- students use thumb in up position for agreeing, down position for disagreeing, and side- to-side for I dont know. Dry Erase boards students answer using dry erase boards.
9. 9. Seek Opportunities for Professional Growth in Mathematics Suggested Reading: Better Learning Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey A Framework for the Gradual Release of Responsibility
10. 10. Encourage Collaboration Around Problem Solving in Mathematics Model how to collaborate around math. Teach students the dialogue and social rules. View video on using Kagan Strategies. https://youtu.be/S0s_qxJDuas
11. 11. Integrate Mathematics Across the Curriculum
12. 12. Model Teacher Authentic Thinking in Mathematics Teacher models thinking for students during problem- solving opportunities. Sample of teacher solving a problem using authentic thinking Problem: Amy needs to bring 2 cookies for each of her classmates. There are 15 students in her class. How many cookies? I will make a plan to solve this problem. First, I will read the problem again to make sure I pick out the important details. Next, I will analyze the problem to see if I add, subtract, multiply, or divide. I will make a number sentence for 15 X 2 = ? I will do this because Amy needs to bring 2 cookies for each student and there are 15 students. Then, I will make a picture of students with two cookies each. Next, I will count the cookies to double check my answer. Finally, I will write a sentence that tells how many cookies Amy will bring. Amy will bring 30 cookies for all her classmates.
13. 13. We did it!