This school year teacher-coach Mona Iehl is committing to do less so that her math students can do more. More thinking, more problem solving, more growing, all to empower them to take the lead in their learning and give them space to figure things out. Learn how she does it!
Math teacher Michelle Russell remembers her own anxiety each year when the time came to teach statistics to middle schoolers. She shares two fun activities she’s discovered that address 6th and 8th grade standards: cup stacking and the candy grab! Student handouts included.
Fresh teaching ideas engulf math teachers each fall. Which strategies take priority as we seek to help students have the best year ever? Teacher and coach Mona Iehl recommends three: build classroom community, review and augment resources, and select engaging lesson formats.
Math class brings certain challenges and requires special attention when forming a community, writes middle grades teacher Mona Iehl. “Many of my students come with negative math experiences and associations. My goal is that each student feels a sense of safety and belonging.”
Math teacher Robert Kaplinsky wanted his students debating about the best way to solve a problem, using strategic thinking and not just the formula. He also wanted to know when students had misconceptions so he could reshape his lessons. His solution? Open Middle Math.
Tracy Zager’s professor told students it would take five years to become a skillful math teacher. In this message to beginning educators, Zager shares insights that can help push the process. Most important: “Become addicted to listening to students’ mathematical ideas.”
Math Anxiety / Meaningful Math
by Michelle Russell · Published 01/29/2017 · Last modified 11/25/2019
When teacher Michelle Russell surveyed her students about personal interests and learning preferences, she found over one-third have anxious or negative feelings about math. She’s begun her search for strategies to address the problem – and she welcomes your ideas!
Common Core math experts Leslie Texas & Tammy Jones offer strategies (and free tools) to help students become mathematical thinkers. “The key, they say, is to “seamlessly interweave” the CCSS mathematical practices with content instruction.
MS math teacher Kathy Felt makes her case for the Common Core standards and the need for educators to “teach mathematics in deep and engaging ways.”
MS teachers looking for a quick reference to Common Core math standards or a text to stimulate deeper thinking will find it in Common Core Standards For Middle School Mathematics: A Quick-Start Guide, says teacher Rebecca Anderson.
