Engaging Students in Math | Edutopia

Below is a link to a great article from another source.  I learned of the article through an email resource from NCTM (the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics).  I think this well represents what we frequently find to be true for our students (many, not all), and the sort of Math class atmosphere we usually try to foster.

Enjoy, and keep watching for more links to similar articles. (Now that I've figured out a good way to do it.)

Engaging Students in Math | Edutopia

Middle School Math Stations

 As a form of review for topics covered during the week (a couple of fridays ago), this Middle School class rotated through stations:              playing games, building numbers, practicing key vocabulary, and even ... 

having fun while doing worksheets!!

Just "Mathin' around"

Things take time to get into full swing as we learn all about our classrooms, routines, and learning styles.  In most parts of the Lower and Middle school it will also take some time before math groups get fully operational.  But, in several places good math things are already happening; here are just a couple.

During Spark, students get the blood going by walking / running laps around the gym.  As they complete a lap, they collect a Popsicle stick.  Each stick represents 1 lap, but they are different colors.  Once they’ve collected an assigned number of sticks, students pick up a place value chart and place their sticks on the chart based on their color (neutral = ones, red = tens, orange = hundreds, and so on).  Students are then asked to name the number that they’ve made with their sticks.  

(3 reds and 7 neutral = 3 tens and 7 ones = 30 + 7 = 37)

Outside with Mrs. Ball, Mrs. Walsh’s students walk along a number line on the sidewalk, saying the numbers as they step on them.  After taking care to step on the correct numbers (that go with their rote counting) the group is then challenged to step (or skip) over 1 as they move from 0.  “What number are you on now?” They continue to skip over one number each time and say only the numbers they step on.  Many are able to do this from memory as well, and one enthusiastic student shares, “We are stepping on the even numbers and skipping over the odd numbers!”  Next they move to skip counting by 5’s then on to 10’s.  Yes, that takes a very big jump!

                                        

Lower school reading month favorites.

I like to read _____ best.

My favorite thing to read about is ______!

Some good Summer Links

I've had a few questions about and requests for iPad (etc.) apps related to Math - many looking for specific features or emphasis. I'm hoping to do more exploration in this area and provide more resources along these lines. In the mean time, I hope to share some links that might be helpful.

I found a browser based (internet) version of a "drag and drop" math tool. AND there is a version of it that is available as an app for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch - for just $0.99!

online version:
http://www.mrnussbaum.com/draggable/index2.html

app purchase:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dragndropmath/id428845625?mt=8&ls=1

Please keep tuning in for more reources!

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