How language in mathematics influences two kids, two approaches, and two vastly different outcomes in teaching the concept of multiplication. In part 1 of this post on language in mathematics I shared some observations of two vastly different approaches to teaching the concept of multiplication. To recap, I provided a case study of my own […]
READ MOREUsing Language Stages to Guide the Development of Measurement Concepts (Part 2)
Using Language Stages to Guide the Development of Measurement Concepts Language can be used to guide the development of nearly all mathematics concepts including the development of measurement concepts. In fact, when language is used in the teaching of mathematics it forces curriculum planners to focus on concepts and not just skills or procedures. To […]
READ MORELanguage in Mathematics: Borrowing from Literacy Strategies (Part 3)
Visualization and modeling as active thinking math strategies Visualization and modeling is the third and final research-based strategy covered in this series. Click here to read Part 1 of the series. When students use or recall objects, pictures, or models during and after their math study, they are better able to explain their understanding to peers, parents […]
READ MORELanguage in Mathematics: Parent Observations and Actions (Part 1)
What’s a parent to do with two kids, two approaches, and two vastly different outcomes in teaching the concept of multiplication? Similar to those reading this article, I am passionate about mathematics education, and as a parent of two young children, I am very interested in the homework they bring home! In this article, I […]
READ MORELanguage in Mathematics: Borrowing from Literacy Strategies (Part 2)
Questioning as an Active Thinking Math Strategy Questioning, the second of the three research-based strategies covered in this series on language in mathematics, is effective in generating active engagement in class. Click here to read Part 1 of the series. Techniques for questioning help clarify and deepen the understanding of a focused math topic, but for many […]
READ MORELanguage in Mathematics: Borrowing from Literacy Strategies (Part 1)
Activating prior knowledge and using schema to make predictions Over the years, elementary teachers in non-math subjects have made great use of research-based literacy strategies. These strategies increase reading comprehension by asking students to explore connections between what they’re reading and their previous experiences, background, or prior knowledge. The question for elementary math teachers is: […]
READ MOREArts-Integration: Empowering All Children
Arts-integration allows for accessibility in your classroom I am the first person to say that children should play to ensure they are connecting neural pathways in their brain to new concepts and skills. Play is the avenue in which they apply the new learning to the real world. However, there are many different approaches to […]
READ MOREInspiring Play in Young Learners: Play is Serious Learning!
Play is serious learning! As a child, I never understood how much Mr. Rogers would impact my life. I would wake up, get my glass of milk and eagerly watch Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood as he would teach me how to view the world through open eyes, how to accept each person for who they are, […]
READ MOREInspiring Play in Young Learners: Your Home is Their Play!
Using your home as a playground for math! As I sit back and watch my own two children, ages 6 and 8, I am still amazed at how they can entertain themselves for hours with joyful play. In the picture below, you will see Wyatt pretending to be the lion of the jungle (imagine his […]
READ MOREInspiring Play in Young Learners: Sometimes Play Just Needs a Nudge
Play is hard sometimes! With this generation of children, sometimes play can be an elusive beast to attain. With the invention of iPads, cable television, and computer games, children have learned to be entertained with animated “tech-sitters”. While this is my opinion alone, I believe it to be true. As I walk through early childhood […]
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