Rethinking math achievement by means of public perception, not public policy. I recently read an article entitled, “9 Years Into Obama’s Common Core – Math Scores at a 20 Year Low and Falling,” which highlighted many of the concerns surrounding Common Core State Standards (CCSS). What most people agree on is that the CCSS has […]
READ MORESharing Little Gems of Math Understanding!
Gems of math understanding or ‘ah-ha’ moments are often similar for teachers regardless of their location Over the past 25 years I have been very fortunate that my business has given me the opportunity to travel and work in several countries, including 46 states of America. During this time, I have delivered thousands of hours […]
READ MOREORIGO Experts Share Their Love of Math
We all use math in everyday applications whether we’re aware of it or not. If you look around, you’ll see math in action from some unexpected places. Mathematics is a universal language and helps us create and bring our ideas into reality. From cooking a fantastic meal to playing music to knitting that perfect scarf. […]
READ MORELanguage in Mathematics: Parent Observations and Actions (Part 2)
Teaching multiplication concepts: how language influences outcomes 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 two children: Alexander (aged 9) and Isabelle (aged 7). Alexander had learned multiplication […]
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 This is the final post of our 3-part literacy series: Math and Literacy Part 1: Activating prior knowledge and using schema to make predictions Math and Literacy Part 2: Questioning as an Active Thinking Math Strategy Math and Literacy Part 3: Visualization and Modeling Visualization and modeling is the […]
READ MOREIntroduction to Multiplication: Parent Observations and Actions (Part 1)
What’s a parent to do with two kids, two approaches, and two vastly different outcomes in teaching and learning the concept of multiplication basics? 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 […]
READ MORELanguage in Mathematics: Borrowing from Literacy Strategies (Part 2)
Questioning as an Active Thinking Math Strategy This is Part 2 of a 3-part series: Math and Literacy Part 1: Activating prior knowledge and using schema to make predictions Math and Literacy Part 2: Questioning as an Active Thinking Math Strategy Math and Literacy Part 3: Visualization and Modeling Questioning, the second of the three research-based strategies […]
READ MORELanguage in Mathematics: Borrowing from Literacy Strategies (Part 1)
Math Literacy Strategy Activity #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 […]
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 MORE
