Hi there! It's Tara from 180 Days and Counting! Now that most states have been immersed into the Common Core Math Standards, how are you feeling about them? Stressed, overwhelmed, ecstatic, enthusiastic? Do you consider yourself an expert, novice, or somewhere in between? I remember my first year with the CC, I was definitely feeling stressed and overwhelmed. There was so much new and not many resources. One of the areas I found myself drowning struggling with was learning how to teach computational strategies. Prior to CC, I only taught the standard algorithm for 2 and 3 digit equations, although, I never felt it was very effective. Over the years, I've mainly worked with students that are below or low in math. The standard algorithm just wasn't for them. The only way to get them to be "successful" was to teach them the tried and true rhyme..."more on the top, please don't stop. More on the floor, go next door!" I'm sure you've heard it, sang it, dreamt it. This may work for many teachers but what I realized was that my students were memorizing the rhyme but not truly understanding the process. Carrying and borrowing became automatic, yet when asked to explain their thinking, this is the look I got...
Then, the Common Core came along and we had to stop teaching the standard algorithm, teach multiple computational strategies, AND expect mastery of triple-digit addition/subtraction with regrouping by the end of the year. WHOA!!!! WHAT. WERE. THEY. THINKING!! Well, four years later...I'm a FAN!!! Computational strategies are definitely a game changer in my math class.
There are multiple strategies with different names. In my math class, we use Break it Down, Base 10 Blocks, and Empty Number line. I had a few of my students demonstrate how easy these strategies are...watch them in ACTION!
This video is longer than the other two, but the student does a great job explaining the process. He's a funny commentator!
Here are two products that can help support your instruction in math class. Just click the pictures to go to my store.
Graphic Credit: Teaching Super Power, Graphics From the Pond, Teaching in a Small Town, Hello Literacy
Hey there! I'm Tara from 180 Days and Counting! To say that I dove head first into the blogging world is an understatement!! I wrote my first post on February 21, 2015 and, now, here I am writing for a collaborative blog on April 4th!!!! I feel privileged to be working with such a talented group of women. I know I'm going to learn a lot and I hope you do too!!
Today, I want to share an amazing online resource that the teachers in my school district use to plan math. We simply call it "The Wiki." Originally, I was going to take screenshots of the site but then realized that a video would be more beneficial!! So, I created my FIRST screen recording. Please be kind!!
In the video, I'll give you a tour of the site and show you where to find resources to help you better plan for math. These resources can be used on a daily, monthly, and yearly basis. The Common Core standards are divided into four quarters with resources to teach and assess each one. You'll also find on-line manipulatives, interactives, and apps. "The Wiki" has so much to offer! I hope you find it useful for planning your math block.
Click on any of the pictures below to go to your grade level Wiki.
I love to challenge my students! One quick and easy way is to start our math class with a rigorous task. Students are paired together, given a problem on the document camera, and have to work together to find the answer(s). Usually, there are multiple responses or multiple ways of reaching the answer. They are given about 15 minutes to work together and then we have a sharing session as a whole group. I typed up four problems, from The Wiki, for you to use with your class. Just click on the picture to go to the Google Doc or click (here).
Thanks for listening to my rambles!!! See you next month!
Disclaimer: Permission to share this website was given by John SanGiovanni, Elementary Mathematics Supervisor in Howard County.
