Posts Tagged: Math Activities

Simultaneous vs. Sequential Interaction

What is the difference between simultaneous and sequential interaction? When I first pose this question to students, I ask them to think about the definition of each word for a couple of minutes. Then I ask them to share with their partner what they thought (Think-Pair-Share).…

A Sneak “Peek” at Small-Group, Differentiated Instruction

How can a teacher become more efficient in the classroom? How can our schools make the most of mathematical minutes? What does RtI (Response to Intervention) look like in a high school classroom? What does a week of small-group, differentiated instruction look like? Help! Elementary & secondary level teachers, administrators, leadership teams, departments, and districts are looking for good examples of small-group, differentiated instruction in mathematics.…

Planes, Patience, & Purpose

“It’s been my observation that people who understand the to-do list and “two-fers” get the maximum benefit from their time.  What is a “two-fer”?  Example: I never get in a line at an airport without something to read.” -Zig Ziglar Traveling has taught me a lot about patience, but it’s also taught me a lot about purpose.…

Bottoms Flat or Bottoms Up?

Why can’t students just learn the same way all of us did in school? We sat. The teacher talked and wrote on the board. We solved problems. We came back and did it again the next day. We all did just fine. Why can’t we do what we’ve always done?…

Picasso, Prisms, & Oatmeal!

“There are painters who transform the sun to a yellow spot, but there are others who, with the help of their art and their intelligence, transform a yellow spot into sun.” -Pablo Picasso When was the last time you sat around with your friends or colleagues and asked ANY of the following questions?…

Math is Supposed to be FUN!

This week I traveled east on TX Highway 150 to the small town of Coldspring, Texas. Although the downtown shops and restaurants looked quaint and inviting, I drove straight past them to one of the best parts of Coldspring–its students. I had the honor of working with a fifth grade class from Coldspring Intermediate.…

Cooking, Cookies, and Concepts

This summer I wrote blog posts for parents. As I spent time with my own children over the past two weeks I thought I would share a few ideas. How does a parent cultivate a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts without using a textbook? Winter break is the most wonderful time of the year to meaningfully apply math!…

Secondary Math Resources

“Education is knowing where to go to find out what you need to know; and it’s knowing how to use the information you get.” -William Feather “You can always find a capable helping hand at the end of your own sleeve.” -Zig Ziglar It’s just a few hours away from winter break for schools, but dedicated educators are still asking for more to prepare for the coming semester.…

Movies, Math, & the Moon: Visualizing in Math

Fred Haise: I know why my numbers were wrong. I only figured it for two people. Jack Swigert: Maybe I should just hold my breath. -from the movie, “Apollo 13” “We’ve made our Whole-Group Mini-Lesson on Fridays about problem solving. Word problems, especially multi-step ones, are really challenging for our students.…

A GREAT Game!

“What is the most useful game you’ve ever played with your students?” If I had $20 to spend on games, the commercial game I would select is the card game called the 24 Game. [www.24game.com] Created in 1988 by Robert Sun, it has engaged and fascinated every student I’ve ever had.…