Teaching Understanding in Math

Now that we are focusing on certain mathematical common core standards instead of "going through our book," how exactly do you teach for that deeper understanding.  I like using real examples to explain my thinking, so let's think about teaching about dividing fractions. 

That's a scary proposition for most teachers!

What if you began the unit with an anchor chart that does not show a procedure step-by-step but instead looks like this:

During the whole group discussion the anchor chart changes like this:

The next day, in partners, students answer this question concerning if my answer is reasonable or not.

 or

 "Does this answer make sense?"

How do you teach understanding instead of procedure?

Please share your ideas in the comment section of this post or share a link to your blog in which you are discussing teaching understanding.

Smiles,

Deborah

Subitizing

I just wanted you to know that I practice what I teach. We have a entering kindergartener in the house and I am beginning to work with her on subitizing numbers. 

 Subitizing means to instantly recognize a quantity without counting.

 These are the steps in my house to the second floor. I taped the number dots on the risers of the stairs.  As she walks upstairs, she says their value... 3,3,2,3,2 and so on.  I will change the cards to  larger number values as the posted numbers become too easy.  Since she will be in a Dual Language Class, next she will say the numbers in Spanish too.  In her class, math is taught in Spanish.

John Van de Walle discusses subitizing in his book, "Teaching Student-Centered Mathematics: Grades K-3."  You can print a copy of his blackline masters of the dot patterns that are smaller in size than shown in my photo. Just click here .

I always say-  break in down in learnable bits...

 with a spoonful of sugar.

Smiles,

Deborah

Computer Research for Fourth Grade Common Core Math Standard 4.OA.3

Here is a research project that can be completed in the computer lab for:  Math Standard 4.OA.3

Solve multistep word problems posed with whole numbers and having whole-number answers using the four operations, including problems in which remainders must be interpreted. Represent these problems using equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantity. Assess the reasonableness of answers using mental computation and estimation strategies including rounding.

Go to http://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en/full_menu_explorer.html which shows the entire McDonald’s menu.

When you hover your mouse over a food item you can view it's  nutritional information.

 Students use this information to write a multistep math problem and it's solution.  Students print their problem, and then exchange problems with other students to solve.

Smiles,

Deborah 

 

Family Math Night at the Local Grocery Store ACTIVITIES

Mary Bauer recently commented on my post about the Family Math Night at a local grocery store:

"We have a local grocery store that would participate. What kind of activities do families do?':

You can see that I have created activity sheets for Grades Kindergarten through 6th Grade.

 Here is an example of the Kindergarten Activity sheet:

The activities at each grade level are based on the Common Core Standards.
I've taken into consideration that your local grocery store may be different from the one in my area. 

Since the format of my packet is in PowerPoint, the pages are be editable , so you can easily change the wording of the document.

Do you want to host a school event that will draw a large crowd?
Then use the suggestions provided on the page titled, 
"Suggestions to Promote the Event." 

What if too many people attend?
 Read my suggestions about creating Estimation Alley to have attendees do before entering the Event.

 The entire Math Night kit is NOW available in my Teacher Pay Teacher store. Click to take a look at the 39 page packet.

Here is another example from the packet:

(One school had a volunteer near the meat department with a set of calculators to assist the students as they calculated the answers for Number 2 on this sheet.) 

Also included in the packet is a checklist of all the tasks that the Organizing Committee needs to do to prepare for the Math Night Event.

Parents complete this form at the end of the night to praise their children as they recognize mathematical skills used by their children.

 

Smiles,

Deborah

Family Math Night at the Local Grocery Store

More work on those Family Math Night at the Local Grocery Store documents.

Today I made a WELCOME banner to hang above the registration table. I used PowerPoint to create the banner.

Example of parts of the banner

Smiles,

Deborah

Upcoming Project: Family Math Night at the Local Grocery Store

I recently attended a Family Math Night at a local grocery store. It was fantastic. In fact, I am so excited about the possibilities and value of these types of events that I am working on a packet of materials needed for a Family Math Night that your school can also hold with all the planning done, and editable sheets to use at the event for Grades K - 5.

So far, I've created an informational/sign-up letter about the event, a poster for the event to be placed on the front door of the grocery store doors, and a parent response letter to their child to be posted back at school the day following the event.

Here is a peek of what I am working on...

Positive Parent Letter to their Child about their work at the Family Math Night.
These letters  would be hung up in the hallway the day after the event under the heading of,
"My Parents Think I'm a Super Hero."

Would you like to hold an event like this at
your local grocery store?
Smiles,
Deborah

Thinking Map: Brace Map with Multigrade Adaptations

 I'm taking a photography class with my new camera. That lead to the creation of these teaching materials using my photographs of a Ford Mustang and a Thinking Map  called a "Brace Map.".

I created a  set of teaching materials to be used with a sentence strip chart.  Brace Maps explain the relationship of the whole to their parts. I would be happy to share this two page resource with you by clicking HERE.

Teacher Page



Student Page

I created some additional pages that expands

 the teacher materials provided:

 

First, individual pictures with a label are provided for each "part" to use during your Whole Group Teaching Lesson.

Brace

If you need a Multi-Grade Adaptation, the below sheet could be given to the higher grade students or more talented reading students.  In this assignment, one of the parts is further expanded into new categories. For example, the wheel could be broken down into tire, hubcap,  wheel well, or lug nuts.

Here is a link to the complete unit for $1.50 at my

 Teacher Pay Teacher Account... click HERE.

 

Leave a comment and tell me what you think. 

 

Smiles,

Deborah Devine