Elementary math chat is a weekly math chat where participants come to discuss best practices, examine student work, explore routines for reasoning and research that guides and supports pedagogy centered on problem and student based learning.
Let's take a moment to find out who is here tonight. Please introduce yourself with your name, role, and location.
I'm Steve, and I love sharing estimation questions and images.
#ElemMathChat
Hi! Scott Geisler here, MAT candidate and busy substitute teacher, interested in estimation as a core route to helping Ss "talk math" on a daily basis. #elemmathchat
Let's take a moment to find out who is here tonight. Please introduce yourself with your name, role, and location.
I'm Steve, and I love sharing estimation questions and images.
#ElemMathChat
A1: my favorite definition is from the Building Math Minds summit last summer from @gfletchy & @mr_stadel “A Strategic choice of a number within a reasonable range.” #Elemmathchat
A1 Estimation is reasoning about how you select a number....
Estimation takes lots of practice - lots of opportunities to reason about size, magnitude, relationship of numbers
#ElemMathChat
#ElemMathChat A1a Isn’t estimation a lot like approximation? A long time ago learning electronics at DeVry and later in the US Navy we’d look at problems ideally, w/o losses. Each approximation add a little more reality. It helped w/design & problem solving.
A1: Estimation is a strategy used to find an approximate answer. When estimating, the answer should be reasonable based on information that has been gathered. Estimation is much more than a guess. #ElemMathChat
A1 Estimation is reasoning about how you select a number....
Estimation takes lots of practice - lots of opportunities to reason about size, magnitude, relationship of numbers
#ElemMathChat
A1: usually I hear “educated guess” but I think that’s not well enough defined. Estimysteries have actually changed the way I think about it. Using careful observation and prior knowledge should be part of it. Takes practice #elemmathchat
Glass #1 How many glass gems are in the glass?
What do you think? Why?
The answer will be revealed in 2 minutes along with the next question.
#ElemMathChat
Glass #2 How many glass gems are in the glass?
What do you think? Why?
The answer will be revealed in 2 minutes along with the next question.
#ElemMathChat
I think there are 22 because I think I can count about 10 - and I think there are more than double that....but initially my estimate was in the teens. Once I counted and reasoned a bit more, I revised my estimate. #ElemMathChat
I think there are 22 because I think I can count about 10 - and I think there are more than double that....but initially my estimate was in the teens. Once I counted and reasoned a bit more, I revised my estimate. #ElemMathChat
Estimation is building on your background experiences or known information to get a mental calculation, then refining your thinking with more learning and thinking #ElemMathChat
Glass 3
How many glass gems are in the glass?
What do you think? Why?
The answer will be revealed in 2 minutes along with the next question.
#ElemMathChat
Hello #ElemMathChat friends! I'm just walking out of my school from our parent teacher conferences hopefully I will make it home in time to get a bit of our chat in! My students are struggling with estimation right now and I need need need this chat!
Glass 4
How many glass gems are in the glass?
What do you think? Why?
The answer will be revealed in 2 minutes along with the next question.
#ElemMathChat
Glass 3: 60. It looks like less than double but the shape of the glass plus the fact that it is brimming over makes me think it is more than double the 25. #ElemMathChat
String 1
What is the length of the string in whole inches?
What do you think? Why?
The answer will be revealed in 2 minutes along with the next question.
#ElemMathChat
I've noticed repeatedly that children and adults often estimate approximately 1/3 lower than the actual number. I've see it again and again.
#ElemMathChat
17 inches - Estimated the size of the SHARPENED pencil to be about 4 inches & then moved the pencil mentally as if the string was stretched out. #ElemMathChat
2nd string
What is the length of the string in whole inches?
What do you think? Why?
The answer will be revealed in 2 minutes along with the next question.
#ElemMathChat
As we continue to estimate, we use information we've gathered to edit/refine/adjust our thinking so that the reasonableness increases. I think we spend more time reasoning and using what we know. #ElemMathChat
As we continue to estimate, we use information we've gathered to edit/refine/adjust our thinking so that the reasonableness increases. I think we spend more time reasoning and using what we know. #ElemMathChat
String 3
What is the length of the string in whole inches?
What do you think? Why?
The answer will be revealed in 2 minutes along with the next question.
#ElemMathChat
I believe relevance is a key factor because when we estimate we do so in relation to context. Without the context - or without the effort to reference it - I think it's actually guessing rather than estimating. #ElemMathChat
I would estimate the first string to be about 20 inches and the second to be about half the size of the first, so the second string is about 10 inches. #elemmathchat
String 4
What is the length of the string in whole inches?
What do you think? Why?
The answer will be revealed in 2 minutes along with the next question.
#ElemMathChat
I think it is about 22 inches. A pencil is a little over 7 inches so I think it is about 3 pencils. This is based on doing estimation in measurement with string with my students. #ElemMathChat
I estimate that string 3 is
9 inches long....that was my first thought - then as I tried to reason about it... I noticed that 9 + 14 = 23 so maybe you cut that first string into the two strings in pictures 2 & 3 ???
#ElemMathChat
I'm visually increasing our context and using repetition to do so.
Also, I'm featuring how students reference context as part of estimation. You are referencing multiple points of context as you consider this.
#ElemMathChat
A2 providing lots of opportunities to estimate with the same context gives opportunities for reasoning - and conversations between students as they listen to one another....they have a common reference point.
#ElemMathChat
A2: The more opportunities they are given to estimate within the same context gives them more practice with using the given information. They can also learn from each other as well as their previous estimates. #ElemMathChat
A2 providing lots of opportunities to estimate with the same context gives opportunities for reasoning - and conversations between students as they listen to one another....they have a common reference point.
#ElemMathChat
Another great point, and twice in a row the social context of estimation opportunities has been mentioned. That is a really important component. #ElemMathChat
A2: The more opportunities they are given to estimate within the same context gives them more practice with using the given information. They can also learn from each other as well as their previous estimates. #ElemMathChat
I feel that is what Esti-mysteries gives my students. Gradually giving clues and multiple opportunities for students to talk about their ideas and adjust their thinking. #elemmathchat
A2 often my students lack exposure to items they are asked to estimate with. The repetition gives them opportunity to quickly get exposure & apply what they noticed #elemmathchat
A2: The advantages of giving Ss repeated opportunities to estimate within the same context is the refinement that goes on as Ss use the info they're gathering from the context. Elevates reasoning as it increases likelihood that students r thinking abt their thinking #ElemMathChat
A2: Estimating in the same context gives them the opportunity to revise their estimations and make adjustments based on new information learned. Using what they know to figure out what they don't know #ElemMathChat
Thank you! The social aspect of math is super important to me. I think we all can learn from each other so students must be given the opportunity to talk to each other throughout the entire math block. #ElemMathChat
I like this, a lot. Estimating in context. Repeated and refined. It starts to feel like a conversation, which Ss appreciate and participate intuitively. #ElemMathChat
Ideas I'm hearing...
providing opportunities
power of estimation in a social context
revision of thinking
reasoning
communication of ideas
refinement of thinking
development of context
#ElemMathChat
A2: I also think it helps students who don't quite understand estimating get stronger with it (i.e., the ones who guess a very low or very high estimate and aren't making thoughtful estimations) #ElemMathChat
I have to run. I hit the 5k twitter wall & am slowly cleaning out some old outdated follows. I hope/plan to follow a lot of you within a couple weeks. #ElemMathChat And GREAT chat!!!
I'd like to add that estimation is a really, really good invitation into math reasoning.
It opens the doors for everyone, it's full of mystery, and it's really fun!
#ElemMathChat
Heather, it really feels like these estimation experiences are featuring many of the Standards for Mathematical Practice, as you've noted here.
#ElemMathChat
Having opportunities to use something you know to help you solve something you don't know is something I want my Ss to be proficient with when faced with a problem where the answer is not obvious. #ElemMathChat
A2 I notice the richness of the conversation improves with repeated experiences, engagement increases as it’s not a one strike and you’re out or in, and related math comes into play with twice as many or half as much...authentic! #ElemMathChat
I've noticed that, too. The conversations become richer and deeper. They are focused. They take a little longer as the context increases. #ElemMathChat
A2 I notice the richness of the conversation improves with repeated experiences, engagement increases as it’s not a one strike and you’re out or in, and related math comes into play with twice as many or half as much...authentic! #ElemMathChat
I always thank students for sharing their initial estimates out loud. That can take courage to be the one to break the ice by declaring an estimate. #ElemMathChat
It's been fun to hear you revise your estimates. I notice that your revisions are generally greater than your initial estimates. Mine are too. #ElemMathChat
Sticking with 66...less than 100 and it is even. Again, I can see about 32, so if I double and add a few, I feel good with my estimate (Fingers crossed) #ElemMathChat
When I reveal clues in the classroom, there is either a "Yes! My clue stands" moment or a "Let's go back and revise based on new information!" moment.
#ElemMathChat
For example, here’s one my 4th graders made (they couldn’t decide which object to use, so they used them all!). There is a surprisingly large number in this jar. #elemmathchat
For example, here’s one my 4th graders made (they couldn’t decide which object to use, so they used them all!). There is a surprisingly large number in this jar. #elemmathchat
Need to revise again. But I'm not sure if I should go higher or lower. To go higher it would be 78. If I go lower I'd go with 58. Just not sure.
#elemmathchat
Need to revise again. But I'm not sure if I should go higher or lower. To go higher it would be 78. If I go lower I'd go with 58. Just not sure.
#elemmathchat
The first couple of times I did it, I gave students a hundreds chart and we really focused in on how to eliminate possible numbers. They love using the tool. And it was definitely helpful for most of them.
#ElemMathChat
So there was a “Guess the V-Day candy in the jar” by the drying station at the nail salon this weekend, and my first thought was, I should take a picture and make an esti mystery for my classroom! 🤣#iteachmath#ElemMathChat@SteveWyborney
By the way, if you like the Esti-Mysteries, I wrote 15 new ones.
I'll release them with an upcoming blog post called 20 Days of Number Sense and Rich Math Talk.
#ElemMathChat
A3 Estimation Clipboards and Esti-Mysteries are SO good.
I also love @Estimation180 and doing estimation jars in class with real objects that can count .
Lots of opportunities to estimate and revise and discuss!
#ElemMathChat
A3: The best I've found is your Esti-mysteries. I love that the clues are given because it adds another element for students. It's a great way to review vocabulary that students may have learned in previous years. #ElemMathChat
I gave it to them as a resource. I have a lot of struggling mathematicians so having the visual in front of them was extremely helpful. It also helped me know what vocabulary they were still struggling with. Many of these 5th graders needed a review of odd and even. #ElemMathChat
A3: After doing the esti-mystery, I believe this will be a great tactic and strategy to use in helping future students with learning estimation skills #elemmathchat
Thank you all for coming tonight!
It is so great to connect, and I TRULY appreciate your taking time this evening to talk about instructional practice and estimation. I hope you have a wonderful Friday.
#ElemMathChat
Estimation jars to jumpstart new lessons. Did this this week starting money w 2nd graders. Which has more money? About how much $ in each? #elemmathchat
A3: Esti-Mysteries are awesome! Thank you @SteveWyborney for being so generous in sharing resources with others. I'm also a fan of @Estimation180. And using estimation jars in class. #ElemMathChat
