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.
A1: This was my summer of “Re” - I focused on recharging, rebooting, reconnecting, and reinventing -through, family time, reading, relaxing, researching, and some pool time. #Elemmathchat
A1: A little pool time, read PD books, oh and drove along the MO river while my husband raced in a canoe 340 miles from KC to St Charles. Kept my math skills sharp w that! #ElemMathChat
A1 I went to six really fun and inspiring math professional development opportunities. Kindled and ignited my passion. I also spent a week on Sanibel Island pre Red Tide & picked up a gazillion sea shells! #ElemMathChat
A1: traveled watching my boys play baseball here and there! Marcy, Elementary Math Coordinator in Frisco TX. Looking forward to connecting. #ElemMathChat
A1: I read lots of books from the public library and gave birth to my third child. I am currently on maternity leave but missing my students and teachers. #ElemMathChat
So far, so good! She already has a relationship with her teacher because she would greet her and give her a hug each morning on the way to her Kindergarten class. #ElemMathChat
A2: The new teachers are inspiring me. Met with one today. I am also starting off this year with only 2 buildings. Feeling like part of a team. #ElemMathChat
A2: The book that is inspiring me as I begin the year is Everything You Need for Mathematics Coaching. Using it with coaches to support our teachers. Also used Beyond Answers this summer with K-2 teachers as a book study. #elemmathchat
I attended the @NCTM annual conference in April, and I am on fire with anything surrounding the Effective Mathematics Teaching Practices. I'm using several @NCTM / @CorwinPress books to guide my conversations with teachers this year. #elemmathchat
A2: Working with teachers! Digging deeper into TEK work, using progressions to deepen our knowledge & modeling with kids! And investing in our new teachers! 🙌🏼 #Elemmathchat
A2 I have been inspired to find ways to weave together growth mindset, famous failures, www.greatexpectations.ort and @openupresources this year. I am beyond thrilled to be using all of these beautiful and research based ideas to change lives and touch the future! #ElemMathChat
I am a math coach K-8 in Ontario. One of my teachers wants to incorporate a reflection journal in her daily lessons. What questions would you ask of students? Would you keep it open-ended? Use exit cards with reflections attached? #elemmathchat
A2: Taking a closer look at problem solving tasks and the effectiveness of how to assess students through them. Got to get away from problem solving being an event in class but rather making it the essence of what we do all day. #ElemMathChat
So many ideas from #buildmathminds18 but @SteveWyborney's treasure chest of tasks are shining brightly! Can't wait to try Estimation Clipboard, Fraction Splats, Conversation Cubes & more! #elemmathchat
A2 I have been inspired to find ways to weave together growth mindset, famous failures, https://t.co/FD2noV8PVA and @openupresources this year. I am beyond thrilled to be using all of these beautiful and research based ideas to change lives and touch the future! #ElemMathChat
A2
What’s inspiring me this year?
Building relationships with teachers and students!
Thinking about how to math mathematics accessible to everyone...
#ElemMathChat
Read both Number Sense Routines books, The Formative 5, Everything You Need for Mathematics Coaching, Developing Number Concepts 1 & 2, Math Workshop, Embedding Formative Assessments and Young Children's Math #elemmathchat
A2: Attending & presenting at #CAMT18 gave me a boost at the end of my work year and recharge for the new school year to continue/expand initiatives/plans in place #ElemMathChat
A2: inspired by all the new and fresh ideas the teachers at my school come up with. They really push me to create some amazing lessons for my kiddos! #ElemMathChat
What are you curious about ___? What is surprising you about ___? What do you want to know more about ___? What is confusing about ___? What questions do you have about ___? #ElemMathChat
Probably more information than most teachers want. They cover a lot of research on how students learn math. How different disabilities can affect math learning. As a special educator I think it's great. #elemmathchat
A2 read Number SenseRoutines for 3-5 and also am inspired because I had 2 Ss come in to strengthen their math skills voluntarily this summer #Elemmathchat
Molly from Vancouver, WA popping in late.
A2: I am inspired by the brilliance of children at play and jazzed to see how much attention teachers are giving to this topic going into this year. #ElemMathChat
A3: My favorite week 1 activity actually happens the first day.. I Call it all about me Math. The students solve math problems that give them facts about me! And they can check their answers with QR codes. Fun, techie, engaging. #ElemMathChat
A3: favorite activity of all time is anything with Number Sense Routines!! Sets the tone of your math class! WODB without numbers would be fun at the beginning to create a risk taking environment. #ElemMathChat
A3 Laura from CT jumping in! Doing @joboaler WIM3 district wide this year the first week. In K we’re also doing two weeks of math play and exploration. #ElemMathChat
A3
Week 1 math activities are important to set the tone about what you care about. They should-
-be problem based
-allow students to learn cooperatively
-offer opportunities for 5 practices
-show students that their role is to learn WITH and FROM each other!
#ElemMathChat
A3: So many ideas depending on the level. I have been hanging out with early learners of late and I think playing with loose parts and counting collections would provide opportunity to establish culture. #ElemMathChat
A3 I also discovered an awesome activity on @saravdwerf's site called 1 to 100. It develops those important collaboration skills to help set up the year #ElemMathChat
#A3 I do so many that I LOVE! A few are:
Math is Snowball activity
ice breaker: https://t.co/OlrJeoq3WX
I also lead discussions around the picture books: What do you do with an Idea/Problem/Chance
#ElemMathChat
A3. We are introducing the idea from @TracyZager book on How to Make School Math More Like Real Math! Really excited what it will look like K-6. Hoping to bring more of the excitement, joy, curiosity, and play of real math into the classroom
#elemmathchat
A4
While some might believe a beginning of the year test might be helpful for a teacher to learn about their students, a FAR better way to do this is by allowing students to problem solve. Here we can observe and ask questions in real time to learn about our Ss.
#ElemMathChat
We start with a notice and wonder that leads to quantitative questions leading to a graphing activity. Definitely encourages great math conversations, cooperative and collaborative groups! @NetZeroLee#75019math#ElemMathChat It's fun and tasty too!
A3: Reading children’s books that introduce and support the mathematical practice standards. (The Salt in His Shoes and Ming Lo Moves the Mountain are two of my favorites!) I also love doing Counting Collections! #Elemmathchat
A3 PVC cube tilted precariously team activity where kids entire team must get through was a hit last year. Trying to get the materials again for this year #Elemmathchat
A3: Among the things already mentioned (e.g., WODB, Inspiration Week), I will also ask my students what they think they need to learn this year and then we will co-create (e.g., a number path, number freeze, etc.) #elemmathchat
I use it to introduce the SMPs with students. They always enjoy it - and I like that it doesn’t require numbers. A great way to broaden their definition of mathematical thinking. #ElemMathChat
Some use @YouCubedOrg ‘s WOIM tasks to start their year (which is great) but then get back to “regular” teaching.
But I wonder how we can make every week more like this...while aiming toward specific outcomes from our students.
Let’s make every week inspirational!
#ElemMathChat
A4: Questions and Discussions deepen your mathematical thinking resonates with me because students learn when talking about math. Teachers' questions are so important to guide the discussion. #elemmathchat
Great goal! I'm glad the Weeks of Inspirational Math provide an exemplar of what that can look and feel like. I wonder if the new grade-level specific Mindsets books could help with extending it beyond WOIM? #ElemMathChat
A4: I love them all. If pressed to pick, I’d select questions and discussions. Ss learn the most when they pose questions and have peer discussions. #ElemMathChat
A4: That's a hard one- but probably "Mistakes and challenges are the best times for your brain". Trying hard to make an intrinsic part of our culture. #elemmathchat
A4 Really? We have to choose? I think "math is about learning, not performing" is one norm we have to keep working on- with each other, with ourselves, with students, all the time.
#elemmathchat
I hope so. Really, for many teachers, what we need is more than an example though, we need examples for each area of content. This is the long journey we have of math learning.
#Elemmathchat
It would be great on the first day. Don't skip the part about taking pictures of the groups working together. They are always surprised that you took their picture. They are so engaged in the task that they don't notice. #ElemMathChat
In reply to
@CindyGarciaTX, @leuverink, @saravdwerf
Ha! I encourage choosing one just because it can be overwhelming if teachers try to tackle them all at once. Choose one for now, then add one. #ElemMathChat
A4: Questions & discussions deepen mathematical thinking. I always learn something when listening to others - especially kids! These new connections deepen my thinking. #elemmathchat
a4 pt 1 Our creed
I am a mathematician. I accept the challenge to persevere when problem-solving because I know maths is not about being fast, rather it is about seeing patterns collaborating communicating and connecting.
#elemmathchat
a4 pt 2
I accept the responsibility to notice, wonder, struggle and strategize because I know being a mathematician is about learning not performing. I am a mathematician, and no problem is too big for me!
#elemmathchat
I loved reading #Ish by Peter Reynolds to my first graders. Helped me promote growth mindset from the beginning of the year. “Ish” then became a catch phrase in my classroom. #ElemMathChat 😀
Math is about learning not performing.
This norm really asks us to put the most important thing in our sights. But it also challenges us to reconsider which our tasks are aimed at. Lots to reflect on here!!!
#Elemmathchat
A4 It took me a long time to answer this because they are all so vital! I guess developing a growth mindset and learning that mistakes are a part of that growth. We want Ss to take risks daily. #ElemMathChat
A4: Questions and discussions deepen mathematical understandings! Ss can learn so much from sharing thinking with T & other Ss. Questioning in the math classroom allows Ss to work through and make meaning #ElemMathChat
A4: I like all of them. I love love love the one about mistakes and challenges being good for the brain. I hate just seeing kids coloring a math sheet on the first day. Kids are just being compliant at that point. #ElemMathChat
A4: Hands down my favorite is “Math is about creativity and making sense”. Once students understand math makes sense, the sky is the limit! #ElemMathChat
A5: I think when we offer students multiple methods and multiple answers, we allow them to make sense in a way that matches their creativity and thinking--like when you do a WODB. Many correct ways to look at it. Ss just need to be able to explain why! #ElemMathChat
A5 I think the more opportunities that students have to work on open-ended tasks and realize that there are many entry points, the more they will see math as creative. #ElemMathChat
A5: Great question! I think one way is to find opportunities for less calculation & answer-getting activities. More time for sense-making like @WODBMath and @Estimation180#elemmathchat
A5: wow..this is a tough one! We need to continue to find ways for kids to be active and engaged in the learning process at a conceptual level to develop deeper connections to hold on too. Stop telling them....let them discover. #ElemMathChat
A5: To foster this norm students need plenty of time to grapple with problems, explore, and do hands on work. They also need to be exposed to how their peers make sense of problems. Open ended and low floor, high ceiling tasks can help foster this mindset! #elemmathchat
I love mistakes in math class and make sure students know we all make them, even me!! We learn from them and they are valuable in our learning and growing!! #elemmathchat
To some, saying math is creative evokes ideas of making math like art projects...
Instead of just listing these norms, our Ss need to experience things that are mathematically creative. Often this means the problems we should provide need to be open enough for Ss
#Elemmathchat
Creativity and making sense take time. Sometimes...lots of it. To foster this norm we need to recognize when we don’t need to rush to finish the lesson. We need to learn how recognize those moments when it is okay to just dwell rather than to move on.
#ElemMathChat
A5 I use this video when I do the WIM number visuals lesson. We create and display our own tessellations https://t.co/DppeeSCo4F
This is a great way to intro this norm in my opinion. My Ss LOVE it! #ElemMathChat
A5: asking students for their thinking and problem solving rather than what they got for an answer so the emphasis is on the problem solving and not the answer #Elemmathchat
Yes! I also think this emphasizes the need for PLAY, counting collections and tinkering in the math classroom! Play is an opportunity for creativity to take over! #elemmathchat
A5: I think tasks like Which One Doesn't Belong? can help students get a feel for this norm because there isn't one right answer. You have a lot of room to make sense and work on a true statement. #ElemMathChat
4A Hard time picking b/w whole bottom row. This has resonated w/me as I’ve struggled through stats course this summer. It was short course so speed required + visualizing stats concepts doesn’t come easily for me. So I put myself in mental space of struggling Ss. #elemmathchat
The more open a problem is... the more creative our Ss can be...the more differentiated learning is...the more important observations/conversations become...the more important it is to have students learn WITH and FROM each other.
These are directly related!
#elemmathchat
A3 For fourth grade and up, my Solution Squad digital comic makes a great read along, introducing math-themed superheroes! Try the first one for free! https://t.co/N9HLcEZcxu#ElemMathChat
A5 Give Ss time to grapple with a problem & finish. Share how they solved it. Then ask them to try again but use different tools/path to solve. #elemmathchat
A5: Sense making and reasoning can be promoted through facilitating mathematical conversations and discussions...like “math fights” @MrOrr_geek#ElemMathChat
A6: students like that need to know that it’s not about just “getting math vs not getting math”... it’s about working towards understanding, about working through things that are tough & being better bc of it #Elemmathchat
The more open a problem is... the more creative our Ss can be...the more differentiated learning is...the more important observations/conversations become...the more important it is to have students learn WITH and FROM each other.
These are directly related!
#elemmathchat
Some Ss don’t feel “invited” to learn math. While there are many activities that help make this better, I also think we need be thoughtful about the experiences we offer that benefits some over others (competitive tasks, timed tasks) as well as WHO we ask share
#Elemmathchat
A6 repeatedly celebrate mistakes and keep the peer feedback & discussions the focus. Reinforce celebrating what they did well and what next steps are #Elemmathchat
A6. Want to provide more time for teachers to plan together, learn more about their students together, and build a collection of low-floor, high-ceiling tasks together. #elemmathchat
A6 Constantly expressing growth mindset messages within our classrooms and in our staff mtgs. Doing activities like Splat where everyone can engage at their readiness level. #elemmathchat
A6: I like it when @mburnsmath said something like, "every S answer answers some question." Helping students make sense of where their answer came from will help them all feel a part of the learning. #ElemMathChat
I love when you said, "...learn more about their students together..." That's so crucial. I'm not just here to teach them math, but to know them as well. #ElemMathChat
A6: My go-to is #notice#wonder. It allows STUDENTS to drive the conversation. Important for all Ss to access rich mathematics while including each & every S. We were exploring 100 grid & S who was “cognitively delayed” made some of the most brilliant observations. #elemmathchat
