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.
Prayers for all! My daughter and I are scheduled to visit Charlotte UNC in about at month. It is surreal to be watching this from afar, not able to help, and being so uncertain about so much of the future. thus we pray! #ElemMathChat
A2 school culture is influenced by the diff team dynamics - I think the more the culture within teams is to grow, learn, and collaborate, the more teams influence positively for the school
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My week has been amazing. I have the best Ss, we are doing beautiful math. I think the November election will determine how things are in OK edu. We still have no additional ed funding past this school year. #ElemMathChat
A3 the driving force is that we all are here to learn, grow, and support teachers and students--we all bring diff things to the team.
We have a vision for what it possible with math. We want math to be engaging, fun, satisfying, and empowering.
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A2 team dynamics sets the tone for the entire school. The school team is like the parent team when raising a child. The team needs to be balanced, consistent, fun, fair............ all of the things good parents should be! #ElemMathChat
A3 My team is highly reflective. We don’t always agree or work as efficiently as we could but we look back on what we’ve done, adjust & grow #ElemMathChat
NIce. I wonder about challenges on teams when people are doing what they feel is best for kiddos but philosophies collide. How do we move past this when we both want what is best for kids?
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A3: the fact that we each take on a completely different role within the team seems to drive us most of the time. But each time members leave or join the team it takes time to balance out the dynamic again. #elemmathchat
A3 Our team is diverse, we recognize and appreciate each other's differences. We love learning from one another, even when we have differing opinions. We value learning, we value people, we are fueled by the same passion for teaching, and children #ElemMathChat
NIce. I wonder about challenges on teams when people are doing what they feel is best for kiddos but philosophies collide. How do we move past this when we both want what is best for kids?
#ElemMathChat
A3: the fact that we each take on a completely different role within the team seems to drive us most of the time. But each time members leave or join the team it takes time to balance out the dynamic again. #elemmathchat
I agree. I often hear things like “kindergarten is different” and it is but what might that do to the total culture to place K in a separate box? Just wondering. #ElemMathChat
A3 Our coaching team & supervisor are determined to turn our Ts & Ss into confident, number sense using mathematizers🤩Also our supervisor giving us freedom to take risks & follow our passions #elemmathchat
Why are you guys this way? IS this something you all talk about and agree to? What would happen if a new teammate joined the team and they were not?
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A3 Our team is diverse, we recognize and appreciate each other's differences. We love learning from one another, even when we have differing opinions. We value learning, we value people, we are fueled by the same passion for teaching, and children #ElemMathChat
Being willing to be wrong in public feels so important. IT disarms our peers and levels the playing field. We all have something to learn and teach! #ElemMathChat
If we are part of a team, I would be wondering WHO is learning and WHAT they are learning.
Hardest parts about teams, is that everyone wants to do their own part... how to disrupt this so real collaboration happens is difficult!
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I too am lucky enough to have a supervisor that trusts me and allows me to take risks. It is great when they recognize and honor your passion. #elemmathchat
We have gotten to know one another on a personal basis. We know and care about one another outside of school. I think we would embrace a new member, be excited to learn from them & share. Our group is age diverse, experience and subject diverse. We have talked! #ElemMathChat
A4 A golden retriever (surprise, surprise) bc I try to interact enthusiastically with the presenter & other participants; am eager to play and try new tricks! I refrain from jumping on laps, though #elemmathchat
Mostly self imposed, however my admin often gives us specific tasks that push us into a more appropriate role if she sees the need. She does it in such a smooth and non-obvious way that it works great. #elemmathchat
A4: I think a whale. I need to "come up for air" to take a moment and let everythig sink in. ( I agree with @nan_evans about leaving PD excited and refreshed) #ElemMathChat
Right! We have individual learning targets for ourselves and our varied students but the common goal of teaching a given grade/subject. How are people finding common ground for collaboration? #elemmathchat
If we are part of a team, I would be wondering WHO is learning and WHAT they are learning.
Hardest parts about teams, is that everyone wants to do their own part... how to disrupt this so real collaboration happens is difficult!
#elemmathchat
I learned the hard way that if I share too many great ideas all at once I overwhelm some teachers. So I hand out the ideas as they are ready ... Differentiated style for coaching I suppose. #elemmathchat
I was talking to a T recently about how to address the one person. Resistance comes from somewhere. What is at the root of the resistance? How do we get to that? #ElemMathChat
A4 I don't know any animal like me. What animal has OCD tendencies, a huge heart, expects excellence, doesn't like their time wasted, is eager to learn, thrives on efficiency, likes to talk and listen, and has a getter done mentality? I am stumped! #ElemMathChat
I was an outcast too Stephanie. I am not a bandwagon type of girl. I have to understand before I change. I am about children, positivity and progress and that has seemed to work for me. #ElemMathChat
I learned the hard way that if I share too many great ideas all at once I overwhelm some teachers. So I hand out the ideas as they are ready ... Differentiated style for coaching I suppose. #elemmathchat
A6: Isn't this similar to how open students are to learning in our classrooms? If our teaching style and presentation engages them, they are ready to learn anything you throw at them. Teachers are really not much different as professional learners. #elemmathchat
A6 The energy, thoughtfulness, and facilitation of PL influences my engagement. I appreciate being around people who are passionate, reflective and excited to share, listen, and learn.
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A6: Absolutely, we are all unique...at the same time, your mindset walking into PD can make a huge impact. Being “ok” with living in the uncomfortable is a very peaceful place to be, in my opinion. #ElemMathChat
A6 Spot on. I have been known to leave presentations if my time is not being well spent. Don't talk down to me, don't talk around the subject, don't over generalize, and GET ME INVOLVED in my learning. 😁#ElemMathChat
A6 I feel like there is something to learn in every setting. There are times that my goals are not aligned to the goals of a given session but I have to attend. What do you do when you are in this seat? #ElemMathChat
A6: I'm back, I keep getting side tracked...talking math through texting with my partner coach. I understand what this quote is saying...sometimes if the presenters are hard to follow it's hard to learn. HOWEVER, usually I make my own learning! #elemmathchat
A6 The energy, thoughtfulness, and facilitation of PL influences my engagement. I appreciate being around people who are passionate, reflective and excited to share, listen, and learn.
#elemmathchat
A6: Absolutely, we are all unique...at the same time, your mindset walking into PD can make a huge impact. Being “ok” with living in the uncomfortable is a very peaceful place to be, in my opinion. #ElemMathChat
A6 Spot on. I have been known to leave presentations if my time is not being well spent. Don't talk down to me, don't talk around the subject, don't over generalize, and GET ME INVOLVED in my learning. 😁#ElemMathChat
Q6: I am facilitating so when I get to be an attendee, I tend to want to sit and listen. (BTW, Carrie from FL, humid & thunderstorming, sorry I’m late) #elemmathchat
Oh my gosh, that is torturous! I would grin and bear it, while writing down counter points backed up by my favorite researchers and mathematicians probably. I think I could have been a lawyer! LOL! #ElemMathChat
A5 It’s like that video of the guy dancing with great abandon by himself at an outdoor concert. Next thing you know, there is a huge crowd of people having a blast dancing! #elemmathchat
I challenege myself to find at least one take away, no matter how small. It might be a take away about something I want to make sure I don't do in my own future presentations. I can find something useful or that I can tweak to make it work. #elemmathchat
I challenege myself to find at least one take away, no matter how small. It might be a take away about something I want to make sure I don't do in my own future presentations. I can find something useful or that I can tweak to make it work. #elemmathchat
OH MY...I have walked out before. I usually walk in and say to the presenter, "WHY SHOULD I BE HERE" If they don't have a good answer I leave. #elemmathchat@MNmMath
I agree - often, I reflect on my role as a presenter/PL leader and think about what I appreciate about how the session is being facilitated or how participants are being engaged. #elemmathchat
A5 When I’m sitting near ppl that actively participate & share thoughts and ideas I can be inspired in even a boring or redundant PD session #workit#ElemMathChat
#elemmathchat I am not sure I agree with this statement. I want to push back a little. I have a responsibility as a participant to engage myself in learning.
My friend @themathgirl does a great job of getting others excited to learn when she is in sessions. Love attending PD with her! She is the best! 😎 #elemmathchat
Something resonates with me here. I have been to presentations that were so entertaining but I didn’t really learn much and others that were a bit dry but so full of good stuff. It is about the content. #ElemMathChat
My friend @themathgirl does a great job of getting others excited to learn when she is in sessions. Love attending PD with her! She is the best! 😎 #elemmathchat
A6: I personally will get more out of an interactive engaging PD session. Since we want our kids learning to be fun and engaging, that also holds true for adults. I also enjoy PD if I have a choice of what I am learning. Overall, It's what you make of it. #ElemMathChat
Not gonna lie...most of my friends are embarrassed when I tell them I do that. BUT, if I'm at a GOOD CONFERENCE...I want good PD from people that are passionate and EXCITED. #elemmathchat
Who holds the responsibility of engaging is what I am hearing here Sarah. It should not lie in the hands of the facilitator alone. Yay to nah? #elemmathchat
#elemmathchat I am not sure I agree with this statement. I want to push back a little. I have a responsibility as a participant to engage myself in learning.
This makes me really think about what I do with teachers in PD because I want it to be meaningful and I'M sure I've been entertaining at times but my learning has been low. I really want to work on that this year. ESPECIALLY because I'm PRESENTING at NCTM. #elemmathchat
A5 When I’m sitting near ppl that actively participate & share thoughts and ideas I can be inspired in even a boring or redundant PD session #workit#ElemMathChat
Something resonates with me here. I have been to presentations that were so entertaining but I didn’t really learn much and others that were a bit dry but so full of good stuff. It is about the content. #ElemMathChat
Same here @RawdingMolly I can always learn more about being the presenter. Focusing on facilitator-participant interactions, reactions, pace, etc #ElemMathChat
Amen sister! A huge pet peeve is wasting my life! My first math class in college was math for elementary school teachers. All we did was elementary math problems, no pedagogy, no methods, nothing, just elementary math problems. That is when I discovered my petpeeve #ElemMathChat
A7 Just like with Ss, we refuse to be the sage on the stage with PDs & especially presentations to a large audience. We’re researching things like escape rooms, gamification, lead like a pirate- we have to ramp it!! #elemmathchat
A7: Sit up front. Smile. Ask questions. Empower them to share their expertise as it relates to the PD, recognizing their experiences as valuable ones. #elemmathchat
A7: Sit up front. Smile. Ask questions. Empower them to share their expertise as it relates to the PD, recognizing their experiences as valuable ones. #elemmathchat
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A7: bringing student work samples can be good conversation starters to talk about instructional practices. Student centered convos seems to be best.
Asking questions may crack the whole thing wide open. A presenter may have a ton of info about what you’d like to know about but doesn’t realize that’s what you’re hoping to discuss. I wish ppl would advocate more for themselves within PD #ElemMathChat
A7 Share my ideas. Ask more questions. Be optimistic about our work. We have a lot of challenges, but embracing the work together - and talk positively. Students can _____.
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A7: Offer them something they care about...listen to what their students are struggling with and follow up! Make sure to have SOMETHING you know they will jump on! #elemmathchat
A7 Preparation is key. We communicate before the session, share ideas to consider before arriving, have an agenda, have a goal, take notes, collaborate and listen. Food is always a plus too! Just sayin! #ElemMathChat
Awesome! Glad to hear it!
I love when the energy goes back and forth between participants and presenters - we learn together and it's so much fun to think of new ideas & questions.
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A7: For example yesterday teachers said my kids are struggling with the whole 2.4 x 10 being 24...I said...oh my oh my oh my...I have something for you! Let's count by 2.4 starting at 2.4 I'm going to write what you say and then we are going to notice patterns! #elemmathchat
A7 PART 2...so anyway. We did... 2.4 4.8 7.2 9.6 12.0 14.4 16.8 19.2 21.6 24.0 I had them arranged two columns with 5 of the numbers in each column. What do you think they noticed? It was what they needed. They liked it. #elemmathchat
