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.
Well. 4th grade is a lot of place value, fractions, mult, div and in Missouri that is supposed to be 50% of our year. But it takes more like 70% of our year to teach. What gets left out?
A1 for grade 8 I notice scatterplots is a supporting cluster and 3D volume which I fret about is ranked even lower than it...and the yearly battle w integer exponents continues. #ElemMathChat
#Elemmathchat I notice that many of the priority stds are conceptually nec for the next grade level. I wonder how ignoring the others affects long term learning
A1: I've always wanted a clearer definition of "supporting" and "additional." Hard to convey those terms to Ts without them interpreting as "not important" #elemmathchat
#Elemmathchat I notice that many of the priority stds are conceptually nec for the next grade level. I wonder how ignoring the others affects long term learning
A1 I notice I spend A LOT of time on what is considered an additional cluster I wonder why it is considered so when it is foundational for major cluster. #ElemMathChat
So true! I always tell Ts that it doesn't mean we can vote them off the island! We'll talk more about how to integrate work that isn't a "priority"! #ElemMathChat
My teachers want to teach the supporting or additional instead of more important. Eek. Itâs what theyâve always done. And fractions are hard. #elemmathchat
A1 continued. I wonder if state testing looks at these. My Ss told me volume of sphere was on it and I barely got that in before testing. #ElemMathChat
Hi friend! I have had some holy poop moments this week, but it has been good. I was diagnosed with strep today so my week is over. I am okay though How are you? #ElemMathChat
A1: Notice: Each grade relies on prior grades as foundations. Wonder: How much material is not hit/lost going to the next grade? Are Ss already behind going into 1st grade? Is there a grade that has a bigger "jump" than the others? #elemmathchat
Q2: In your grade level/grade span, what are some topics that you wish got more of the spotlight? What is it about these topics that make them engaging for students to learn & teachers to teach? #ElemMathChat
And the supporting/additional work seems to stay that way throughout the grade levels too. Would be easy for one grade to say "someone else must be teaching it" #elemmathchat
A2: I love teaching geometry. When I taught 5th grade several years ago, geometry was a much larger part of the 5th grade standards. There were so many opportunities for hands on engaging lessons. #elemmathchat
I teach Ss w/ disabilities who come to me with almost no # sense when we spend time with the multiples & factors we develop x and division understanding and fluency that is totally lacking at beginning of year #ElemMathChat
A2: I wish there was more emphasis on generating and analyzing patterns to show that math is the study of patterns. Hopefully w/ Ss seeing that, math wouldn't be so scary. #elemmathchat
A2: Because of state testing pressure, Ts feel rushed so Ss use procedures to get right answers but don't have conceptual under. No foundation to build on for future concepts. #elemmathchat
I would also love to spend more time with measurement and data. There are so many stds that are important because they are basic life skills but they are often pushed aside and not given much time. i.e. telling time, counting money, and reading graphs. #elemmathchat
A2: Fractions. I think teachers are scared of them and donât understand them well. Early grades build foundations of halves and fourths, 3rd has time to continue foundation. But then 4th is so packed it gets left behind. #elemmathchat
Q2: In your grade level/grade span, what are some topics that you wish got more of the spotlight? What is it about these topics that make them engaging for students to learn & teachers to teach? #ElemMathChat
Q3: Letâs focus on geometry. In the K-8 CCSS, the standards in the geometry domain do not appear as major work of any grade level until 8th grade. (Before 8th grade they are considered supporting or additional work) What are the implications of this? #ElemMathChat
And teachers rush to fit in all the major standards before spring testing time, leaving the rest for after or to be squished in a couple weeks before. #elemmathchat
True, I loved teaching 2-D shapes, line symmetry vs. rotational symmetry, sum of interior angles of triangles and quadrilaterals, diagonals, and more. I really miss all of these topics in our previous geometry unit. #elemmathchat
A2 I wish ALL grades got more emphasis on Algebraic thinking Patterns, relationships conjectures about rule for number x is amazing for prob. solving, critical thinking, life! For me it is the beautiful of math Like Fibonacci sequence! #ElemMathChat
A2. There is very little actual measuring. Second grade spends time on choosing unit, etc. Beyond that they are just expected to measure. #elemmathchat
I feel like especially for 3rd and 4th, fractions show up mid-2nd trimester and get crammed in before testing. I wish we had time to teach it more thoughtfully! #ElemMathChat
We spend almost all of 3rd quarter on fractions in 3rd grade. We have to make sure Ss have a strong foundation in fractions since they are play such a large role in 4th and 5th grades. #elemmathchat
Yes! @howie_hua, you mentioned this too! I think so much of the wonder & beauty of math is in the patterns and relationships. All students could benefit from more focus there! #ElemMathChat
A3: since itâs not a focus ss donât really take it seriously. Donât always take time to learn shape names and properties because Its not a priority #ElemMathChat
#elemmathchat
A3 I think a lot of important concepts come up when exploring shapes with little ones:
spatial reasoning
partitioning
fractions
part/part/whole thinking
decomposing & composing
patterns
sorting
A3 Geometry is also foundational! With out spatial sense, visualization and visually manipulating images Ss will struggle in all areas of academics, seeing things from diff. perspective #ElemMathChat
A3: This actually leaves some students behind who are spatial kids. There are a lot of other math domains that can be taught through Geo. #elemmathchat
A3: I like to do scavenger hunts w/ my Ss to have them start looking for math outside the classroom. Geometry is integral if we want Ss to do this.
There are a lot of problems that can be solved geometrically, but Ss feel like it's a weaker argument (but it's not). #elemmathchat
Yes they are definitely still necessary skills. I went to a store a few months ago and paid cash. The cashier put in the wrong amount into the cash register and had no clue how to figure out the change without the machine. That's not ok. #elemmathchat
Yes. We are trying to light a fire and get more of a sense of urgency in these grades. Then we need to help 3rd/4th understand their thinking. #elemmathchat
I notice and wonder why the concepts that easily encourage creativity and engagement are less of a priority than number outcomes. Maybe if educators started with what is obviously creative in math, students could build on that creativity in less obvious areas. #ElemmathChat
I always wondered why geometry was an additional cluster in 1st because it introduces fractional parts of shapes--first exposure to fractions! #ElemmathChat
@MrsNewell22 This is the first time I have seen this list. I was under the impression all standards were high priority. I'm glad our teachers haven't seen it. #elemmathchat
But at what grade level? Coins are actually concrete and representational...can be very difficult for 5 and 6-year-olds to navigate prior to strong NS. #elemmathchat
A4: I think the area model of mult/div is the most powerful model that reappears throughout the Ss math journeys all the way up to polynomials. So, so powerful! #elemmathchat
I always wondered why geometry was an additional cluster in 1st because it introduces fractional parts of shapes--first exposure to fractions! #ElemmathChat
Subitizing is Geometry based with visualizing and spatial sense. In OK that starts in K standards. I think T need to see how our standards are clustered now instead of content stranded #ElemMathChat
Right now most of counting money is taught in 2nd grade, but it is connected to decimals so Ts could use money to teach decimals in 4th and 5th to make the content easier for them access. #elemmathchat
A geometric figure is shown for 3 sec, Ss told, draw what you saw, give another quick look, & drawing prompt, may repeat if need image projected & Ss share orally what they saw & explain how they drew it. It is rich in vocab. & ANY Geom content T wants to explore ##elemmathchat
A3: It's all about context. We can teach every domain but w/o context Ss cannot make sense of math and see how it relates to their world! #elemmathchat
It makes sense to intro pennies and dimes in K-1 as they are learning about the concept of 10. But I'm not sure about nickels and quarters at that age. #elemmathchat
So I think the reality is that there are certain topics that are always going to get more attention than others. I find that this document helps with that prioritizing, w/ the message that it doesn't mean we don't teach these things at all! #ElemMathChat
Have been slowly getting more vertical teaming in our district and teachers love it. They find so many ways to connect to previous learning #elemmathchat
Q5: Building on Q4, where have you been able to find opportunities to bring geometry concepts into the major work of your grade level? How do you integrate it meaningfully? (or how do you âsneak it inâ?) #ElemMathChat
#Elemmathchat I think we should have a goal of learning how to most effectively teach all, but decisions must be made as Ts navigate their own learning in the stds. If you focus on problem solving all the way, you minimize gaps for Ss.đ
A4 Here is the 6G Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving area, surface area, and volume Can't do any of this without strong # sense developed though doing real math w/ connections #ElemMathChat
A4: I think the area model of mult/div is the most powerful model that reappears throughout the Ss math journeys all the way up to polynomials. So, so powerful! #elemmathchat
Q5: Building on Q4, where have you been able to find opportunities to bring geometry concepts into the major work of your grade level? How do you integrate it meaningfully? (or how do you âsneak it inâ?) #ElemMathChat
Q5 you could sneak some good vocab modeling in by posting geometric shapes around the building where you often are waiting in the hall with Ss. We have WODB geometry posters in hallways #elemmathchat
A5: We try and categorize things as much as we can. We talk about inclusive and exclusive properties. We look at pictures to see what we âseeâ in them. #elemmathchat
A5: I always think about geometric ways of solving problems that might be easier than an algebraic approach to show Ss that geometry may be the easier route. Case in point: #elemmathchat
Agreed, and so easy to integrate. I struggle with when it is dev appropriate to ask ss to navigate representations like this before establishing strong NS. Not data -
data is always a go!
#elemmathchat
A5: Several geometry standards relate to major standards. K-2 have geo standards related to fractions that is key for 3rd grade fractions. #elemmathchat
Q6: One of my favorite routines that can bring geometry into the classroom is Which One Doesnât Belong? So⌠which one doesnât belong, & why? #ElemMathChat#WODB@Trianglemancsd
Me too...lets get firm in addition strategies before we ask them to work on addition in a representational format. Some resources use N for Nickel, pic, etc when Ss are still learning composite 5 and 10. #elemmathchat
A6: From some 4th grade Ss: "The L doesnât belong because it doesnât have any acute angles.â
âThe L doesnât belong because it doesnât have any slanted lines." #ElemMathChat
Q6: One of my favorite routines that can bring geometry into the classroom is Which One Doesnât Belong? So⌠which one doesnât belong, & why? #ElemMathChat#WODB@Trianglemancsd
A6: the rectalinear figure doesn't belong becaise it has more than 3 or 4 sides and has more angles than all the other shapes. â my vocab...is that the correct name?? #elemmathchat
A6: And my favorite one... "âThe L doesnât belong because I donât have a name for that shape.â (Student was comfortable calling the bottom right shape a quadrilateral. We had a discussion about the L being a hexagon.) #ElemMathChat
The only standard that calls for counting in 1st is NBT.1 which is counting to 120. They must also be able to add and subtract multiples of 10 but there are not skip counting standards in 1st. They skip count by 5, 10, and hundreds in 2nd. #elemmathchat
Q7: Which geometry concepts were at the heart of our #WODB conversation? What opportunities for language development were there in this routine? What other routines have you tried that highlight geometry? #ElemMathChat
You don't have to! Just ask Ss what they notice and wonder and ask them what they think the next image would look like and explain their thinking:) #elemmathchat
In reply to
@LybryaKebreab, @MissMath_Teach, @themathgirl, @tessakaplan84, @fawnpnguyen
#elemmathchat Classifying polygons. Ss would have to specifically know the diff between several quads and the hexagon. Love that the hex was irregular!! Also, an opportunity for geo notation and symbols!!
Q7: Which geometry concepts were at the heart of our #WODB conversation? What opportunities for language development were there in this routine? What other routines have you tried that highlight geometry? #ElemMathChat
Q8: While geometry may not be the star of the show in grades K-5, there are ways we can invite it on stage!
Whatâs your biggest takeaway from our chat tonight? #ElemMathChat
Top right doesnât belong because itâs only:
-one with exactly 1 line of symmetry
-Hexagon
-one with 3 pairs of congruent sides
-one with a reflex angle
-concave shape
-one to look like a room in my school
-one with multiple right angles
#elemmathchat
Would they have to "know" the difference, or might having a group doing it get some of them to realize that there ARE differences? (My real point is don't think you have to "pre-teach" so that they can do a specific thing. Just do it and see what happens.) #ElemMathChat
#elemmathchat That persevering is not only for Ss. Teaching is a constant process of growing, pruning and watering!! I love that geo is starting to get the respect it deserves in secondary math!!
Q8: While geometry may not be the star of the show in grades K-5, there are ways we can invite it on stage!
Whatâs your biggest takeaway from our chat tonight? #ElemMathChat
A8: My take away is that although geometry is a "supporting" standard, we must provide opportunities to integrate the geometry concepts into other parts of the curriculum to help students build a strong foundation. #elemmathchat
A7 math pickle also has a lot of puzzles that combine geometric concepts with number concepts - ninja bedbugs, Mondrian puzzles, fractured fraction puzzles that #elemmathchat@gamesbygordhttps://t.co/TfsfCxpgv2,
#elemmathchat
A8 Math is not a bunch of isolated topics. They are connected and when students get to explore, the relationship between and among topics become stronger
A8 We need to find ways to integrate the supporting standards through routines, which eases some of the "rush" to get through all the standards and results in more time that can be spent on the major clusters #elemmathchat
A8
Actually, Iâm surprised how little Geometry is included in CC standards. We do lots of geometry here in Ontario.
I wish that everyone saw connections between number and space. Geometry can help us make these connections!! #elemmathchat
