Janice Vaughn

Ten Ways to Strengthen the Mathematics in Your Classroom

I am a first grade teacher who had the privilege of collaborating with other first grade teachers to develop and write the new math curriculum for the University City School District. This journey included reading the “Best Practice” books and researching the latest trends in teaching mathematics.

The objective is to understand the ways that teachers can strengthen the mathematics in their classroom. I have listed ten strategies that have helped me improve as a mathematics teacher.

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10 Ways to Strengthen the Mathematics in Your Classroom

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1 Create a mathematics environment

2 Plan to connect with parent about

mathematics

3 Research mathematics websites for

students

4 Supply mathematics manipulatives

5 Have students explain their thinking in

mathematics

6 Seek opportunities for professional

growth in mathematics

7 Encourage collaboration around problem

solving in mathematics

8 Integrate mathematics in all subjects

9 Model teacher authentic thinking in

mathematics

10 Share your success in mathematics

Create a Mathematics Environment

Suggestions:

Build a seasonal mathematic theme bulletin board

List careers in mathematics

Post a real-world mathematical problem of the day or week

Monthly “Show and Tell” in Mathematics

Fill your classroom with examples of

mathematics being used in the real world.

Estimate how many jelly beans are in the

jar?

Connect with parents:

• provide monthly newsletters about current mathematical topics and vocabulary.

• host a parent night to introduce mathematical curriculum

Research Mathematics Websitesfor Students

There are several research-based mathematical websites for students to use at school and home. Click on the links

to view the websites and their contents.

http://www.discoveryeducation.com

Probes and Interventions

http://www.mathmagician.org

Math fluency

http://www.ABCYA.com

Learning math games

http://www.xtramath.com

Learning math games

http://www.coolmath4kids.com

Learning math games

http://www.IXL.com

Learning math games

Teacher Should:

Take an inventory of materials to make a student set of manipulatives

Organize your manipulatives according to your mathematic topics

Model proper use of the manipulatives

Students Should:

Follow expectations for taking care of manipulatives

Explore manipulatives for proper use

Turn-and talk about what they learned from modeling

Have Students Explain their Thinking in Mathematics

Use Rigorous Questioning

• Explain your thinking?

• Why do you think that?

• Why? How?

• What strategy did you use?

Check for Understanding IATsUse non verbal informal assessment techniques:

Empire – one student answers the question; the other students agree or disagree with non-verbal cues.Thumbs Up- students use thumb in up position for agreeing, down position for disagreeing, and side-to-side for I don’t know.Dry Erase boards – students answer using dry erase boards.

Seek Opportunities for Professional Growth in Mathematics

Suggested Reading:

• Better Learning –Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey

A Framework for the Gradual Release of

Responsibility

Encourage Collaboration Around Problem Solving in Mathematics

• Model how to collaborate around math.

• Teach students the dialogue and social rules.

• View video on using

Kagan Strategies.

• https://youtu.be/S0s_qxJDuas

Integrate MathematicsAcross the Curriculum

Model Teacher AuthenticThinking in Mathematics

Teacher models thinking for students during problem-solving opportunities.

Sample of teacher solving a problem using authentic thinking…

Problem:

Amy needs to bring 2 cookies for each of her classmates. There are 15 students in her class. How many cookies?

“I will make a plan to solve this problem. First, I will read the problem again to make sure I pick out the important details. Next, I will analyze the problem to see if I add, subtract, multiply, or divide. I will make a number sentence for 15 X 2 = ? I will do this because Amy needs to bring 2 cookies for each student and there are 15 students. Then, I will make a picture of students with two cookies each. Next, I will count the cookies to double check my answer. Finally, I will write a sentence that tells how many cookies Amy will bring. Amy will bring 30 cookies for all her classmates.”

We did it!