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"The essence of mathematics is not to make simple things complicated,
but to make complicated things simple." -S. Gudder
My main goal when teaching math is to encourage a positive attitude! Being someone who struggled with math as a child, I know how frustrating it can be to not understand. Therefore, I provide a safe and fun environment where students are guided and challenged! On Monday's the class will take a pretest on the chapter to give me an idea what areas are strong and what areas need improvement.
We start math by working on our daily math problem, which will be located in your child's math folder. We read the problem first, circle any numbers, and underline the question so our brains know right where to start thinking! We then solve the problem and show our work. As the year progresses, we will be working on writing how we found an answer to a problem and writing our steps out in sentences. This is an excellent way for them to retain what they have learned as well as catch any mistakes they might have made! They have to do this in third grade on the ISAT test so this is terrific practice!
When they are finished with their daily word problem, they will receive a "Show me What you Know" paper. This will cover the material from the previous day. I use this to monitor progress and see if they are retaining what they have learned! They turn it into their bin when they are finished.
Then it is Math Center time! Each child will have a math center folder and a center assignment for every day of the week! The first thing they will need to do is check to see what station they go to and then take their folder with them to that station. At each station I will have some form of assessment or way to maintain productivity! On Friday, I will collect their center folder so I can monitor participation and will send it home the following Monday! I will change the centers periodically but some of them will include:
Logic Links: Each logic link puzzle is comprised of a series of clues that instruct the user where to place colored chips and solve the puzzle. It requires you to think sideways, backwards, right to left and up and down as you read the clues that lead you to the one and only correct answer.
Noodlers: Use your noodle-and the sticks inside-to separate the groups of symbols on each puzzle into individual spaces. The instructions tell you how many or how few sticks you get to use! This is great for spatial learning and building problem solving skills.
Puzzles/ Pattern Blocks: These are 9 piece puzzles that Miss Negley even had a hard time with. The goal is to get all nine pieces to fit correctly. This is also a time to use the pattern blocks to create patterns!
Addition Adventures and Subtractions Secrets: They will improve their math skills by solving equations and then using the answers to create beautiful grid patterns or plot their paths through adventures!
Venn Perplexors and Perplexors: These are great ways to practice logic and critical thinking skills. The Venn Perplexors include a Venn diagram where students have to glue the pieces in the proper place. In Perplexors, they have to find the answer by process of elimination and each puzzle will categorize information and lists clues.
While students are in centers, this will be a time for me to pull any students who need extra help or an extra challenge. I love being able to meet with students one and one as well to see if there is anything they need or have questions about!
We wrap up math by going to the carpet and learning the new concept for the day and practicing with our classmates!
