Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Beginning of the Year Math

When I think about first grade math, I think about addition and subtraction.  I think about the stage of each learner: concrete, representational, or abstract.  I think about strategies. I think about fluency.

I started out using our math series and quickly put it back.  I found out that I should also be thinking about depth and breadth.  It made me think about starting off  in a different way.  Here's what I'm doing now to encourage math fluency, strategies, and depth and breadth:

1. Number Talks- math fluency, strategies
This is a short time, in which you show a problem quickly and the students mentally solve.  I ask, "What did you see?  How did you see it?"  This gets the students doing mental math! and it has them explaining their thinking, which directly ties to strategies.  Read more about Number Talks here:  Number Talks Build Numerical Reasoning

2. Open-ended Math Problems- math fluency, strategies and depth and breadth
Immediately I saw that my students do not know how to read and reason with math word problems.  This is one of our most important math standards.  It helps students with reasoning and knowing what to do is essential.  I knew I needed to teach my students to use the reading & math strategies they already have to understand how to plan, solve and check tricky word problems.
OH.MY.WORD using open-ended questions has been the BEST formative assessment I could have ever used.  What strategies do they have?  Are they in concrete, representational, or abstract phase?  Do they have math fact fluency?  Do they understand how to read a problem?  It has opened my eyes in a new way.  I feel like I'm starting off the year really understanding each child's mathematical abilities.  

I have some problems for you here:  OpenEndedMath.  Pages 1-4 have differentiated addition problems on the top and bottom.  Pages 5-8 have differentiated subtraction problems on two separate pages.  

After I created a few problems, I went on TPT and bought Emmy Mac Shop's A Year of Monthly Open Ended Problems.  This is a bundle but you can also buy it separately.  I am very impressed with the quality and am glad I splurged on the bundle!



3. Math Running Records- math strategies, fluency 
I saw and then quickly bought The Classroom Key's Math Running Records, Addition and Subtraction.  I have always loved starting the year by listening to the readers in my room and conducting a running record.  So when I saw this fabulous idea, I knew I wanted to try it.  And it is AH.MAZ.ING!!  It really helps you grasp what your student gets and what they need help on.  I also loved that I could see how long it took each child to solve the problems.  Now that I have finished (just today), I am ready to use the data to help create groups.  This tells you WAY MORE than a math series beginning of the year test...and it helps you get started right away!


I hope you find these tips helpful!  I feel that I finally understand the mathematicians in my class.  I know that our math time will be more meaningful and focused.

Have a lovely night,
Jen

16 comments:

  1. This is great! Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for all the tips mentioned in this article! it’s always good to read things you have looking for antivirus security for your PC and any other digital devices than. Visit@: my sites :- office.com/myaccount |
    www.office.com/myaccount |
    office.com/setup |
    www.office.com/setup |
    office setup.

    ReplyDelete



  3. Pretty article! I found some useful information in your blog, it was awesome to read, thanks for sharing this great content to my vision, keep sharing.i also want to share about One of the best sap s4 hana training . expecting more articles from you.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
    mental health billing

    ReplyDelete
  5. i am always looking for some free stuffs over the internet. there are also some companies which gives free samples.
    Mental health billing services

    ReplyDelete
  6. Someone Sometimes with visits your blog regularly and recommended it in my experience to read as well. The way of writing is excellent and also the content is top-notch. Thanks for that insight you provide the readers!
    Mental health billing services

    ReplyDelete
  7. Pretty article! I found some useful information in your blog, it was awesome to read, thanks for sharing this great content to my vision, keep sharing.

    python Training in chennai

    python Course in chennai

    ReplyDelete
  8. many business events particularly in specialized medical and academic fields charge sustainable registration fees it is hard to put a price on peer-to-peer networking. event marketing and inspirational planner quotes

    ReplyDelete
  9. Activate your device by visit www.roku.com/link or roku.com/link , it provides the simplest way to stream entertainment to your TV by just entering 5 Digits Roku Link Code. Roku also manufactures other devices that connect to a TV and display digital content, such as photos and MP3 music files with wifi Connection

    ReplyDelete
  10. eventprofs. Great contingency plans take into account that during service outages and normal means of communication may well be down also As a result and it’s important to ensure that everyone involved knows how to contact stakeholders via alternative methods of communication also That means having a master list of all stakeholders to be contacted in the event of a service outage. presenter biography and free online registration software

    ReplyDelete
  11. Atomic Wallet is a non-custodial decentralized wallet. It means that you own your backup phrase and private keys, thus, you fully control your funds.
    atomic wallet | atomic wallet | kraken login | kraken login | kucoin login |

    ReplyDelete
  12. I like your post. It is good to see you verbalize from the heart and clarity on this important subject can be easily observed... Quantitative Reasoning Math

    ReplyDelete
  13. Rekordbox DJ Download. It indicates the experienced general overall performance as well as placed just about all DJs knowing in one pack. RekordBox Download Crackeado

    ReplyDelete
  14. We can speak that Mixed In Key Crack is an inspiring software which will allow you to mix your sounds simply. Mixed In Key 10 Free Download can be second-hand in mixture. Mixed In Key Free Download

    ReplyDelete

***