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

Number Talks

Have you read Number Talks: Helping Children Build Mental Math and Computation Strategies, Grades K-5 by Sherry Parrish?  It is a great read if you are looking to build your students math abilities.

I was lucky enough to receive on through my county and I am so happy I did.  It has changed some of my thinking about math instruction :)  If you can get the book, I suggest you do...but if not I have a few other resources I think you should check out.

First, check out Cathy Young's article Implementing Number Talks Helpful Hints and Number Talks: What is it?

Then check out these sites that have lessons to watch!! Inside Mathematics: Number Talks & Math Solutions: Video Clips

In my classroom, we start everyday with a Number Talk.  I have a problem waiting for them on the board.  They read the problem and mentally try to solve it.  When they have a sum they hold their hand against their heart and put a finger up.  Then they try to solve it a different way.  For each way they use to solve the problem a finger goes up.  I call for answers and take them all right or wrong. Then the students are given the opportunity to share how they solved the problem.  They talk us through it while I document it on the board.  Then we move on to another students way.  

The goal is to have students use Mental Math.  We know in first grade that will happen but first we need major scaffolding.  So you can also tie it to journaling.  I have a couple scenarios (Number Talks) for your class to try out.  At first they will look at you like your crazy but once they understand the concept they will get so excited for the daily Number Talk!

Number Talks for a Week

This was a short and sweet post but I hope you get down and dirty and follow the links to learn more about Number Talks!!