I’ve shared before how you can respond to parents who question new math, but how do we help them understand it? Like it or not, math instruction is likely not going to move back to the old “do it this way and don’t think about why” way of thinking. So, how we do help parents understand how to support their…
Common core math, or new math, if you don’t use common core, isn’t all that new anymore. However, many teachers still struggle with being sure they are fully teaching each standard. It can be tricky because common core standards are deep, not wide. Each grade level strand is designed to push our students to dive deeply into it. Instead of…
How can you be sure that you are fully addressing all aspects of each common core math standard? That is the question that I asked myself when I created my Activities by the Standard resources for first grade and second grade. I’ve created resources that helps you streamline your instruction, reduce planning time, and ensures that you address every aspect…
Interactive Notebooks are not new, but in recent years they’ve become more and more popular. Interactive notebooks are used to allow students to express their creativity as they are learning throughout the year. They can be used for class notes, practice, and to show mastery of concepts, but the key part of interactive notebooks, and why they are so useful…
Have you ever had a parent point to the fact that their child was struggling on “new math” or questioned the “crazy” or “illogical” ways that their child is learning? What about a parent who just doesn’t understand why the kids can’t learn how to do things the “normal” way, like they did when they were in school? I’ve been there…