What the Heck is a Rekenrek?
Rekenreks are a manipulative often used in primary grades. You will see that STEMscopes references them in many lessons. For many of us, this is a new tool. Check out …
Addition/Subtraction Triangle Fact Cards
This video shows how Triangle Fact cards can be used to build quick recall with addition and related subtraction facts. These cards take the place of traditional flash cards, and …
Solving with Multiple Methods
If you are familiar with the Common Core Progressions documents, you may recognize the name Bill McCallum. He is a Common Core Standards author as well as an author of …
Reboot Your Regrouping Reteach!
What is the one math concept that you still feel students have not quiet mastered in second grade? “Regrouping,” you say. Well before you pull another small group to line …
Math Journaling in Kindergarten
Check out this video on using Math Journal in Kindergarten as a tool for informal formative assessment!
Building Math Talk
As part of the Standards for Mathematical Practice, students should be able to construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. Check out the video below to think about …
Assessing Mathematical Fluency
It is the end of the school year. You’ve spent time and energy teaching various math concepts so that your students have a conceptual understanding of content. Students in your …
Stop Perpetuating Math Anxiety
“Do not worry about your difficulties in mathematics; I assure you that mine are greater.” – Albert Einstein Are teachers increasing students’ anxiety levels in mathematics, especially as state testing …
Subitizing and Shapes
Check out this video by Graham Fletcher on connecting subtizing and geometry! https://gfletchy.com/fresh-ideas/
Using 5 frames to build fluency
By the end of Kindergarten, students are required to fluently add and subtract within 5. Throughout the year, students have built conceptual understanding of addition and subtraction through joining and …
1st grade HCTM Problem of the Month Winner February Edition!
Congratulations to the 1st grade winner of the Problem of the Month competition for February! The winner is Abigail from Gitlin/Shepard classroom at Trapnell Elementary.
13 rules that expire in Math!
Have you ever heard someone say, “When you multiply, your product is always greater than your factors”, “When you divide, your quotient is always less than your dividend and divisor.” …
How Does Teacher Language Affect Student Learning?
Quick, but interesting read on how our descriptions and language used to describe student learning and goals could potentially affect student learning. For instance, when we describe a certain skill …
Joining and separating….using actions to understand addition and subtraction
According to MAFS.K.OA.1.1, students in kindergarten are required to, “Represent addition and subtraction with objects, fingers, mental images, drawings, sounds (e.g., claps), acting out situations, verbal explanations, expressions, or equations.” …
Make a Ten Card Game
MAFS.K.OA.1.4, states that, “For any number from 1 to 9, find the number that makes 10 when added to the given number, e.g., by using objects or drawings, and record …
Using real world math to build an understanding of addition and subtraction concepts!
Students are naturally inquisitive and observant! Why not use these characteristics to teach new concepts! One-way to utilize students problem solving abilities is through Three-Act-Tasks. Three-Act-Tasks allows students to draw …
Progression of Addition and Subtraction
The Progression of Addition and Subtraction is a wildly discussed topic in elementary schools. It is important that we do not rush students’ understanding of the operations. Learning should be …
Progression of Fractional Understanding
I won’t say too much here, because the time reading this could be better spent watching the video. 🙂 However, keep in mind, no matter what grade you are teaching, …
Teach for Understanding
Check out this quick video on teaching concepts through concrete and pictorial models to increase understanding.
Depth of Knowledge Matrix for Elementary Mathematics
You may have read our earlier post “FSA-Preparing for Context Complexities” about the connection between Webb’s Depth of Knowledge complexity levels and the FSA. This post alluded to the importance …