Singapore Math Intensive Institute

I've just finished an amazing week at SDE's National Conference for Singapore Math.  I met teachers who are so devoted to finding ways to reach their children and teach them conceptually.  By Thursday, our brains were full, but we pushed on.  I was so sorry to miss the sessions on Friday, but my niece's wedding is Sat. and missing any part would have created major family drama.  I've heard Jana Hazekamp hit her lesson out of the park.  I haven't heard about Char Forsten's lesson yet, but I know Char well enough to know it was great.

The next big event is with Dr. Yeap Ban Har.  He'll be in Houston on Aug. 2-3, and the Chicago area on Aug. 6-7.  Ban Har is from Singapore and has served in a variety of roles there, including training their teachers and, currently working for Marshall Cavendish, the Singapore Math publisher.  I've had the pleasure of learning with him before.  If you have the chance to attend, grab it.  He teaches in depth and with intention.  You'll think about what you learn from him for months, if not years.  You will be changed and it will impact your teaching.

I know this is short notice....so if you can't make it, think about our National Conference in Las Vegas for 2013!  He'll be there for 2 days (and it's at the Venetian again!)

Number Bonds and Improper Fractions

Fractions are so challenging to our students.  We need to make sure we teach conceptually from the beginning and take our time.  This is a lesson I've taught many times with 4th graders who already know about number bonds.  It really helps them learn about how to turn improper fractions into mixed numbers.

Fifth Grade Model Drawing

This problem came to me from some friends.  It's got a "hidden question" that you have to answer before you can answer the stated question.  I also show the array model of multiplication here instead of the traditional algorithm.

I do lots of professional reading, in lots of forms.  I read blogs, professional journals, spend way too much time on Pinterest, and even tear myself away from my ipad to read real books.  I'm so excited about Small Steps, Big Changes.  Chris Confer and Marco Ramirez have written a very practical book about some ways to make changes in school cultures.  This book, written from the perspective of a teacher, an administrator, and a math coach, would make a meaningful book study for leadership teams, district (math) coach teams, or even a whole school.  It's an easy read, highlighting eight practices:

• Keep the end in mind
• Understand the problem
• The stance of a researcher (Making tough decisions)
• The 80/20 rule (Making decisions for the good of 80%)
• Patterns of talk (in the classrooms, the halls, and the teachers' lounge!)
• Patterns in Content
• Patterns in Instruction
• Intentionality

While this book focuses on math, it's really about change.  It's a great book to pick up over the summer.  I promise you'll be pondering these important ideas.

How I Justify Spending Time on Pinterest

I admit it.  I spend way too much time on Pinterest!  BUT it's usually time pretty well spent.  I use the search tool to look for fractions, division, or Singapore Math.  And there's lots of good content out there.  Pinterest is a way of bookmarking good websites to the cloud--with a visual and social component!  You can follow my boards (lots of them are math related!) as a way to get started.  If you get bored, look at the Humor and Wisdom Board!!

Summer Math Ideas

In Houston, the thermometer is already pushing 90 and it's beginning to feel a lot like summer.  I love the blog Mind Shift and first read this NY Times blog article on that site.  These are great ideas for summer OR sparks for ideas using current events during the year, especially after testing.  Enjoy!

http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/25/these-days-are-numbered-eight-summer-math-ideas/

How Would You (or your class) Draw This?

David weighed 240 pounds on Earth and 40 pounds on the moon. How much would Steven weigh on the moon if he weighs 180 pounds on Earth?

This problem was presented to an 8th grade class.  I think model drawing makes it much more accessible to students in a lower grade.  Here's how I solved it!