Fun Times in the Math Classroom

This past Friday, August 26, 2011, we (my 1st graders and I) were working on our first math word problem.  This is what happened:  

Teacher:  If Bill ate one jelly bean on Sunday, two jelly beans on Monday, and three jelly beans on Tuesday, what do you think will happen on Wednesday?

1st Grade Student:  He will have lots of cavities.

Teacher:  True....but...

What interesting and funny stories happened to you in your math classroom this week?

Back to School: 4 Visible Maneuvers to Lead Students to Rise to Expectations

Have a student that just does not feel motivated to follow through classroom expectations?   My life in the classroom for the last 17 years has been quite a wonderful journey!  Teaching students from Pre-K through 6th grade as well as raising one of my nieces, I have most certainly seen my fair share of happenings.  Here are the top 4 visible maneuvers to lead students to rise towards classroom expectation:

1. When talking with a student, maintain full eye-contact to show that you care and want the best for them.
2. If they need to finish a project/activity, hold them accountable by writing them a short message that you expect the project/activity to be completed. (Use their first name several times during the conversation when handing him/her the short message.)
3. Show the student personally (one-on-one) the task to make sure they understand the assignment. (Another example of how to show the student that you care about them and their progress in your classroom.)
4. When you see them moved towards the classroom expectation, make sure that the student is recognized for moving towards the expectation by giving them a verbal or non-verbal praise.  (High 5, "Way to go!", ect...)

5 Back To School Organizational Ideas for an Elementary Math Classroom

The following are 5 quick organizational ideas to integrate for the 2011-2012 elementary math school year:

1. Have a math journal for each of your student so they can write about their learning in this subject.
2. Have 4 or 5 math centers ready for students to use the first week of class.  
3. Look at past performance and/or prepare a pre-test to give out the first week of school to see what a students knows about math and see which students needs to advance and who needs more practice in a particular skill.
4. Have a math absent folder.  Use this folder to insert math assignments that a student will need to complete because he or she has been absent/sick.
5. Buy motivational stickers or stamps to give to students when he or she is making an effort to understand math, participates in class, or makes good choices to help him/her advance in her/his studies in math.

What are your organizational ideas for elementary math?

Salt, Sour, Sweet and Bitter and the Four Basic Math Operations

There are four basic flavors in food:  salt, sour, sweet, and bitter.  Can our taste buds be explained mathematically???  I pondered upon this question...  This is what I scribbled down...

salt = addition

sour = subtraction

sweet = multiplication

bitter = division 

Hmmm... What are your thoughts about this?