MathGeekStudio.com

Voting Math Freebie in honor of President's Day

2012-02-16T22:39:00.000-06:00

In honor of President's Day here is a voting math freebie I've designed. What a good way to learn about the voting process and practicing math at the same time.

On a side note, my niece and I have not quite picked her birthday cake. I am hoping that it will all come together this weekend along with the invitations. Really excited for her birthday!

Click VOTE to download freebie.

Discovering Odd & Even Numbers

2012-02-15T19:22:00.002-06:00

What to do with the magazines, newspapers, postcard advertisements, coupons, grocery advertisements, etc... in the mailbox? After reading it, I don't place it in the recycling bin just yet, I take it to school to use it for academic learning. Last month, we did our study on odd and even numbers. This is what we did with the clippings...

Students and I discussed how we look at the last digit to determine if it's an odd or even number.

Have a wonderful school week!

Dream it! Live it!

Monica

Valentine Shopping For Your Elementary Students

2012-02-12T00:08:00.004-06:00

My niece and I found some excellent bargains at Wal-Mart. Watch to see what was bought for Valentine's Day!

Love, Monica

S.W.E.E.T.

2012-02-09T20:37:00.000-06:00

It was a s.w.e.e.t. surprise that one of student's gave a me a Hershey's Chocolate Bar wrapped up in a pretty blue paper with 3 colorful hearts. The small details made this gift more delightful! You can never go wrong with a Hershey's Chocolate Bar! Thank you! :)

Color My Hearts Fact Families Freebie

2012-02-07T22:07:00.000-06:00

My niece and I are making preparations for her Sweet 16 Birthday! We are designing her invitations and looked at several cakes. She took some pictures of different cake designs. Hopefully, we will nail down exactly the look she wants. So exicited for her upcoming birthday! Have some wonderful memories of Elizebeth as a baby!

My students are continuing to review fact families, so I grabbed the designed I've used before for a skip counting skill and turned the design into fact families. This activity goes perfect with the Valentine theme.

Have a wonderful week at school and enjoy the classroom freebie!

**FYI My website for MathGeekStudio.com is currently undergoing some changes. It will be up in the very near future. Thank you for reading my blog and hope you will be back soon!

Click here to print your freebie!

Chocolate Candy Bag Math Activity Freebie!

2012-01-25T21:48:00.001-06:00

Valentine's Day is just around the corner! One of the best days of the year! But, here is another fun math activity that I've just finished designing. Take a look at it and let me know how you like it. Here's to another great week of learning!

Click here for freebie!

Freebie: Skip Counting by 2's Perfect Valentine Cards

2012-01-08T12:05:00.000-06:00

Here is a freebie from MathGeekStudio.com. This worksheet activity is dedicated to my niece, Devin Nicole, who designed illustrations over the summer. She is one smart, dedicated student and teenager! I love her like a ton of Hershey Kisses!

Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays. Have fun skip counting by 2's!

Have a wonderful week at school educators! Let's dream it and live it!

Click here download the freebie.

My Basketball Shoes

2011-12-28T14:01:00.000-06:00

Listening to Beatles Channel while posting my new math fraction design about basketball shoes. Follow me on twitter for updates on new math activities. This is a freebie to teachers. Thank you for your comments and encouragement! Truly love hearing from all of you! Much love!

Click here to download Basketball Shoes Activity

Touchdown!

2011-12-23T20:28:00.001-06:00

Thank you so much for all your support and for reading my math blog. I really do love to hear from y'all, so shoot me an e-mail! To my fellow audience, I have officially finished my first math activity book and I am so excited to share it with you very soon. Now, I'm in the works of beginning on a second math activity book. Ideas are starting to flow and have been diligently writing them down as it happens.

Looking forward to spending some quality Christmas time with the family and helping my niece with her basketball practice, which by the way we are both getting much better at that sport. Like they say, "Practice makes perfect!"

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas! I've just finished designing this math activity and wanted to give it away for classroom teachers to use. Football is always a favorite with many of us, so that is the theme for this activity.

Click here for the freebie! 

Freebie: Classroom Creation Station Cards

2011-12-20T21:11:00.000-06:00

Here is to a wonderful Christmas and New Year 2012 to all the wonderful teachers out there! May you enjoy this time to its fullest with family and friends! This semester has gone by too fast for me but it has certainly giving me time to be thankful for my family, students, friends and all my fellow teacher friends! I've just designed a set of Classroom Station Cards for rotation organization. Also, I left the last page blank on purpose. They are yours for free just leave a comment!

Click HERE to download your Classroom Station Cards

FREEBIE NUMBER SENSE: COLOR MY WORLD

2011-11-27T20:23:00.001-06:00

Love designing math activities for teachers to use in the classroom. Here is a freebie to use for your kindergarteners! Leave a comment and let me know how it goes!

Click HERE to see the Math Freebie!

Students Finding And Analyzing Geometry Shapes In The Real World

2011-10-02T14:39:00.002-05:00

Heard some interesting conversations among the students as I was facilitating this lesson on the discovery of different shapes they can find in the real world. One student asked a question, "What's is the difference between a square and a rectangle?" He answered his own question as he discovered various different items that were squares and rectangles. He noticed that 2 sides were the same length than the other side.

They also found out that shapes turned different directions/angels.

Students helped each other look for real world shapes, cut and organized shapes into 4 different categories: circle, triangle, square and rectangles.

Below are some 1st grade student work samples:

Skip Counting By 5s And World Connections

2011-09-24T10:17:00.001-05:00

Most of my new thinking happens during the summer when time for reflection happens for a longer period of time. Figuring out how my math lessons can be more exciting to children and at the same time building deeper connections with math and how the real world can be integrated within the school year.

September 22, 2011 Math Lesson: Skip counting by 5s

Made a collection of printed material through advertisement, local city magazines, county and metroplex newspapers, postcards and we (1st grade students) had prior practice of skip counting by 5s through song and 100 t-chart. We made real world connections by using the collection of print numbers. Students viewed, cut and pasted numbers through skip counting by 5s until they reached 100. While students were discovering numbers, organizing and sequencing their information, and having discussions within their groups about the numbers they found; upbeat music was played in the background.

Below is a partial sample of student work:

Mathematical Symbols and the Elementary Student

2011-09-18T18:27:00.000-05:00

Wowser!!! Such BIG words (mathematical symbols) for a little youngster!!!? Nah, not really! It is perfectly fine to use this GIANT of a word in the classroom. Little ones need to have a deep understanding of the mathematical symbols { +, –, =, <, >, x, ÷, ≠, ¢, $}. What are some good ways/activities to develop understanding in the area of mathematical symbols? How about making a collage of items using recyclable advertisement, magazines or newspapers and then adding these mathematical symbols to the student's collage! Not only that but making a student's own personal book collage of their own understanding of these mathematical symbols. In the coming weeks, I will be displaying some of my ideas (student work) on how I'm doing this in my own classroom. Have a great week, Educators!! YOU make America great!

Fun Times in the Math Classroom

2011-08-28T10:27:00.000-05:00

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

2011-08-25T19:19:00.002-05:00

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:

When talking with a student, maintain full eye-contact to show that you care and want the best for them.
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.)
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.)
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

2011-08-15T18:06:00.002-05:00

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

Have a math journal for each of your student so they can write about their learning in this subject.
Have 4 or 5 math centers ready for students to use the first week of class.
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.
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.
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

2011-08-02T15:23:00.000-05:00

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?

5 Immediate Responses to Win Over An Elementary Student's "I Can't Do This!" School-Attitude

2011-07-26T17:53:00.000-05:00

Students do a great job at learning different math skills throughout the school week. There are other times where one particular math skill is just proving too hard to understand and make any sense to the elementary student. Oftentimes, the student gives up and says outloud, "I can't do this!!" How is the classroom teacher suppose to respond? The following are 5 immediate teacher responses that help the elementary student overcome challenging math obstacles:

1. After you hear the student say, "I can't do this!", address the student and say, "Let's see what we can do to make this easier for you." Right then and there, you are letting him or her know that it will take the teacher and the student to resolve the issue. Also, you are making the student aware that you want to help and that you don't want him or her struggling over the math skill but feeling confident that he or she has mastered another math skill.

2. Identify where the student is struggling with the math skill. Work with the student until he or she can work independently.

3. Provide encouragement/positive reinforcement while working together on some problems. Monitor closely throughout independent practice time and say something like, "I knew you could do it!"

4. Provide immediate feedback on the student's math progress for the day. (One example, check all math assignments given for that day.)

5. Write a quick, positive, short comment and give to the student. This will remind the student that they can overcome a challenge. With help and support from the teacher, the student can have an "I CAN do this!" school-attitude.

How have you helped students who have an "I can't do this!" school-attitude?

IPAD: 6 Ways To Use Evernote App in an Elementary Math Classroom

2011-07-18T17:30:00.000-05:00

*Evernote App is avaliable for IPAD users.

1. Use Evernote App to create a math reflection journal about new information learned or Ah-ha! moments.

2. Take pictures of a student's math end-product.

3. Create a slideshow to showcase student work.

4. Record a student's or peer response of their math work.

5. Write and record math vocabulary words and have student's play it for pronunciation. (Great for English Language Learners!!)

6. Use it as a reference tool. Students refer to it to refresh their math skills.

How would you use Evernote App in your math classroom? Have any pics of this, please share with us!

Elementary Math Classrooms WITHOUT Limits

2011-07-16T13:34:00.000-05:00

What if there were no limits as to how much a student can learn about math after mastery of a particular math skill? What if age or grade level was not taken into consideration as to how much a student can learn about math? What would the classrooms look like and can this be possible?

Many people are trilingual or quad-lingual. How can this be? If people are really good about learning different languages can they also be good at increasing their level of mathematics?

What are your thoughts about this subject?

Addition = ???

2011-07-13T18:25:00.001-05:00

I love looking at my students 1st grade math journals and scanning through their work to see how they are developing their understanding of this amazing subject. The use of mathematical words come to my attention as I scan through their written word problems. Reflecting on my 10-11 school year teaching, I find that I have to do lots of modeling, repetition and give time (practice) for my students to use mathematical vocabulary.

The following are snipets of words I've found in their math journal that automatically tells them to use the operation of addition to solve the word problem:

7 girls joined them...
if the pattern continues...
will have hatched altogether...
gave him 9 pencils....
he buys 4 more bales of hay...
she placed 6 books...
Maria puts on 5 bracelets...

What others words have you seen your students use for addition?

Teach Math In English Or Student's Native Language: What works best for English Language Learners?

2011-07-11T19:15:00.003-05:00

Would an elementary English Language Learner student make more progress learning math in their native language or their second language?

For the past 16 years, I am always amazed what the brain is able to do to overcome language obstacles. For the past 13 years, I have taught bilingual students and 3 years, I have taught monolingual students Spanish. Elementary students are able to grasp a second language rather quickly. When I teach math to my 1st grade English Language Learners, I speak English in complete sentences and expect that my students, through time and much practice, are able to speak English in complete sentences and use correct vocabulary words to verbally explain their understanding of the task at-hand.

What are your thoughts and experiences with Math and the English Language Learners?

You tell me: Small Group Instruction Led By A Teacher vs. Peer Group Learning?

2011-07-02T20:00:00.000-05:00

Which method is better? Or, are both methods equally important? If a child receives small group instruction from a teacher would they have a higher understanding of the math skills? Would peer group learning be the best option to help students reach a higher understanding of math at a faster rate than small group instruction?

I have used both methods in my classroom. I've noticed that they tend to be happier when learning from each other. On the other hand, when I do small group instruction, I tend to hear lots of "Aha Moments"! What are your thoughts about this subject?

The Math Student and Doodle Pad App for Your Classroom IPads

2011-06-26T20:05:00.000-05:00

The Doodle Pad App (Free) is on my IPad. This wonderful tool can be used to practice all sorts of mathematical skills with your elementary students. Students will have fun creating their own problems, drawings, graphs, reflections, switch to different colors and share their work with their friends and parents. Endless possibilities!!!

Doodle Pad on the IPad

Doodle Pad App

The GREAT Relationship Status between Addition and Multiplication!

2011-06-14T11:27:00.000-05:00

1st Grade student demonstrates how the addition number sentence 3 + 3 = 6 is related to the multiplication number sentence of 2 x 3 = 6. Student drew apple trees to demonstrate the great relationship between his addition and multiplication number sentences. Student understands that 3 apples from the first apple tree and 3 more apples from the second apple tree is a total of 6 apples altogether. In multiplication, the factor 2 represents the 2 apples trees and 3 represents 3 apples on each tree is a total of 6 apples altogether. Another thing to point out is that the student was able to recognize a mathematical pattern within his work.

Increase Productivity In The Classroom!

2011-02-04T17:14:00.000-06:00

During the middle of the school year, I sit down with my students and talk to them about overcoming obstacles. The reason that I do this in the middle of the school year instead of the beginning of the school year is that around this time I have now built a strong positive rapport with my students. With our discussion, I present to them real people who have faced obstacles in their lives and how they triumph over them. My students never say they can't do something. They know that it will take practice in order to do better each day. As I walk around my classroom, students are working together, asking good questions about their learning with each other and solving problems together! Talking with your students about facing and overcoming struggles increases productivity in the classroom.

Bilingual Peer Tutoring in Action in Early Elementary Grades: Is it Possible?

2011-02-01T17:39:00.000-06:00

Early K-2 grades can integrate a bilingual peer tutoring program. Students can work together to understand different math concepts. Bilingual students are limited in their English skills and together they can build their vocabulary and skills in math. Students confidence in math skyrockets while they interacted with each other.

Teachers ARE Successful When...

2011-01-19T19:54:00.001-06:00

... they give their best to EACH of the students in class.
...they give daily POSITIVE feedback about each student's progress.
...they treat every student as a CHAMPION.

How much money do you have? Student Work # 4

2011-01-19T19:30:00.000-06:00

1st grade student work sample.

How much money do you have? Student Work # 3

2011-01-19T19:27:00.001-06:00

1st grade student work sample.

How much money do you have? Student Work # 2

2011-01-19T19:20:00.001-06:00

1st grade student work sample.

How much money do you have?

2011-01-19T19:13:00.000-06:00

Each student was given different amount of coins. Students were to find how much money each one had. They visually communicated the value of each coin, calculated the total and wrote one sentence, using appropriate mathematical symbol of cent, to communicate their result. The following pictures are their work results.

Repeated Addition: Introduction to Multiplication

2010-12-31T19:28:00.000-06:00

1st grade student solved a repeated addition word problem. These kinds of word problems are good to practice in the classroom. This will make for a good transition into the introduction of multiplication.

A Square and A Rectangle: Student Work #3

2010-10-06T20:03:00.000-05:00

A Square and A Rectangle: Student Work #2

2010-10-06T19:57:00.000-05:00

A Square and Rectangle, What is the Difference?

2010-10-06T19:54:00.000-05:00

1st Grade Bilingual students take a leap at finding out the difference between a square and rectangle using graphic paper. Students design different sizes of squares and rectangles. The squares have 4 sides of equal length and a rectangle has 2 pairs of sides of equal lengths.

Geometry: Student Work Design #3

2010-10-06T19:34:00.000-05:00

Geometry: Student Work Design #2

2010-10-06T19:32:00.000-05:00

1st Grade Students: Creating Different Designs With 2-D Shapes

2010-10-06T19:27:00.000-05:00

1st grade bilingual students were given different shapes to create different real-life geometric designs. Later, students shared and reflected their new designs with the entire class.

Student Work: Ferris Wheel Subtraction

2010-09-30T19:45:00.000-05:00

Ferris Wheel Subtraction

2010-09-30T19:40:00.000-05:00

Remember the most popular ride of ALL, the ferris wheel!!! This is a great object to use to help children understand subtraction. The class (1st grade) used the ferris wheel to solve real-life math problems. Some student work is displayed. (*Note orange cubes = # of children, blue cubes = # of adults)

Kibo

2010-08-30T17:18:00.000-05:00

One of my students took Kibo home this past weekend! This student met all the math objectives for the week. Other students also deserved to take Kibo home for the weekend but, unfortunately, there is only one Kibo. The students actually liked Kibo alot! As soon as I placed Kibo on the student's desk about 5 other students immediately went over to the student's desk and hugged Kibo. Wow! Surprising to me! :) Kibo, the flying math dragon, is looking forward to going home with another student for the weekend this coming Labor Day Weekend!

Another important skill: Reflecting on Math Solutions

2010-08-14T14:14:00.000-05:00

When elementary students have solved a math problem it is critical that they reflect on the steps they took to solve it. Allowing time for reflection in the classroom should not be viewed as "wasting time", but as an opportunity to make connections with the information or to innovate other ways to solve past, present or future math problems.

Creative Word Problems by Students

2010-08-05T17:52:00.000-05:00

To add some creativity to word problems, have students write their own math problems. This could be a great small group activity (group of 3 or 4 students). Later, have them share their math creativity with their peers.

A. Have student come up with 2 or 3 words that have nothing in common.
B. Have student write a math problem using those words.

*Model those two steps before having students write their own word problems.

Example:
A. dog tomatoes

B. As the dog, Pirate, ran through the market, he took 7 tomatoes and 6 bananas from Mr. Smith's stand. Karla, the owner of the dog, stopped Pirate and took away 3 tomatoes and 5 bananas from him. How many tomatoes and bananas did Pirate eat?

Kibo, The Flying Math Dragon

2010-06-28T20:55:00.000-05:00

In the 2010-2011 school year, my new 1st grade students are going to be a little surprise when they meet my new sidekick, Kibo, the flying dragon. Yup, Kibo is a stuffed animal!!! I thought it would be fun to add a new element to my teaching technique. My lovely niece, Emily Rose, helped stuffed Kibo at Build-A-Bear. We selected overall jeans as his main outfit because we want him to appear a down-to-earth friendly dragon. Kibo's main job is to positively encourage students to excel in math. Kibo means hope in Japanese. Presenting Kibo, the flying math dragon!!!

Fractions Sample Work #2

2010-06-12T15:18:00.000-05:00

1st Grade Fractions: Using Graph Paper To Understand Fractions

2010-06-12T15:15:00.000-05:00

1st Grade student draws a figure that represents 3/6 on graph paper.

Area Work Sample #2

2010-06-12T15:01:00.000-05:00

1st Grade Math: DISCOVERING Area With Square Tiles

2010-06-12T14:51:00.000-05:00

1st Grade student draws his shoe and investigates how many tiles it will take to cover his shoe. Then, he draws his foot and investigates how many tiles it takes to cover his foot. Find the difference of area between the shoe and foot.

Thank You Letter #2

2010-05-19T22:42:00.001-05:00

Thank You Letter #1

2010-05-19T22:38:00.003-05:00

We all make a positive contribution in a child's education!

2010-05-19T22:32:00.000-05:00

The Bilingual 1st graders wrote thank you letters to the cafeteria ladies, janitor and bilingual aid. The students personally gave the letters to the ladies. By the ladies smiles, we could tell they enjoyed receiving these thank you letters from the kiddos. The following are some of student's letters:

Work Sample #3

2010-05-13T17:40:00.000-05:00

Work Sample #2

2010-05-13T17:37:00.000-05:00

Work Sample #1

2010-05-13T17:34:00.000-05:00

Work Samples from 6 and 7 years old's in understanding the concept of multiplication

2010-05-13T16:59:00.002-05:00

1st grade students were assigned different multiplication equations. They formulized the understaning that multiplication is repeated addition. To get to this understanding at 1st grade is a totally different story. Enjoy, the students' work samples!

Fluent in a Second Language makes you a Gifted Student

2010-05-04T20:55:00.000-05:00

Students who speak, write, read, and understand a second language ARE gifted students. These students have assess to solve various kinds of problems by using two different languages. It is a huge benefit and students continue to reap rewards of a second language on towards adulthood.

Graphic Notebook

2010-05-01T12:19:00.000-05:00

K-5th grade should have a graphic notebook. Children can draw different shapes, study fractions through models, base-10 drawings, number lines, problem-solving, etc...

Don't be Shy: Ask more from your students

2010-04-26T12:27:00.000-05:00

Reaching and going beyond their mathematical goals for the school year is essential to the dynamics of a successful classroom environment. When teaching a lesson, state what each student should be able to do at the end of the lesson. Monitor, monitor, and monitor! We want to do this to make sure each student understands the lesson and ask questions to evaluate their understanding of the mathematical skill being taught.

The Value of a Bilingual Citizen

2010-04-08T22:20:00.000-05:00

Elementary students, especially Pre-K through 3rd grade, need to understand the value of being a bilingual citizen. Being bilingual is a tremendous asset to have in today’s economic and diversified environment. Elementary teachers (educators) must ingrain this important concept at a very young age. Being specialized in both languages can open many doors of opportunities to bilingual students. Sure maintaining and continuing to learn both languages as they progress through their academic years is hard work but the rewards are far greater. You can help them realize how being a bilingual student is an asset by addressing some of the following topics:

*provide real-life examples of how being bilingual has helped you

*how they will be able to help many people when they grow older

*what they must do to maintain both languages and continue to grow stronger in both languages (subscribe to a favorite magazine, listen to their favorite music in the language they need to practice, family can be a big influence in maintaining their native language etc…)

*be proud of being a bilingual student which ultimately means they like who they are as a person

*they are intelligent because they know two languages and they have access to learn a third language if they choose to do so

Be a Silly Math Teacher

2010-03-27T16:46:00.000-05:00

Be a fun math teacher by sharing real stories about real math situations. You can make up a silly math song just out of the blue and have your students be the ones to create the math song to whatever skill you are teaching. Remember it does not have to be perfect... but your math students will remember it forever. Do something kinetically. For example, when learning about time and students want to know how long a minute is? Why not let them do jumping jacks for one minute! This will help get their hearts going and learn a math skill. Give it a try and have fun doing math everyday!

Order Matters

2010-03-27T16:22:00.001-05:00

I did not learn this very small concept until a bit later in my education because my math teachers forgot to mention this important detail. ORDER MATTERS!!
It is imperative that elementary students know that there is a specific order in numbers and or in the overall process of doing mathematics. Where did I discover this? While doing proofs in Geometry. Explain to your students that there is order in everything throughout our universe. Math is a perfect language. The way we proceed in solving problems has a certain order. It is like building a house. You don't start building a roof without building a strong foundation first. This small concept can open doors for struggling students that are still having problems calculating or having a weak grasp about what mathematics is all about. Share with your students that ORDER MATTERS in mathematics!!!

Number lines: An Asset in the Classroom

2010-03-14T09:30:00.000-05:00

My 1st grade students are taught to design their very own number lines. Students need to fully understand what is happening when using number lines. Teaching them what the arrows at the end of each side of the number line mean can help them grasp the never ending concept of order, sequence, and patterns in numbers. How can I use number lines in my classroom? The following are 10 mathematical skills that students can use number lines to helped them understand how numbers work:

1. Subtraction
2. Addition
3. Patterns
4. Decimals
5. Concept of Zero
6. Integers (temperature, etc...)
7. Word Problems
8. Time
9. Fractions
10. Length, width and other types of measurement

We danced (my students and I) to the Macarena this past week. Afterwards, we were ready to go back to learning! So much fun! :)

Can Multiplying at 6 and 7 years of age happen?

2010-03-13T10:32:00.000-06:00

It has been quite some time since my last post. Lots of good things have happened since then and I am so thankful for that period of time. So, I am now back to blog about Elementary Mathematics! :)

Multiplying, can it happen at 6 or 7 years of age in a student's life? Most certainly! Teach your students to get comfortable with patterns, how to see patterns in real life objects (flowers, seasons, roller costers) and making up their own patterns. Grab a 100-Chart and begin to skip count 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s, etc... Discuss the pattern taken place while moving forward and backwards on the 100-Chart. Keep practicing this concept for about 3 or 4 months. Then, introduce multiplication along with the meaning of the different mathematical symbols. There are other steps involved to get your students multiplying in 1st grade but this will help get you started.

Math Terminology for English Language Learners

2010-01-30T13:33:00.000-06:00

Using the formal terminology in teaching the different math concepts is always the right way to go! Trying to change the terminology to informal math language for fear that the English Language Learner (Bilingual/ESL student) will not understand it is a definitely not good for the student.

Cow Story Problem Student Work Results

2010-01-19T21:13:00.001-06:00

This a student's math journal and response to story problem.

Top 10 statements about English Language Learners

2010-01-17T08:04:00.000-06:00

10. 1 out 4 children come to school speaking 63 other languages.

9. Information is a chemical.

8. When you teach, you are actually changing the structure of the student's brain.

7. 5-10 years of age is the optimal time for second language learning to occur. It is not detrimental to a child if they start to learn a new language early.

6. Elementary and Middle School is the best time to learn a second language.

5. Individuals can make cognitive and linguistic gains exceeding that of their monolingual peers.

4. The two hardest things in life to handle is success and failure.

3. Create educational programs to accelerate not remediate the learner.

2. What is learning? It is a biological process invented for survival.

1. Being bilingual is a great asset to all students!

Developing A Story Problem For Your Students To Solve

2010-01-15T19:21:00.000-06:00

When presenting math concepts to elementary students, I always try to make as many real connections as possible. One of the math strategies I apply when developing a story problem for my students is to use the real names of my students in the story problem. Students form a mental picture of an actual student in their classroom being part of a math story problem. This helps students understand this whole meaning of how numbers are used in everyday situations.

The following is a 1st grade math story problem I developed using that strategy. :

Karen is the owner of 18 cows. She has 7 brown cows, 3 black cows, 2 white cows and the rest of the cows are both brown and black. How many cows are both brown and black?

Yall come back now to view student work on this math story problem!!!

National Bilingual Education Conference Feb. 3 - 6, 2010

2010-01-09T09:40:00.000-06:00

The National Association of Bilingual Education Conference 2010 is just around the corner! Attending this conference is highly recommended. It is always such a great event because Educators from all over the US come together to gather the latest information and research. Come see me present a math bilingual workshop called: Geometry and Your Bright Bilingual Students. It will be a two hour math workshop with real-world projects to take back to your classrooms. Then come see me at my booth as I will be exhibiting my work. I look forward to meeting you Feb. 3 - 6, 2010 in Denver, CO!

Math Work Table

2010-01-03T16:04:00.000-06:00

Look at our math work table!! This is what I call, 'organized chaos'! Students get to choose from different arrays of pencils, markers, highlighters, sticky notes, dry erase markers, and erasers to complete their performance assessment. Also, students write on the table using dry erase markers to jot down their thoughts, calculations, etc. After we are finished with our math project, we simply clean the work table with cleaning wipes so it can be ready for our next math project.

What will money transactions look like in 100 years from now?

2010-01-01T11:06:00.000-06:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR MATH ENTHUSIASTS!!!

In Elementary Mathematics, students study this important concept and its many uses in the real-world. How about adding one more lesson to your math curriculum? Students can use this time to discover what money transactions would look like in the real-world in 2110. Students get to apply what they already know about math and money and innovate new ideas about money in an 2110 world. Students will be free to use their creativity and who knows you might discover a future Chief Financial Analyst or Artist. Discuss the work created and display it. E-mail me if you need assistance in the formation of this lesson.

Famous Quote from Theodore Roosevelt

2009-12-30T15:45:00.000-06:00

There have been times where trying something new or coming up with a different plan or sailing on unmarked waters (whatever it might be) was just not the popular thing to do. I have learned that each time I've stepped forward, sometimes with fear, I'm a better person because I choose to dive-in in that direction.

The following quote is made by our past President Theodore Roosevelt, a boxing analogy:

"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again because there is not effort without error and shortcoming; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotion, spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who have never tasted victory or defeat."

Measuring

2009-12-29T17:45:00.000-06:00

This project took place in the school year 2001-2002. After returning from NASA, I did several scientific projects with my students. These students are now in their freshman year in college. As a teacher, I am so very proud of their accomplishments! I am sharing with you a little bit of what took place on that super day.

Crater Mania Project

This is the surface of the moon.

Students working on measuring the width and depth in centimeters of different size of craters.

The height to which the meteorite will fall. Students try at different heights and speeds to drop the meteorite.

The top of the surface was green to see how the impact of the meteorite forms the rays.

Students wrote the length, diameter, and height of the impact of the meteorite after it hit the surface. One of these students is currently studying to be an Engineer

Students discuss the process and results.

Students learn how craters are formed and use math skills to discover the process.

One of these students was the top 10% of her high school graduating class of 2009!

Reflection: What would I do different if I taught this lesson again?

I would show a short power point presentation of the actual moon and its many craters. If time allowed, I would let each group share their results with the entire class.

New English Language Learner Math Students

2009-12-14T19:20:00.005-06:00

Your ELL math students are doing awesome! But happens when you are blessed with a new ELL student who enrolls in the middle of the school year? He or she is a non-English speaker and is not on-level academically.

1. Assess their English Language Skills
2. Assess their English and Spanish Reading Skills
3. Assess their Math Skills
4. Assign both a boy and girl buddy/peer system to assist them in daily school routines
5. Apply the 15/30 small group or one-on-one intervention strategy. Teacher teaches students in a small or one-on-one setting in the area most needed: Monday: 15 min., Tuesday: 30 min., Wednesday: 15 min., Thursday: 30 min., Friday: 15 min.
6. Prepare and send a Take-Home Folder to practice specific math skills
7. Monitor as student and buddy peer system go over short and specific math skills. (10 minutes)
8. Teacher communicates progress with parents once a week.

You will begin to see the student flourish because of the support provided by you, the teacher, peers, and parents.