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

*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

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 = ???

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?

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?

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

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!

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.