Graphic Notebook

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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.