1. Order of operations Math Rap by Mr. Tomai's class
This video is a "music video" made by a fifth grade class over the topic of Order of Operations. This video would be an excellent resource for teachers to use in the classroom because it is a fun way for students to learn the order of operations; children love music and having fun songs help them learn and memorize information. This video is short enough that the teacher could play it multiple times without wasting too much class time. Also students could interact with the video by performing the movements the students in the video used. This approach would meet all different kinds of learners (visual, auditory, kinestetic,etc.) Also, this video could be used as an example for how to have students make their own music videos. Having students make their own music videos would have them practice the content and would be a good formative assessment because a teacher could clearly see who understands the topic and who doesn't by how they explain it.
2. Teaching Elementary Students the Magic of Math
In this video it discusses how to incorporate math into all subject area and the benefits of doing so. The video discusses how incorporating math in all subject areas teaching children how to think conceptually and how to apply the concepts to multiple situations; this thinking allows students to truly analyze new concepts and practice it in many real life instances. This video also discusses how the more instance students have to practice math the more opportunities they have to practice talking about it, and communication skills.This video would be useful for informing teachers of best practices used when teaching their students. This could also be shown to other professionals that interact with the students, and help them practice incorporating math content into their activities as well.The more opportunities a child knowingly practices math the better prepared they will be. Teachers can also increase student confidence in math which will help them take more and bigger risks in learning. The more confident they feel the more involved in the lesson they will be, which can increase the amount of learning they will participate in.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Teacher Resources
1. http://www.dreambox.com/
This math website provides teacher with an avenue to differentiate instruction by giving students math activities based on their individual level. Teachers can monitor progress of each students and use that data for additional help as necessary. This website also has materials for practicing many topics in math.
2. http://illuminations.nctm.org/Weblinks.aspx
This website would be useful to teachers because it provides lessons and activities for all math standards at all different grade levels. This would make a good website for teachers who are struggling with finding ways to teach a math concept or are looking for new ways to teach a concept.
3. http://www.glencoe.com/sec/teachingtoday/subject/int_tech_math.phtml
This website would be a useful resource for teachers because it has information about many different topics concerning a teacher's career (professional development, classroom management, lesson planning tips, etc.) all in one convenient place. There is also content specific lesson resources for all content areas.
4. http://davidwees.com/content/ways-use-technology-math-class
This website is a resource about different ways a teacher can implement technology use in their math classroom. This website gives easy ways for both teachers and students to be involved in using technology in the classroom so they double as lesson ideas. Having students use these techniques would be additional practice of the content as well as formative assessments.
5. http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/category_g_2_t_1.html
This is a website that give access to a wide variety of virtual math manipulatives. This would be useful for teachers so they don't have to create so many manipulatives by hand. Also, this website is student friendly and the teacher could have students use the manipulatives in lessons as well. This would allow for lessons to be interactive and for students to participate.
This math website provides teacher with an avenue to differentiate instruction by giving students math activities based on their individual level. Teachers can monitor progress of each students and use that data for additional help as necessary. This website also has materials for practicing many topics in math.
2. http://illuminations.nctm.org/Weblinks.aspx
This website would be useful to teachers because it provides lessons and activities for all math standards at all different grade levels. This would make a good website for teachers who are struggling with finding ways to teach a math concept or are looking for new ways to teach a concept.
3. http://www.glencoe.com/sec/teachingtoday/subject/int_tech_math.phtml
This website would be a useful resource for teachers because it has information about many different topics concerning a teacher's career (professional development, classroom management, lesson planning tips, etc.) all in one convenient place. There is also content specific lesson resources for all content areas.
4. http://davidwees.com/content/ways-use-technology-math-class
This website is a resource about different ways a teacher can implement technology use in their math classroom. This website gives easy ways for both teachers and students to be involved in using technology in the classroom so they double as lesson ideas. Having students use these techniques would be additional practice of the content as well as formative assessments.
5. http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/category_g_2_t_1.html
This is a website that give access to a wide variety of virtual math manipulatives. This would be useful for teachers so they don't have to create so many manipulatives by hand. Also, this website is student friendly and the teacher could have students use the manipulatives in lessons as well. This would allow for lessons to be interactive and for students to participate.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Student Resources
1.Escape From Fraction Manor
http://www.mathplayground.com/HauntedFractions/HFGameLoader.html
Students practicing ordering fractions in greatest to least and least to greatest.
2. Moon Rocks
http://www.funbrain.com/brain/MathBrain/Games/Title.html?GameName=MoonRocks1&Brain=math&Gender=F&Grade=3&Language=en_us&GameNumber=2&Color=000000&OldPassword=DOG2&Password=DOG2&HardCoded=false&Roadblock=undefined
Students play a memory style game in which they have to match math sentences with the correct sum.
3. Dr. Chomper and Fast Food Math
http://mrnussbaum.com/chomper/
Students play a matching game in which they must match the math sentence with the correct sum or product. Students can practice both addition and subtraction.
4. Tug Math Fractions
http://www.primarygames.com/math/tugmathfraction/
Students decide which fraction is larger.
5. Number Invaders
http://www.mathplayground.com/balloon_invaders_percent.html
Students practice percentages by choosing a percentage to practice and finding the value of that percentage in different numbers.
http://www.mathplayground.com/HauntedFractions/HFGameLoader.html
Students practicing ordering fractions in greatest to least and least to greatest.
2. Moon Rocks
http://www.funbrain.com/brain/MathBrain/Games/Title.html?GameName=MoonRocks1&Brain=math&Gender=F&Grade=3&Language=en_us&GameNumber=2&Color=000000&OldPassword=DOG2&Password=DOG2&HardCoded=false&Roadblock=undefined
Students play a memory style game in which they have to match math sentences with the correct sum.
3. Dr. Chomper and Fast Food Math
http://mrnussbaum.com/chomper/
Students play a matching game in which they must match the math sentence with the correct sum or product. Students can practice both addition and subtraction.
4. Tug Math Fractions
http://www.primarygames.com/math/tugmathfraction/
Students decide which fraction is larger.
5. Number Invaders
http://www.mathplayground.com/balloon_invaders_percent.html
Students practice percentages by choosing a percentage to practice and finding the value of that percentage in different numbers.
Posting #3: Integrating Math At Home
http://www.zenfamilyhabits.net/2009/11/25-everyday-math-ideas-for-the-non-mathematical/
The above link is to a family centered website. The link leads to an entry on this website about easy ways parents can integrate math at home. The entry begins with the importance of math in everyday life, and how to explain this to children. It also give tips for teaching the importance of math outside of the classroom, such as making it relevant by highlighting math skills used in a situation students experience frequently (i.e. grocery shopping,). Next the entry lists twenty-five game/activities that parents can do with their children to practice math skills. Most of the games and activities that children already play but the content is modified to practice math skills (i.e. memory game usually has icons to match, but the website suggests having math problems and solutions to match up). The entry also has visible comments from people who have tried the methods suggested in the post and their thoughts/feedback from it. This could be useful to help parents considering trying an activity of what would make a good activity or a mistake not to make with their children.
I thought this would be a good resource to have available for parents because students of all ability levels need to practice their math skills outside of the classroom in order to master them. Many parents don't feel qualified to teach math, or don't know how to add math activities into their schedule that would be fun for their children to do. I would have this available to parents so that they can get ideas of what might work for them in their home, and see that it doesn't have to be big and complicated activities. It could be as simple as having a deck of flashcard that a parent keeps in the car or in a purse to pull out during fifteen to twenty minutes of downtime ( such as waiting to board a plane, or waiting for dinner to finish cooking). Also, it could be resource for parents to see what they are already doing with their children (i.e. playing Battleship) and they would only have to highlight the math skill being played while talking to their kid. The purpose of me having this website on my blog would be to take the stress out of math. As we have read in numerous articles for this class, many people have bad experiences with math, and get really stressed out when they knowingly have to deal with it. Giving parents this resource is a way for them to reduce math anxiety in their children and also a way that parents won't become overwhelmed themselves.
The above link is to a family centered website. The link leads to an entry on this website about easy ways parents can integrate math at home. The entry begins with the importance of math in everyday life, and how to explain this to children. It also give tips for teaching the importance of math outside of the classroom, such as making it relevant by highlighting math skills used in a situation students experience frequently (i.e. grocery shopping,). Next the entry lists twenty-five game/activities that parents can do with their children to practice math skills. Most of the games and activities that children already play but the content is modified to practice math skills (i.e. memory game usually has icons to match, but the website suggests having math problems and solutions to match up). The entry also has visible comments from people who have tried the methods suggested in the post and their thoughts/feedback from it. This could be useful to help parents considering trying an activity of what would make a good activity or a mistake not to make with their children.
I thought this would be a good resource to have available for parents because students of all ability levels need to practice their math skills outside of the classroom in order to master them. Many parents don't feel qualified to teach math, or don't know how to add math activities into their schedule that would be fun for their children to do. I would have this available to parents so that they can get ideas of what might work for them in their home, and see that it doesn't have to be big and complicated activities. It could be as simple as having a deck of flashcard that a parent keeps in the car or in a purse to pull out during fifteen to twenty minutes of downtime ( such as waiting to board a plane, or waiting for dinner to finish cooking). Also, it could be resource for parents to see what they are already doing with their children (i.e. playing Battleship) and they would only have to highlight the math skill being played while talking to their kid. The purpose of me having this website on my blog would be to take the stress out of math. As we have read in numerous articles for this class, many people have bad experiences with math, and get really stressed out when they knowingly have to deal with it. Giving parents this resource is a way for them to reduce math anxiety in their children and also a way that parents won't become overwhelmed themselves.
Posting #2: Common Core Standards
http://www.corestandards.org/
This is a link to the website explaining the Common Core State Standards. The website starts with the mission statement of the Common Core Standards and explanation of standards. The website has the documents for the new math and language arts standards that the reader can look through and read. There is a portion explaining how the standards were created with collaborative efforts of teachers, parents and community supporters with the success of students in mind. One thing I found interesting about this website was that it has a map showing what states have already adopted the states; when you put the cursor over a state a box pops up with the date the state adopted the standards and when they implemented them into classroom instruction; it also gives a link to that state's home page, which I assume would be for people considering moving to that state. I think my favorite part of this webpage was the resources tab. On this tab is has several documents of information about the creating of the standards, changes made, adoption process and much more. There is also a section of FAQs that someone could quickly read through in search of information. The FAQs line up with the documents for the most part, so the documents can be used as additional research after a person has found the answer to their initial question.
I chose this website to be a useful resource for parents because parents are trying to stay as up to date on their children's education, and knowing what content is being taught is a major part of it. Common Core Standards are fairly new, and many people still don't know what they are. This website is an easy way for parents to learn about the standards, what content is being taught in their students' classroom and how it is different from previous standards. I found this to be a useful resource for parents and myself because it is chocked full of useful information that people can revisit as needed; the new standards are a lot to take in, and can be really confusing if you aren't familiar with it, so this website would be good to use as a reference. I also liked it because I feel like the embarrassment factor can be taken out. I have encountered a few parents who want to know more about their child's education or school but are intimidated by the teacher for whatever reason (they didn't go to college so they feel inferior, they don't have a background in education so they don't want to look ignorant, they have an older student so they feel like by this point they should understand more than they do, etc.) and don't ask questions. Those parents could use resources like this to answer their questions and get as little or as much information as they want.
This is a link to the website explaining the Common Core State Standards. The website starts with the mission statement of the Common Core Standards and explanation of standards. The website has the documents for the new math and language arts standards that the reader can look through and read. There is a portion explaining how the standards were created with collaborative efforts of teachers, parents and community supporters with the success of students in mind. One thing I found interesting about this website was that it has a map showing what states have already adopted the states; when you put the cursor over a state a box pops up with the date the state adopted the standards and when they implemented them into classroom instruction; it also gives a link to that state's home page, which I assume would be for people considering moving to that state. I think my favorite part of this webpage was the resources tab. On this tab is has several documents of information about the creating of the standards, changes made, adoption process and much more. There is also a section of FAQs that someone could quickly read through in search of information. The FAQs line up with the documents for the most part, so the documents can be used as additional research after a person has found the answer to their initial question.
I chose this website to be a useful resource for parents because parents are trying to stay as up to date on their children's education, and knowing what content is being taught is a major part of it. Common Core Standards are fairly new, and many people still don't know what they are. This website is an easy way for parents to learn about the standards, what content is being taught in their students' classroom and how it is different from previous standards. I found this to be a useful resource for parents and myself because it is chocked full of useful information that people can revisit as needed; the new standards are a lot to take in, and can be really confusing if you aren't familiar with it, so this website would be good to use as a reference. I also liked it because I feel like the embarrassment factor can be taken out. I have encountered a few parents who want to know more about their child's education or school but are intimidated by the teacher for whatever reason (they didn't go to college so they feel inferior, they don't have a background in education so they don't want to look ignorant, they have an older student so they feel like by this point they should understand more than they do, etc.) and don't ask questions. Those parents could use resources like this to answer their questions and get as little or as much information as they want.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Posting #1: Co-teaching
Website: http://www.lilieonline.com/courses/inclusion/co-teaching.pdf
The link above will lead to a PDF file that is used in workshops the discusses the concept of Co-teaching in the classroom. The PDF gives an overview to the concept of co-teaching and the different models used. It also discusses the research behind co-teaching, the benefits of it, and even activities that could be used with each model. The PDF is full of information that would be beneficial for people with a range of experience/background knowledge with co-teaching. As I was reading through it, the language used throughout isn't extremely technical or difficult to understand, but it also isn't so simple that it waters-down the information either. It explains each concept in everyday language and provides enough information to fill in any information gaps a person might have when it comes to co-teaching. Also, the set up of the file is nice because it starts at the beginning and builds on itself to be more intricate and apply background knowledge to more intricate aspects of co-teaching (i.e.- specific models and activities used with those models.) There is also a table of contents at the very beginning of the file, outlining what section follows what, but also when you arrive at a new section that is broken down with another table of contents so the reader knows exactly what will be discussed in that section. It makes it easy for referencing back and I also believe it makes the document, which is long in length, less overwhelming; someone who either has no background knowledge of the concept or who isn't a strong reader could easily navigate this document and know exactly what they will be reading about as they read it.
I chose this document because the practice of co-teaching is becoming more and more prevalent in classrooms both in Kentucky and nationally and many parents are either just learning about it or have never heard it before. I feel that this document would be a good resource for parents to have because they can clear up any misconceptions they have about the concept itself and also have the resource to reference for themselves. Teachers and parents will be able to communicate effectively during conferences or meetings and parents will understand terms teachers may use about what is happening in their classroom. Also, I feel like this will give parents a clear understanding of the practices being used to teach their child and will know how to help facilitate learning at home.
The link above will lead to a PDF file that is used in workshops the discusses the concept of Co-teaching in the classroom. The PDF gives an overview to the concept of co-teaching and the different models used. It also discusses the research behind co-teaching, the benefits of it, and even activities that could be used with each model. The PDF is full of information that would be beneficial for people with a range of experience/background knowledge with co-teaching. As I was reading through it, the language used throughout isn't extremely technical or difficult to understand, but it also isn't so simple that it waters-down the information either. It explains each concept in everyday language and provides enough information to fill in any information gaps a person might have when it comes to co-teaching. Also, the set up of the file is nice because it starts at the beginning and builds on itself to be more intricate and apply background knowledge to more intricate aspects of co-teaching (i.e.- specific models and activities used with those models.) There is also a table of contents at the very beginning of the file, outlining what section follows what, but also when you arrive at a new section that is broken down with another table of contents so the reader knows exactly what will be discussed in that section. It makes it easy for referencing back and I also believe it makes the document, which is long in length, less overwhelming; someone who either has no background knowledge of the concept or who isn't a strong reader could easily navigate this document and know exactly what they will be reading about as they read it.
I chose this document because the practice of co-teaching is becoming more and more prevalent in classrooms both in Kentucky and nationally and many parents are either just learning about it or have never heard it before. I feel that this document would be a good resource for parents to have because they can clear up any misconceptions they have about the concept itself and also have the resource to reference for themselves. Teachers and parents will be able to communicate effectively during conferences or meetings and parents will understand terms teachers may use about what is happening in their classroom. Also, I feel like this will give parents a clear understanding of the practices being used to teach their child and will know how to help facilitate learning at home.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Wordle
Wordle is a fun tool that allows users to create word collages on any theme they choose. I chose to make mine about math and different terms used in an elementary classroom. This tool is totally kid-friendly so students can create them independently. If you would like to create one for yourself go to www.wordle.net and click "Create". Have fun!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)