Time for chapter 2 of Guided Math. Hop on over to see Dana @ 3rd Grade Grid Iron to see what she and other have to say about this chapter.
These are my thoughts. Numeracy. What in the world is numeracy? It's like literacy, only with numerals and related concepts. So, as I plan my classroom to print-rich, I must also make it numeral-rich.
Here's how...
1. Don't skimp or skip calendar activities. And find a way to keep everyone involved.
2. Have manipulatives available for students to use (even without asking first). Students do not have to ask to get a book or dictionary, why should they ask for pattern blocks or rulers?
3. Problem of the day and week. Solve together and learn to communicate with each other. That is how we can learn multiple strategies, and acceptance of each other.
4. Keep math words/vocabulary visible. Should I have 3 word walls? Reading, Math, and Ag? or combine all into one gigantic word wall?
5. Use math journals to record new learnings and questions, and practice written communication.
6. Use graphic organizers.
7. Class Charts. Make them with the students with student participation. It's not about me making cute charts and signs--but a chart that will enhance the students' learning that day.
8. Keep tools for measuring available. And use regularly.
9. Discover math-related literature and keep it handy. Read it, talk about it, use it.
10. Make math books together. Simple books. Like I do for reading.
11. Show repeatedly how math connects to other subjects. Math is not isolated, but useful in many areas of our day.
I found the paragraph on page 41 about having conversations very helpful. Especially "students must be taught that purposeful talk means that they must say something meaningful, listen with intent, and keep the lines of thinking alive." WOW. Great for math discussions, but every other time we have conversations. (I see an anchor chart in our future.)
Guided Math and Guided Reading have many commonalities. I get the foundations of both. Having guidance of how to store/organize manipulatives and what to include in the math block and ideas for implementation are helpful to me as I plan away and get ready for first grade in August.
How's my Summer Bucket List coming? 1. Haven't worked any more on the year-at-a-glance since that day at school. 2. Math differentiation: book study. Learning a lot. 3. Thinking I'm not going to do a clip behavior chart after all. With my head back into CD, I don't think I want that in my classroom. 4. Trying to find a way to get to part of the retreat. 5. Trip to IN coming up. We will go to Cedar Point, maybe a zoo, tie-dye t shirts and watch movies. 6. Finished the first book in the Bailey Flanigan series by Karen Kingsbury on Wednesday. I got the next book yesterday. Time to lose myself in someone else's drama. 7. I went to one baseball game on Tuesday, another last night, and two basketball games last night as well.
I am pleased with my bucket list progress.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on GM. I agree with you that the students need to be able to get materials when they want. I do have a rule that each student can only have one material at a time. They can share with others, but this does help with clean up.
ReplyDeleteSue
The Very Busy Kindergarten
Thanks for linking up, Alyce!!!
ReplyDeleteDana
I also think having manipulatives available is important. It's interesting to watch the choices the kids make. At first, they tend to choose what is most visually appealing, for example, teddy bear counters. But eventually they learn to choose what works best for the task.
ReplyDeleteCarol
Still Teaching After All These Years
I agree about the math manipulatives, also. My 4th graders just get what they need when they need it, and sometimes I'm surprised to find them using tools in other subjects! I shouldn't be, but that just goes to show that as a teacher I need to get my math radar going more. About the word walls...I wondered that, too, but I think I will keep them separate. It will work in my room and all the "math" stuff can be together.
ReplyDeleteFarrah
ThinkShareTeach
Hey alyce--I'm teaching elemtary math methods for tabor this fall. Going to add this to my summer reading! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI am really enjoying this book, and find it relevant and helpful. I wish I would have read it as a college student.
DeleteAlyce