Guided Math, Chapter 5

I've talked about Guided Math--the framework, Creating a Classroom Environment of Numeracy, Using Math Warm-ups, and Whole Class Instruction. Today I move on to Small Groups.

Small groups totally makes sense to me. We use guided reading in my district, so using guided math would follow along as well. And I love the Daily 5. Children learn to read by reading, and become mathematicians by doing math.

One item on my summer bucket list was to learn about differentiated math. Well, I think I've found a fabulous resource. Differentiated can be many things. I could adjust the content. Or the product. Or the process. Or the pace. My choice, depending on what the small group needs are. The groups can change as the content changes or the students change. Just keep track of it all in some way (not my strongest quality as a teacher, definitely something to work on).

I will be tabbing the pages about forming small groups, planning for small groups, and teaching a small group lesson.

As a math student, I loved following procedures. I could usually understand the concept, but I loved a formula. I could do that. Follow the steps. For those reasons, my teachers (and parents) thought I was a good math student. But as soon as I was done with high school math credits, I was done. No more. Then on to college. I needed a math credit. Great. So I signed up for the class recommended for El. Ed. majors, Intro to Math. (I can do that, right, it's an into class?) Wow, it was much more difficult than I anticipated, but lucky for me, there were still some formulas to save me.

Why the tangent? It helps me to accept this. Math is "not just about finding answers, but is really more about growing ideas" (page 170). I have to be able to reach the students and get them to a deep understanding of the ideas of math. Not just know that 1 + 1 = 2, but what does that represent? And one way to get there is to use small groups. 

Next task: what are the deep, conceptual ideas of first grade math? Will I find that in my math manual or the Common Core Standards?

Hop on over to Toad-ally Exceptional Learners and Pitner's Potpourri to see what others have to say about chapter 5!

  

Thanks to our wonderful hosts for hosting this book study:

Chapter 1: Primary Inspired

Chapter 2: Third Grade Gridiron

Chapter 3: Making It as a Middle School Teacher

Chapter 4: Once Upon a Teaching Blog and Sweet Seconds