Teaching through mathematical modeling within local community contexts in the elementary grades is at the very core of equitable teaching in mathematics. One way to see this connection is to draw upon the framework offered by Bartell et al. (2017) on the research linking equitable teaching with the Standards for Mathematical Practice. Below is the…
Read MoreWorked with 52 amazing Gr 3-8 VA teachers @VaSCL on using learning progression to position students as being “math strong” with mathematical powers that empowers them-moving away from deficit language to catalyze change in Elem & Middle School and bring #ETP Equitable Teaching Practices in the math class @kmorrowleong @Mathburner @math_rickard @Deb_crawford @nctm Launched the…
Read MoreAs I begin a new semester with excited new pre-service teachers, I am inspired by Ilana Horn’s book @ilana_horn, Motivated- Designing Math Classrooms Where Students Want to Join In! She identifies five features of a motivational classroom: Students’ sense of belongingness, the meaningfulness of learning, students’ competence, structures for accountability and students’ autonomy. Dr. Horn shared…
Read MoreMathematical Modeling (MM) now has increased visibility in the education system and in the public domain. It appears as a content standard for high school mathematics and a mathematical practice standard across the K-12 curriculum (Common Core Standards; and other states’ standards in mathematics education). Job opportunities are increasing in business, industry and government for…
Read MoreSense of Wonder and curiosity is innately wired in human beings. http://www.5280math.com/noticing-and-wondering/ https://www.mathhooks.com/ http://robertkaplinsky.com/lessons/ There are a number of resources available as sources of great, engaging mathematics tasks. Michigan-developed MAISA CCSSI Units (Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators – Common Core State Standards Initiative) Grades: kindergarten through high school The MAISA project has taken the CCSS-M and…
Read MoreMath Literacy, according to the PISA’s Math Framework (2015), places the emphasis on the math modeling process and describe it as the “ability of students to analyze, reason and communicate ideas effectively as they pose, formulate, solve and interpret mathematical problems in a variety of situations. The PISA mathematics assessment focuses on real-world problems, moving beyond…
Read MoreWith my work with Mathematical Modeling and Teaching practices, I think hard about the art of asking questions. Harvard Business School article by Pohlmann and Thomas (2015) write about “Relearning the Art of Asking Questions” https://hbr.org/2015/03/relearning-the-art-of-asking-questions The curious four-year-old asks a lot of questions — incessant streams of “Why?” and “Why not?” might sound familiar —…
Read MoreCuriosity Kids are relentless in their urge to learn and master. As John Medina writes in Brain Rules, “This need for explanation is so powerfully stitched into their experience that some scientists describe it as a drive, just as hunger and thirst and sex are drives.” Curiosity is what makes us try something until we can do…
Read MoreSuh, J.M., Birkhead, S., Baker, C., Frank, T., Seshaiyer, P. (April, 2017) Examining Coaching Structures that Supported Mathematics Teacher Learning. Presented at National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, San Antonio, TX. Suh, J.M. & Matson, K. (April, 2017). Mobilizing Teachers as Researchers to Promote an Innovative Classroom Practice of Implementing Mathematical Modeling in the Elementary…
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