Mathematical Actions and Processes
One of our Mathematical Actions and Processes (MAPS) is for students to develop mathematical reasoning. How can we foster that? One way is to ask higher order thinking questions (HOTS) followed by some wait time to process and some partner time to talk through their reasoning. What are higher order thinking questions ? Below are some question stems that you can use throughout your lessons to help students develop reasoning skills. It may not come easily at first, but your students will grow if you keep working with these question types.
- How can you verify _________?
- What is the most important ___________? Why?
- Why did you choose that strategy?
- What would happen if _________?
- Could you restate in your own words?
- How could you change _____________?
- What is another way we can _______________?
- Why does ___________________ work?
- How is this strategy different from another?
- How is _______________ connected to _____________?
- Predict the outcome if _________________.
- How can you verify _____________?
- Which strategy is most efficient to you? Why?
- How is ___________ like _____________?
- How is ________________ different from ______________?
Math Teachers' Circle
I just thought I'd give you a heads-up that our last MTC meeting of the semester will be on the UCO campus on April 11. Kimberly Adams from the University of Tulsa will facilitate the activity for the evening. Since a meal will be provided, registration will open when we get closer to the event. This will allow us to have a more accurate headcount. I will send the RSVP when we get closer to the date.
I will be attending so if you would like to carpool, please let me know.
Tarsia
This game is a game-maker that we can use at any grade level . It's similar to dominos but better!
Check out the video below to see how you can use it.
Pi Skyline
Hand out graph paper and colored markers or crayons and have students graph the digits of pi using a bar graph format. Once their pi-line skyline is created, invite them to color in the “buildings” and sky, complete with pi-in-the-sky constellations.
Happy Pi Day to You!
Happy Pi Day to You! by Bonnie Worth is an engaging and interactive read-aloud to get kids thinking about and measuring circles. For extra fun, grab a stack of disposable pie plates to re-create the amazing Pi Day hats the characters all wear!
Pi Day Paper Plates
Little ones may not be ready to understand the concept of pi itself, but they can get in on the fun with this activity that introduces them to circles and ratios. All you need are some paper plates, construction paper, and a few other basic supplies. Kids mix and match the pieces to make a complete “pie,” learning more about circles along the way.
Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi
An engaging read-aloud about math? Yes, please! In Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi by Cindy Neuschwander, the main character has been changed into a fire-breathing dragon. His son Radius and Lady Di of Ameter search for clues to the magic number that is the same for all circles in order to change him back! If you love Sir Cumference’s adventures, you’ll be happy to know this book is part of a much larger series.
How Many Jelly Beans?
How many jelly beans are enough? How many are too many? Aiden and Emma can't decide. Is ten enough? How about one thousand? That's a lot of jelly beans. But eaten over a whole year, it's only two or three a day!
Let's Estimate
How much pizza do you need for a dinosaur party? If you don't know exactly, you have to estimate! This lively introduction to the mathematical concept of estimation is straightforward and fun.
With brilliant clarity, David A. Adler explains what an estimate is and the difference between estimating and rounding. Edward Miller's colorful and energetic artwork offers the perfect accompaniment to concise, engaging text. Filled with graspable examples and simple explanations, Let's Estimate will have kids estimating like pros!
Great Estimations
If you are looking for one book for teaching estimation, get this one! It's a visually stunning book that makes teaching estimation fun and interesting. In the book, the left side of most spreads shows crisp photographs of objects in groupings of 10s, 100s, and 1000s. The right side then shows the same objects in an unidentified amount, leading readers to see how to use groupings when estimating.
Beyond Pizzas and Pies (Less than 5 Minutes)
Beyond Pizzas & Pies, Grades 3-5: 10 Essential Strategies for Supporting Fraction Sense
The title of this book is so powerful because it challenges us to think beyond that common context that we use for fractions: Pizzas & Pies. This is just ONE of many things the authors, Julie McNamara & Meghan Shaughnessy, challenge us to think beyond in this book.
All the concepts that kids struggle with around fractions and even common teaching practices that aren’t developing the best fraction sense for our kiddos are addressed in this book.
