It’s Elementary! Rethinking the Role of the Elementary Classroom Teacher
Early in my career, the principal of my school shared The Animal School: A Fable, written in the 1940s by George Reavis, assistant superintendent of Cincinnati Public Schools. At the time I was teaching in a fifth-grade self-contained classroom in a K–5 school. That story made a deep impression on me and strongly influenced how I thought about my students—their talents and interests. Read more.
Common Core State Standards for Mathematics: An Uncommon Opportunity
Since the release of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM) nearly three years ago, I have thought long and hard about them. I have considered the standards from the viewpoint of state leaders helping districts to make the transition from previous standards to the Common Core. I have examined the standards closely by asking questions of the CCSSM authors. I have spent time in schools talking with teachers. I have worked at the district level with the elementary teachers and coaches who are preparing to implement the standards. The focus on effective mathematics instruction and efforts to improve it at all levels speak to the potential impact of the Common Core. Read more.
Motivation Matters!
Have you ever spent time carefully planning a lesson only to find your students totally unreceptive? Several years ago, I participated in an outstanding problem-solving seminar and returned to my class eager to put many of the new ideas into practice. Despite my enthusiasm, my students rebelled! Why weren’t my students as excited about this as I was? Was it because they couldn’t solve the problem quickly that they gave up with loud moans of protest? Read more.
What's All This Talk about Rigor?
Recently, I had a conversation with a group of math coaches who are working with elementary teachers on implementation of the Common Core Standards for Mathematics. The discussion turned to a description of rigor in the classroom. The coaches commented that many of their teachers were confused by exactly what was meant by teaching and learning with rigor. The coaches weren’t sure how to respond. Read more.
The Power of a Good Mistake
How often do our students consider their mistakes to be signs of failure?
How many students, as well as parents, believe that the goal of learning mathematics is solely to get the correct answer? How often, on arriving at an answer, do students believe their thinking about the problem is finished? In The Phantom Tollbooth, author Norton Juster offers a valuable contrasting perspective. Read more.
The Touchstone
There is a tale from the Middle Ages about a magic pebble, called the touchstone, that when rubbed against any metal, would turn the metal into gold. It was said that this pebble could be found on the shores of the Black Sea. It looked like any other pebble on the beach. The only difference between the touchstone and the other pebbles was that it was warm to the touch, and all the others felt cold. Read more.
Fluency: Simply Fast and Accurate? I Think Not!
As mathematics educators at all levels consider effective implementation and instruction related to state or Common Core standards, a frequently asked question is, “What does it mean to be fluent in mathematics?” The answer, more often than not, is, “Fast and accurate.” Building fluency should involve more than speed and accuracy. It must reach beyond procedures and computation. Read more.
To Flip or Not to Flip: That Is NOT the Question!
Over the last three decades a variety of instructional strategies have been introduced with a goal of increasing student achievement in mathematics. Such strategies include individualized instruction, cooperative learning, direct instruction, inquiry, scaffolding, computer-assisted instruction, and problem solving. A recent strategy receiving much attention is the “flipped classroom.” Read more.
Reasoning and Making Sense in Mathematics: It’s a K–12 Focus
Since developing its bold Agenda for Action in 1980, NCTM has provided mathematics educators with several groundbreaking publications that have defined a vision for change in mathematics education. Although mathematical content is important in all of these publications, they also focus on the significance of changing traditional approaches to teaching mathematics—change that is critical to offering every child the opportunity to achieve his or her maximum potential in mathematics. Read more.
Back to School Issue
The month of August is a special time for teachers and students. Teachers are preparing classrooms and materials, eagerly awaiting the opening of school. Students are buying school supplies and clothes. Both are likely to be dreading the end of summer vacation but also excited about going back to school. This is a season of anticipation—new teachers, new students, new materials, new ideas—even new pencils. It is an exciting time for everyone. Unlike any other career, teaching offers us a chance for a new beginning—a fresh start! Read more.
Let's Get It Together
As states move toward implementation of mathematics standards—whether the Common Core State Standards or their own—all stakeholders must be involved and knowledgeable to ensure that our students become mathematically proficient. Disjointed efforts to implement standards and improve mathematics teaching and learning will not be effective. Teachers, administrators, parents, and policy makers must work together to improve school mathematics programs. Read more.
Let's Keep Equity in the Equation
Over the last 20 years, equity has remained a burning issue in mathematics education. It is one of the foundational principles of NCTM. More president’s messages have been on equity than on any other topic. We have position statements and books on equity. Equity is also addressed as one of the six Principles in Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (NCTM 2000) ... Read more.
Don't Let Your Students Dis Math
This is the first of many opportunities I will have to share some of my thoughts with you. Having spent most of my career teaching upper elementary and middle school mathematics, I hope to bring a perspective from the classroom that may be new and may challenge your thinking about how we teach mathematics in ways that support student understanding and success. Read more.