From now until the first week in May, it's essentially Math Month--a month of math exploration, explicit teaching, project work, discussion and computation. We've studied math all year at daily intervals, but with the State's math test around the corner, it's time to invest in the discipline with greater depth, time and energy.
I absolutely love teaching math and look forward to this in-depth exploration. We'll use digital tools to create models and share our thinking. We'll use drawing with markers, pens and pencils to craft models and explanations. Carefully, students will practice their facts with numerous online and offline games and tasks. Computation will be reviewed daily, and exploration projects and packets will foster questions and discussion.
I'm excited to try out an even greater blended approach now that we have access to so many online tools such as Symphony Math, Sum Dog, That Quiz, Fast Math, Xtra Math, Kahn Coach, Power My Learning, Manga Math and more. Students will get to explore vocabulary by completing crossword puzzles and making their own. There are countless ways to experience math including explicit teaching as we utilize multiple models, algorithms and equations to solve problems and create meaning.
Math won't stand alone as there will be considerable time to read books of choice and wonderful read alouds too.
Do you hyperfocus on one content area during specific times of the year? If so what do you find are the advantages of this practice? In the meantime, I'll be tailoring assignments, projects and activities to meet the needs, interests and passions of my young math students. If you have any ideas for me, don't hesitate to send them my way.
