First 20 Days in Mathematics

First 6 weeks of school in mathematics….

Following is a list of lesson ideas for the first 6 weeks of school to set up a collaborative math environment. It is in line with our responsive classroom work.  Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to have a lesson on one of these topics. I can also provide a story problem situation that would help facilitate any of the following lessons. This is not an exhaustive list. Feel free to add to it ……

 The expectation and responsibility to learn and participate.  How do we sit/personal space.  Routine for meeting spots.  Selecting numbers that are appropriate for me in a story problem and choosing my own numbers while I am waiting. (just right numbers)  Thinking and talking about mathematics. o How do we work together to solve a problem that is difficult. o How do we agree/disagree with each other. o How do we explain our thinking? o How do I use math words or math vocabulary in my responses. o What do I write if I used math tools to solve my problem. o What does it look like – sound like – feel like when someone is standing in front of the group? o How am I a good audience member? What are my expectations for the classmates?  How to ask a friend a math question.  How to use manipulatives. What are math tools(manipulatives)? When do we use them? What are they used for? o Math tools: 100 bead string, snap cubes, one inch squares.

Christina Miller 2009  How do we evaluate our own learning? Tell the truth  It is OK to be where ever you are at. That is personal.  How to talk with a partner in math when we are working on a problem together.  How to correct math work with a partner so that each person comes to agreement on a solution.  How to make a problem easier to solve. When a problem is too hard students can make it easier by: o Putting smaller numbers in the story problem o Reading one sentence at a time o Putting pictures of the events of the math problem in their head and drawing a picture o Asking a friend for help

 Solving a problem in more than 1 way.  Solving problems in your journal each day.  Proofreading your math problems.  Guidelines for Math Workshop  How to write your own story problem  How to check that your answers make sense  How do we play games so that we are learning and getting better at math skills. (What does the classroom look like and sound like)  The purpose of playing a game in math class is to get better at the skill of the game. Why should I try to use strategies my teacher tells me during a game. For example, as a teacher, if you choose a game that requires students to add 2 digit and one digit numbers and you want students to try to chunk the one digit number and not count by ones, then this lesson sets the tone for students to play games the way they are meant to

Christina Miller 2009 be played in order to reach the goals and objectives that you have.  How do you check your partner’s work or assist your partner during a game that you are playing together. (continuation of the above bullet)

Grades 3-5: Games to get kids “thinking”. These can be found in the Math Lab o Set o Odd One Out o The Toothpick Challenge

You may find that along the year any or many of these lessons may need to be repeated. Sometimes children can get into a routine and not produce quality work. Other times we are not able to get to one of these pieces for a period of time and students forget the expectations, which can happen with math journals.

Christina Miller 2009