Skip to main content

ABOUT the AUTHOR

HI!

As you can see I'm a veteran math teacher (15-ish years in the profession) with a passion for helping students see the WHY behind what they're learning.

I'm also a parent of 2 elementary school kids, so I've found a new appreciation for the ways in which we build number sense in our children.

Now I've started to combine these 2 sides of me into THIS BLOG.  I am not only passionate about teaching students mathematics, but also about building their confidence - and I believe that confidence starts at home.  As soon as students stop hearing how HARD math is, or how RIDICULOUS this "new" math is, or how their parents NEVER use this stuff it becomes vastly easier for me to get students to buy in and work hard.

This quarantine (yes, I'm writing this from my "home/school office" in April 2020) has helped me see just how much parents NEED some help in understanding the WHY behind their children's homework.

It's not just about teaching students anymore!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The sum is the same, no matter how you got there; so how'd you get there?

  Yet another example of adults saying "But there's a better way..."  No one would argue that you, adult, can add probably faster than an elementary school student.  We are in the process of building UP TO that speed and accuracy. By encouraging your child to imagine the groupings, you are building their imagination (draw whatever you'd like!), their math skills (count up, make 10s), and their mental flexibility ALL IN 1 PROBLEM!  Check out my NEW addition video for a little more about how this problem is VERY similar to what many adults already do! Making sense of a problem IRL isn't about having an algorithm to write out your work. Instead it's about applying what you know to a REAL situation.  This is what most adults think of when they see  an addition problem: But this is what many                                                ...
Post a Comment
Read more

There's HOW MANY ways to add 2 numbers?

To answer the title question - a LOT! We take for granted that most of us adults can add quickly because we "know our math facts".  For many of us that may be true, but I would bet that the vast majority of adults out there do quite a few of the addition strategies your children are taught in elementary school without even knowing it! This video addresses some of the addition strategies that I've seen frustrating parents.  Addition Video As always, let me know if there's a topic you'd like to see Demystified! 
Post a Comment
Read more

On the Line: Fractions, the Real F Word

Drawing a picture is one way to envision a fraction problem, but it certainly isn't the only way.  Another strategy for dealing with fractions is to utilize a number line. A number line is really the school version of a tape measure - and every carpenter or contractor knows their tape measure fractions!  If we expose students to the number line early and often, then as they start to investigate negative numbers the concept will be clearer. We aim for students to be flexible and nimble in their thinking, so if one pattern or strategy doesn't work they don't give up - instead they have another tool in their tool box (perhaps a tape measure?) to use.
Post a Comment
Read more