Building mathematical understanding through concrete and representational activities has long been known to create deep learning. According to Stein and Bovalino (2001), "Manipulatives can be important tools in helping students to think and reason in more meaningful ways. By giving students concrete ways to compare...
If your list is as long as mine, you are already wondering how you might get it all done before the start of next school year. Every little thing I couldn’t focus on, or fit in this school year went on my “I’ll work on...
We are funny creatures, us teachers. If you were to converse with any educator in the last few weeks of school, you would instantly pick up on the extreme exhaustion and overwhelm. And yet, talk with the same teachers, not even a week after school...
I have been using the TRU dimension framework (Teaching For Robust Understanding) a lot lately in coaching situations as well as in demonstration lessons where I am observed. Â One of my favorite parts of this framework is the student version of the framework. Specifically, the criteria...
What is the math model teachers skip the most? You guessed it, comparison bars.  Depending on the curriculum you use, you might also have heard them called tape diagrams. They are essentially the same thing. I get it, they seem complicated. Why can't we just use keywords?...
Recently, I had the pleasure of being a part of several equivalent fraction lessons in 3rd and 4th grades. From California to Minnesota, to Colorado—and everywhere in between, I encourage teachers and students to have the same conversation: equivalent fractions are weird. And they are, aren’t...
Would you say you’re a nosy person, a bossy person, or both? I’d have to say in my personal life I’m a little bit of both. My younger sister and older brother would both agree I may have been a bit ( a lot) on the...
Which should I use? When? Why? Let’s dive into some of my thoughts on the matter. Whiteboards: A place to try out and play with ideas.  Rough Draft vs. Final Draft Thinking Whiteboards allow for rough draft thinking. There is something very permanent about paper and pencil. You...
Yes. You. I mean you. The well-intentioned, passionate, determined educator grabbing a few moments to read this headline. Stop it. I mean it. And really. I'm talking to myself too. If you are anything like me, my teaching friend, you struggle with the same thing. You are quick to...
I don’t have time in my instructional day—the lessons take forever as is! I don’t have time to let students lead, it’s just faster if I do. We did it for a while, but we have other things to do now (do I have to do them...