Imperfect and Unfinished
“I am not a math person.” As we all know, there’s a certain social hazard that comes with our occupation in math education. Folks often feel compelled to tell us their math stories, (often declaring with some amalgam of shame, pride, anger, and resentment): “I am not a math person.” And when they do, we’re … Continue Reading
Welcome! If you came to this blog post because you saw my “Us and Math” talk at the Creative Edge conference at West LA College, you’ll find several resources I mention in my talk below. Feel free to scroll ahead to the “Resources” section. Please keep the conversation gsoing and let me know how my … Continue Reading
I had the opportunity to talk about math on a recent episode of “Rad Parenting” hosted by author and parenting expert Anea Bogue and comedian and record label owner Joe Sib. Math in the Common Core era is a hot button for many parents. So I was asked to speak about how parents can best … Continue Reading
My Dilemma I had an experience last week that has me in a professional dilemma, and I’m looking for your input. My dilemma may be emotionally charged to you; it is to me, but I assure you that I want to seek a positive outcome for everyone involved (the student, teacher, parent, and me) in … Continue Reading
Last week, I wrote about Pair Drawings, one of my favorite ways to establish classroom norms at the beginning of the school year. Starting on the first day of school, I want my students to know these two fundamental norms: Learning mathematics is a collaborative effort. It’s something we do together; it’s not something that … Continue Reading
Welcome back math nerds! The beginning of the year is one of my favorite times of year. Clean slate, clean classrooms, fresh ideas, and refreshing optimism. I also love this time of year because I love building classroom norms and setting the tone for the classroom culture that is necessary for productive and rich mathematical … Continue Reading
A Story A friend and I were reflecting over a beer one evening at Twitter Math Camp in July about how to get more elementary teachers to attend this amazing conference. (Click here to know more!) He’s an inspirational colleague with a background in special education at the elementary and middle school level. We were talking … Continue Reading
Imagine a football team operating like a faculty at a school site. Players (teachers) gather at the beginning of the season (school year) for some team-building and some pep talk (fall PD) about goals and visions for improvement from their coach (principal). The players then study a playbook (curriculum) and some plays (instructional strategies) and … Continue Reading
For the past few months, I’ve been using a “clothesline” as an instructional tool in lesson inquiries to help teachers find ways to engage their students in: thinking about whole numbers and fractions on a number line, reasoning proportionally, wondering about the value of expressions, and solving equations. The clothesline is a simple low-tech visual … Continue Reading
I’m going to start a book study, and I’d like you to join me. Waitwaitwait!!!! Don’t go anywhere. I’m not asking for much. Because this is a book study where you don’t actually have to read the book.
I’m reading Tim Ferriss’s book Tools of Titans. I’ve found his incredibly enlightening podcast “The Tim Ferriss Show” to be filled with ideas that can relate to the professional development of teachers and to the creation of a productive learning culture in the math classroom. His book is no different.
Join the #TT4T conversation!
