In this episode, we continue to tackle the huge PISA report found at… http://www.oecd.org/publications/ten-questions-for-mathematics-teachers-and-how-pisa-can-help-answer-them-9789264265387-en.htm We focus on Question #2: Are some mathematics teaching methods more effective than others? Really, this episode focuses specifically on cognitive-action strategies. What are they? How effective are they? When should they be used? If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, […]
This episode is special because it is our first episode topic that was suggested by a listener. A huge shoutout to our friend Erick Lee (Twitter handle @TheErickLee) who suggested this great report published by OECD. If you are on Twitter, please give Erick a follow! Here is the link to the report: http://www.oecd.org/publications/ten-questions-for-mathematics-teachers-and-how-pisa-can-help-answer-them-9789264265387-en.htm Every […]
When do you know it’s time to try something different in your math lesson? For me, I knew the moment I read this word problem to my fifth-grade summer school students: “On average, the sun’s energy density reaching Earth’s upper atmosphere is 1,350 watts per square meter. from Pocket Here is where I got this […]
Just this morning I found myself down the rabbit hole that is Twitter when I stumbled across this Twitter post… Here’s tomorrow’s challenge! It’s a tough one #barvember #teacherchallenge https://t.co/l51qbc6sFq pic.twitter.com/F3nWijagfk — White Rose Maths (@WhiteRoseMaths) November 6, 2017 BARVEMBER? What the heck is that?!?!? What does that curious word have to do with llamas […]
Does using a textbook necessarily mean you are a bad or lazy teacher? NO! Let’s rethink that age-old myth that to be a good teacher one must create or curate everything. It’s time to replace the “Good Teacher Doctrine” with a mindset that views the teacher and curriculum in a partnership.
Interested in learning more about GeoGebra and how it can be used in ANY math class? Consider coming to Merced on January 11, 2018. We are going to have a blast learning the three phases of GeoGebra: Borrow from others Break an applet to learn how it was made Build your own applet from scratch […]
While nothing can adequately replace the REAL thing, virtual manipulatives play an essential role in a student’s journey towards developing a profound understanding of mathematics. That’s a bold claim! Let’s go a little deeper… You’ve heard of CPA? Concrete – Pictorial – Abstract. Sometimes it is referred to as CRA. (Concrete – Representational – Abstract) […]
We’re breaking from our normal two-week cycle because Maggie works in Santa Rosa right in the middle of those big fires[1] you likely heard about. We had taken a bit of a break from recording while Maggie’s family packed and readied themselves for an evacuation that could have happened at any moment. After having been […]
Imagine your dream class. What does it look like? What does it sound like? What does it feel to be in such a class? I’m sure we would all have a long list of characteristics of this dream class. Certainly one thing sure to be on our list is MOTIVATED STUDENTS. We all want them. […]
It is hard to imagine that in this day and age – with all the new brain research, neuroscience, sophisticated studies at hand – that we still have to convince people that math anxiety is a real thing. This reminds me of a true medical story: In 1980 an Australian doctor[1] discovered that (and proved […]