Category: BlogPosts

Three stages of counting

Today I had the pleasure of co-teaching a class of 1st graders. Being only the second week of the school year, I was amazed at how deftly the teacher peppered her math lesson with mini-lessons on the various routines and protocols of the classroom. This old former-math-teacher-turned-elementary-coach learned tons about how to run a 1st […]

5 principles for better primary maths teaching

We are now well into the “new” maths curriculum, with its harder Sats papers and higher expectations. The game has changed, but maths teaching has remained largely the same. I believe that it’s time to reconsider how we teach maths. from Pocket Here is where I got this article from. https://www.tes.com/news/school-news/breaking-views/5-principles-better-primary-maths-teaching  

Gender Differences in Math

I just read this short article from NCTM about gender differences in math. It is thought provoking. Please take a moment to read the article. Then find a fellow math teacher and spend a looooong coffee break discussing things that can be done in the classroom to make this better. Here is the article… http://www.nctm.org/Publications/Teaching-Children-Mathematics/Blog/Current-Research-on-Gender-Differences-in-Math/

What is a Trapezoid?

A famous bard once said, “A trapezoid by any other name would still be a trapezium”. Okay…totally not true. But it brings to mind the question I am often asked, “What is the definition of a trapezoid?” In fact, I was asked this question today. So here is my answer… For mathematics, being a subject […]

Bansho (What is it?)

Bansho is a method of teaching developed in Japan that focuses on teaching math through problem solving.  It allows students to see connections and progressions of the thinking involved when developing strategies to solve a problem. from Pocket Here is where I got this article from.