Welcome to my Math Blog!

I love teaching because each year we get to start anew! This past week I started seeing students in their small groups. I really enjoyed catching up with some of my friends from last year and meeting new friends! I look forward to having the opportunity to meet with some parents over the next couple of weeks during your child's teacher conference. If I don't get to meet you, please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions or to set up a time if you want to meet.

I am so happy to have the opportunity to work with students in grades 1-5 this year! It is exciting to see and watch students grow as math learners. If you happen to pass my room, you will notice that I have posted Math Myths outside my door. I read a wonderful article over the summer that talked about pre-conceived notions students have about themselves (and others) as math students. I wanted to list these myths for you, in case you don't get to see them:

Myth #1: You are either good at math or you are not.

Truth: Everyone has the potential to be good at math. We can all grow our math brains!

Myth #2: Being good at math means being fast at math.

Truth: Persistence and not giving up are more important than being fast.

Myth #3: Math is all about following a certain set of rules and procedures.

Truth: There are a variety of ways that problems can be solved. What is more important is finding the way that works and makes sense to you.

I believe in the truths behind these myths and will be reinforcing these with my students throughout the year. I look forward to a wonderful year of math and learning together!

THE END OF THE YEAR AND SUMMER FACT PRACTICE!

The year is winding down and the weather has finally been glorious! I have really enjoyed my year with your children. Each and every one of them has worked hard and grown this year! The students often ask me if they will be coming for math again next year. I always tell them I do not know as it depends, which is the reality. Many things are considered when deciding who will get extra math support. The students were benchmarked at the end of this school year and will be again at the beginning of the school year in the fall. Also, if your child was in grades 3-5 this year - how they did on the NYS math test will also play a part in the decision. Keeping up their skills over the summer will help ensure that they are ready for the fall!

If it's a rainy day or you looking for your child to get in some fact practice, go to any of the sites listed here on my blog. If there are particular facts that you are working on with your child to help them master, you can go on APlusMath and go to flashcard creator and create your own flashcards (this might be fun for your child to do!). There are worksheets you could print off and you could go to the game room and click on addition, subtraction, multiplication or division. 

The following is a list of Apps that Marilyn Burns, a former math teacher and expert in the field has recommended. Some of the Apps are free or are available for a nominal price. These Apps are designed to help build fluency. The more fluent (how quickly and accurately they know their facts) will help them as they will not get bogged down by not knowing a fact when trying to solve a problem. And students love using technology!

Operation Math

Sushi Monster

Quick Math - Arithmetic + Times Tables

Pet Bingo by Duck Duck Moose

Meerkat Math

Math Flash Cards

10Monkeys Multiplication

Math Monsters

Math vs. Zombies

YodelOh Math Mountain

Thank you again for allowing me to work with your children this year! Wishing you a safe and wonderful summer!!!