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THINKFINITY

Math Talk

As our district begins using the new resource Math in Focus and continues to implement the Common Core State Math Standards, I am finding it more and more imperative that students learn how to communicate and problem solve with each other. The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics has been expressing that need for decades, but more and more educators are finally taking notice.

NCTM has a two-part article with suggestions for asking good questions and promoting discourse in your classroom:

Asking Good Questions and Promoting Discourse Part I

Asking Good Questions and Promoting Discourse Part II

Model Drawing in Math in Focus

Upper elementary will be teaching some Math in Focus lessons soon using model drawing. To give the students the background they need, here are two supports to use:

Show your students this Prezi to give them an overview of how bar models can be used: CLICK HERE

Have your students go to this website to practice solving word problems with bar models: THINKING BLOCKS

Those annoying Math in Focus Teacher Edition spirals!

Thank you, Shawn, for this great idea! Now the pages won't slip off the spiral. Problem solved with 2 tiny pony beads and some glue.

How to add classes in Think Central

For parents to see their child's math book online, teachers must first create classes in Think Central. For directions on how to do this, CLICK HERE.