• Equations and Word Problems ... It's Math, oh yes! 
     
     
     
     
     

    math guy  
     

    Math is a very exciting time of the day in our classroom! I am very excited to share that student learning now includes both content standards and standards for mathematical practice. These eight essential standards are incorporated into all lessons and activities, providing students opportunities to explore and navigate the content standards at a rigorous level. Each day, our block begins with a whole group mini lesson. This allows me to introduce the skill on a very general level. After the mini lesson, students take part in a guided math rotation. Rather than teaching in a whole class model, the use of small groups allows me to meet the needs of students on a more differentiated level. Here is a brief description of this guided math rotation:

    Pre-Assessment:

    Before each math skill is taught, students complete a brief pre-assessment. These assessments are designed to create a base line for flexible grouping. Furthermore,they provide necessary data to plan remediation and enrichment for students.
    Whole group instruction: 

    At the beginning of the block, a 10-15 minute mini-lesson is taught. In this time, students are introduced to a skill that will be later practiced in depth in a small group. Naturally, this time can vary depending on the skill being taught and initial student understanding as well as the complexity of the skill being addressed.  

    Small Group Instruction:

    In our class, we have three math groups. These groups are homogenous and flexible due to the fact that they are based on achievement and ongoing assessments. During small group instruction students are able to practice new skills through intensive and immediate instruction. Students are informally assessed through work completed on dry erase boards. During this small group time, reteachings and enrichment activities occur as needed based on student data. 

     Math Centers:

    When students are not working in a small group with me, they have the opportunity to work independently or with a partner depending on the learning activity. Students use the math center time to explore math concepts using manipulatives, playing skill based games, problem solving, and reviewing previously learned concepts. Most recently, students are working on writing in math. This type of writing involves students being able to explain their thinking using math vocabulary and process words. As students become more proficient at problem solving, they are also working on sequentially explaining how they solved a word problem. This is certainly a difficult concept for any student, but these fifth  graders are up to the challenge!