Getting Started

I decided to start as basic as possible because I want my students to feel like they have ownership of this space. I want them to see themselves within these learning walls and give them choices to support them with how they learn best. What I think works may not serve all learners. Also, making decisions together will support us with building community. 

A classroom library is in place but the books are not sorted. I hope the kids will naturally decide on a system. Lots of teaching moments can from this...types of genres, author series, alphabetical order, and more. My personal materials are unpacked but are not labelled. I will have the students label them. Most of the writing that is displayed in the classroom will come from the students. They will also help to make decisions on how to organize the materials. If they have a hand in all of this organization they are more apt to use the books and materials, and have an awareness of what is available to them.

The math kit provided by my Board has not been unpacked. This will be one of my math lessons. We will unpack together and the students will have an opportunity to explore all of the materials. During this time we will discuss the importance of using manipulatives and how the manipulatives can support math concepts. I want to students to realize that the manipulatives are thinking tools, and using them is not seen as a sign of weakness. They will be incorporated into almost everything we do. My focus this year will be making math and other kinds of learning very visual.

The bulletin boards have been covered with butcher paper and invitations are attached to them (What Should We Do With This Space to Help Use Learn? and Let's show our thinking and learning here!). My goal is to use some of the boards as documentation panels to show our thinking and how it evolves. We will start with growth mindset and building community and then go from there. 

The students will arrive to find paper on their desks and a note on the board inviting them to create a name tag for their lockers and their desks. I will invite them to choose their own lockers, and their own desks. They will know immediately that they have choices in their learning and in their learning space. Let the community building begin!

My Must-Have Math Resources

I learned math in a very traditional fashion, so I can efficiently calculate but I don't understand how math works. How can I understand the misconceptions or needs of my students if I don't know the math or the structure of specific concepts? In the past year I have attempted to understand math deeply, beginning with number sense.  I am still on that journey. Here are the resources that have supported me thus far...

Marian Small Resources

I can't imagine teaching math without Marian Small. Her big ideas and principles guide my understanding of how math works. Her principles will be my map for each concept so that my students can articulate what they are learning and why it's important.

Cathy Fosnot

I have also learned a lot about how math works from Cathy Fosnot and her Young Mathematicians at Works series. I use her landscapes of learning to understand the structures of the operations. Many informative Fosnot videos can be seen here:
http://learnteachlead.ca/?s=cathy+fosnot&post_type=all

Alex Lawson

Dr. Alex Lawson has also been guiding my thinking. I want to dig more deeply into this resource in my quest to understand number sense. I love Dr. Lawson's video titled The Power of the Number Line which can be viewed here:  
http://www.curriculum.org/k-12/en/videos/the-power-of-the-number-line

Jo Boaler

Jo Boaler is my latest obsession. I'm in a summer book club with this resource, follow her on Twitter, and recently enrolled in her online course for teachers of mathematics. This past year I have focused on visual mathematics and Jo has been my go-to for information. Her web site is awesome.  Check it out!
https://www.youcubed.org

Spatial Reasoning

I am interested in knowing more about spatial reasoning and how to incorporate it into all aspects of the classroom. This book will help me to get started within my math program. It's very informative, with lots of engaging activities.  Stay tuned...

Number Talks

A math program would not be complete without Number Talks. This resource is everything you need to support students with mental math skills. Students learn how to calculate efficiently, how to compose and decompose numbers, and develop a real sense of number with this instructional strategy.

Consolidation

These resources have helped me to develop skills for consolidating math tasks. Facilitating a math conversation is hard work! I've learned the importance of purposefully selecting the student work to be shared, in order for a particular learning goal to emerge; how to question and guide conversations; and how to make connections for students so that they will learn through problem solving.  

A New Beginning

I'm excited to return to the classroom to continue my research on the student learning experience. So far, I have a blank slate. I want my students to help build the environment, to give them ownership of their learning space. I have questions about how much or how little to set up. How do I set up a space that will engage them immediately yet invite them to participate in its creation?