Blog Post One: Math Talks

Math Talks

Math talks help students actively develop new ways of thinking about numbers. Math talks encourage students to use their prior knowledge about math, make meaningful connections to mathematical problems and communicate their mathematical understanding in a clear and concise way.

Math talks are extremely accessible, help develop growth mindset, and allow for the participation of learners of all ability levels. One of my favourite Number Talk websites was developed by educator and mathematician, Mary Bourassa. The number talks she, and other collaborators have developed ask students to use their knowledge of number sense to determine which of four numbers does not belong.  What is amazing about this exercise is that ALL students, regardless and ability can engage in this type of rich and open discussion. Answers can be incredibly simple or more comprehensive and nuanced.

These talks are a great way of determining a students level of comfort with different curriculum strands, encourages class discussion and helps a teacher determine a students depth of mathematical understanding.

http://wodb.ca/numbers.html

My "go-to" websites for Gr 7/8 Math

My "go-to" websites

This year, I have relied on a few amazing websites that help me to teach math in a more meaningful and interesting way. I thought I would share these sites with you! 


https://tapintoteenminds.com/ - If you haven't heard of this website already, you are missing out! This is a great place for teachers because they make math lessons that apply to real life! They supply you with lesson plans, iPad apps, book reviews and more! 

http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/vlibrary.html - This website provides you with virtual math manipulatives. Again, it is nicely organized by Grade and Topic, so it is easy for you to find what you are looking for. If you students are hesitant to use manipulatives, you can try using these virtual manipulatives! We know that students are always more engaged when technology is involved! 




http://www.oame.on.ca/clips/ - This website is great because it is organized by Grade and Topic. Your students can visit this website and practice a specific skill you are working on in class.

Youtube channels

Youtube channels for the 7/8 Math class

Today I would like to share a few Youtube channels that I have found to be useful in Grade 7 and 8 Math classes. I incorporate videos into my math lessons a lot and my students love them! Some of them are a bit cheesy but the kids really respond to them and the ideas in the videos stick with them! 

Check out the following channels:

https://www.youtube.com/user/PBSMathClub

https://www.youtube.com/user/mathantics

https://www.youtube.com/user/shmoopdotcom

https://www.youtube.com/user/khanacademy

If there are some other channels that you love, please let me know! 

Illuminations and Inquiry Maths

As we've already discovered throughout the course, there are many different websites that are very beneficial in the math classroom. When browsing the Internet, I cam across a website called Illuminations that offers many different math resources to teachers. There is library of virtual manipulatives : https://illuminations.nctm.org/Search.aspx?view=search&type=ac and these are resources that can be used in the classroom or for individual student purposes depending on the student's needs. This resources spans from kindergarten to grade 12 and there are many fantastic lessons, brain teasers (which provide great warm ups and hooks for math lessons), and many different games offered to each different curriculum big idea. 

Inquiry Maths is also another site that is perfect when teaching math in high school http://www.inquirymaths.org/. The site contains different question prompts that allow students to think critically and use their higher order thinking skills with mathematical concepts. The different prompts stem from Number prompts, algebra prompts, geometry prompts and statistic prompts. Teachers can also create their own prompts and use the assessment framework to guide their evaluation process. Ultimately, students are able to explore diverse paths related to mathematical concepts and the students takes responsibility of their learning. 

Math Drills!

Hi Everyone,

Here’s another great resource that can be integrated into the classroom:

https://www.math-drills.com/

This website contains lessons, worksheets and other useful tools all presented with a clean layout that is easy to navigate. What I like most about it is how organized the content is. Apart from each topic and unit of study being neatly divided, it also has a variety of extras that are incredibly useful in the classroom.

The Interactive Math section provides utilities such as flash cards, games and converters that can prove useful in the classroom. They also have a sections for accommodations such as the large print worksheets to help students who are visually impaired. What is also fun is they have a holiday section with worksheets that have various holiday themes for those festive times of year.

I hope everyone finds it helpful!

Dante

Mathematical Quotes

I'm a big believer in quotes helping to inspire students to always do their best. Sometimes students need that positive reinforcement or that extra "push", especially if they start to daydream in math class or get frustrated with their performance. Here are some quotes that I cam across that are some awesome math quotes that allow students to think about math in a different light or mathematical concepts in real life applications.

Grade 12 - Advanced Functions Connection (with limits)

Mathematics and Relationships

The Relationship with Math and other subjects (ex. science)

Positive and Open Mindsets in Math

Using humour in math

I am a huge fan of puns and jokes, I also believe humour is a great way to make connections with your students. I will see different math jokes pop up on Twitter, Instagram,

and Facebook and it got me thinking...

First it would be a fun Minds On activity to show them and ask them to explain the humour. Another activity that could be effective would be having students try to create their own jokes or puns based on learning in the classroom. Anyway here are a couple of my favourites and let me know if you think this idea would work!