I am rereading Liping Ma’s Knowing and Teaching Elementary Mathematics for a class. It’s an exceptional book; I’d put it on the Mount Rushmore of books about math education (that might be a post for another day). For those who haven’t read it, the book is an exploration of elementary math instruction in the U.S. … Continue reading Reconceptualizing “more math” for pre- and in-service teachers
No pushback: So I guess education has given up
In 2019, North Carolina attempted to push through a bill that would force trans individuals to use the bathroom of their sex assigned at birth, rather than their current gender. It was only a few years ago, but there was mass outrage in a way that seems unthinkable today. Most notably, the National Basketball Association … Continue reading No pushback: So I guess education has given up
Is the Subway Footlong Pass Worth It?
This post is for all you Italian BMT heads out there. For the month of April 2023, Subway customers have the option of purchasing a "Subway Footlong Pass" for $15. You then get 50% off all (I think) Subway sandwiches for the month (digital orders only). Purchase YourFootlong Pass NowPurchase a $15 Pass and get … Continue reading Is the Subway Footlong Pass Worth It?
A few reasons to teach, learn, and do math
As you may have heard, adults don't need or use math. One can be a successful human without being a successful math learner. In fact, most adolescents and young adults will stop taking mathematics as soon as their school no longer requires them to do so. So why do we force adolescents and young adults … Continue reading A few reasons to teach, learn, and do math
Qual Guy: How I came around to Qualitative Research
In between teaching math and where I’m at today - in the final year of a PhD program in math education - I obtained a master’s degree…. in atmospheric science. Makes perfect sense right? I won’t bore you the details, but my reasoning was that I’ve always been interested in weather and climate and I … Continue reading Qual Guy: How I came around to Qualitative Research
The Warm Body Problem: Digital Curricula and the Looming Teacher Shortage
How ought digital curriculum developers be thinking about teacher shortages?
Three Strategies to Help Improve Students’ Conception of Math – Part 3: Do Math With Students (Not at Students)
You know how teachers are supposed to join in when they do “Drop Everything and Read”? We should have the same attitude in math. My third recommendation to help students reconcieve of math as a discipline that goes beyond calculation is to do math with students. Most teaching time is spent with the teacher doing … Continue reading Three Strategies to Help Improve Students’ Conception of Math – Part 3: Do Math With Students (Not at Students)
Three Strategies to Help Improve Students’ Conception of Math – Part 2: Do Useful Math
In my previous post, I discussed one way to provide tasks that help students reimagine the discipline of mathematics: doing creative math. This post discusses the second of three strategies: doing useful math. To me, the interesting thing about math is that it is at once a plaything with seemingly no utility and an immensely … Continue reading Three Strategies to Help Improve Students’ Conception of Math – Part 2: Do Useful Math
Three Strategies to Help Improve Students’ Conception of Math – Part 1: Do Creative Math
How can we offer students a truer and more open conception of mathematics? Part 1: Do creative math.
Explainer post: A year’s worth of Algebra Warm Ups
Take me to the Warm Ups Landing Page We all have summer projects. Personally, I like to go into my back yard annually and destroy it a little bit (followed by putting something in its place). In addition to year projects, I always like to give myself at least one summer blog-ish project. These projects … Continue reading Explainer post: A year’s worth of Algebra Warm Ups
emergent math 