Welcome to emergent math. Feel free to explore featured blog posts, Problem Based curriculum maps, or other professional development resources.
Learn MoreA classroom with quality, complex problems as its cornerstones can support English Language Learners. First let’s check out a few “ground rules” about supporting English Language Learners. The following ground rules are not exhaustive, but are pulled strategically from English Language Learners and the New Standards by Margaret Heritage, Aída Walqui, and Robert Linquanti. Use … Continue reading Problem Based Learning and supporting English Language Learners
There is no shortage of criticism of Khan Academy around these parts. In fact, Khan Academy criticism was among the first unifying themes of the math blogosphere. Since then, however, KA has made their platform more robust and useful. And those of us who swore it off might want to take another look. I’m taking … Continue reading What Khan Academy Gets Really, Really Right
When we got a Trader Joe's in our humble little burg of Fort Collins there was much rejoicing. Now we have a place to get all sorts of goodies, which I'll describe in more detail in a moment. Sadly, due to some byzantine Colorado laws they cannot carry Two-Buck Chuck. Nevertheless, I hit up TJ's … Continue reading What teacher training and PD can learn from Trader Joe’s
Recently I had a conversation with a special education coordinator. He was struggling to keep his kids in their classes. They kept getting sent out for disruptive behavior, being off task, or not playing well with others. He talked about parents who would leave IEPs in tears. These meetings - and other informal meetings - … Continue reading I’m not sure what the second step is, but the first to understand
I've given the book talk (by other names) a few times now, and I'm noticing some patterns of what's really resonating. One small, but significant piece that's fostering conversation is a section around Active Caring vs. Passive Caring. I've blogged a bit about this in the past, so feel free to check out those posts. There appears … Continue reading Active Caring, a how-to
Chris and Melissa gave a great talk on the importance of mathematical play at NCTM-Seattle last week. You can see their Math-on-a-Stick work on their website. There you can see pictures and examples and of children enjoying and playing with math in interesting and delightful ways. One of my many takeaways from their keynote was … Continue reading Mathematical play, but, like, for older kids
This is a post in the ongoing Emergent Math mini-series: Routines, Lessons, Problems, and Projects. As we stand on the balcony and gaze out at our own version of the MCU (Math Class Universe) that consists of Routines, Lessons, Problems, and Projects, we must be sure we're not missing the crucial ingredient that stitches it … Continue reading Active Caring (and Epilogue): the essential ingredient
This is a post in the ongoing Emergent Math mini-series: Routines, Lessons, Problems, and Projects. I graduated high school twenty years ago this year. What's remarkable is how little I actually remember about my classes. I remember certain feelings I had towards particular teachers or classes, but not the actual classroom action itself. There are three exceptions. … Continue reading Projects: what they’ll remember in 20 years
This is a post in the ongoing Emergent Math mini-series: Routines, Lessons, Problems, and Projects. Ah problems. I have to reveal my bias here: I love problems. Problematic problems. Problems are where I honestly cut my teeth as an educator. If you're reading this blog, might have stumbled across my Problem-Based Learning (more on that … Continue reading Problems: then a miracle occurs
When you think of a math lesson, you probably conjure up an image of a teacher in front of the classroom demonstrating mathematical concepts. While that certainly qualifies as a lesson, I'd like to broaden your mental image. Consider a "lesson" any facilitated activity where students are building or practicing their content knowledge. In … Continue reading Lessons: the stuff we envision, only better
