Common Core Mathematics Support Through Illustrative Mathematics:)

As students continue to interact with the common core math standards, they may require a variety of additional supports to build proficiency in the academic demands of math.  Thinking outside the box will be a necessary tool in applying math skills to real world scenarios.  Students will face such challenges as members of task team where collaboration will be the focus in arriving at solutions to a problem.   Such a skill is one that the real world demands in this global workforce. 

Since not every student grasps key concepts at the same time, teachers may wish to employ additional strategies to deliver content effectively to English language learners and those with special needs.  Computers enter the picture here since they have infinite patience.  In this economy, support tools should be free since many districts suffer from ever shrinking budgets.

Keeping this in mind, teachers may like  illustrative mathematics.  All of the math standards are covered here from grades K-12.  Teachers can select the area of math where the students need either to further hone their skills or a real world problem that a team of students must solve.  Another  impressive of this free site is that are a few videos where students explain how they arrived at their answers down to the smallest detail.  This is what common core demands.  Students must go beyond a simple answer to including detailed commentary on how they arrived at their answers.  Of course, this new look at solving problems is probably very unfamiliar to students so such videos might support teachers trying to train students on how to accomplish this goal.

I am not a math teacher, but I do believe that this, along with Khan Academy, would just be another tool to meet the same end---student success:)

Denise

ELL TEACHER PROS
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Math OUTSIDE the Classroom? Help Kids Make that Vital Connection:)

All too often, students rarely see how the math they use in school has many applications in the real world outside of school. In fact, math can have a fun side to it from time to time:) Prove it with this site: FUN MATH FOR KIDS.

Some of the activities I explored were math and music, electoral votes, kite making, tetris math, and create a graph. Directions were easy to follow and actually fun. This is a site that teachers could encourage parents to use with their children. In fact, parents would be able to support classroom lessons with some of these sites. Further, when parents are actively involved in their children's classwork/homework, children are more motivated to learn. Parents are an integral part of a child's education. Any site that encourages that should be widely circulated at Back-to-School Night, parent conferences, etc.

For almost any teacher from any discipline, why not try linking some of the sites to the actual lessons with math applications which you are working on in class? If you are a social studies teacher, why not try CREATE A GRAPH? Graph voting trends in stellar colors and styles. If you are a math teacher, take surveys and graph results. If you are science, create graphs showing lab results. PE? Graph heart rates for the class.

Try it. You will like it:)

Denise
ELL TEACHER PROS

Math Presented in a Video Game Formats! A REAL Crowd Pleaser for Students:)

Sometimes kids need a refreshing approach to reinforce skills taught in class. Often times on the list of "favorite classes" among kids, mathematics holds a low position. That being said, every student has the potential to do well in math if teachers weave in some activities that students relate to and do well in. Arcade games that teach MATH fit the bill here with ease! Such approaches augment instruction and involve even the most reticent student (especially ELLs). The sites I will give you also allow the option for kids to compete against each other. If you are concerned that you might not know how to set up the screen for group competitions, have no fear---your students will have it figured out in less than minute. Remember that they play games on their phones, laptops, and xBox all the time so setups as easy as those on XPMATH and ARCADEMIC SKILL BUILDERS will be a breeze to say the least:) BOTH sites are free, but students must register if they wish to compete against each other.

An algebra teacher invited me to see her class try these sites. Everyone was on task and trying his/her best to win the various races in all the areas of math that they were told to review. The overall consensus was that they wanted to come back! The teacher may be doing this once a week to reinforce the concepts taught in class. She was quite pleased with the results! If you want to try it with your classes, invite a colleague to help monitor the class initially unless your students are accustomed to working on computers.

Enjoy!

Denise

ELL TEACHER PROS

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A Look at CHILD LABOR in the US in 1908-1912

Though child labor is a thing of the past for the most part in the US, it is still an issue in some countries. This site offers a window to the loss of childhood that these children experienced. Children today might develop a deeper appreciation for the lives they lead now--school, a home, parents taking care of their many needs, laws that protect them from unfair labor practices, etc.

This site (at end of post) could easily enhance a lesson in social studies, geography, world history, economics, writing, etc. If this surfaced in an English class, it could be tied to Upton Sinclair's THE JUNGLE (you may download this book for free from this link). As students progressed through the book, they could be reminded of what life was really like for these children--children who didn't know how old they were, who could barely reach the work assigned work area without a box to stand on, who toiled long hours selling newspapers often catching pneumonia (no health insurance), who looked much older than their years due to the harsh working environment, etc.

In an ELD class, these photos could be used to build a comparison/contrast composition. With a double-bubble graphic organizer, students would look at a child's life in 2012 vs a child's life then. This could be done as a small group activity where students could work as teams to complete the graphic organizer. Once the teacher had an opportunity to make sure that everyone was on the same page, s/he could have them start developing their essay outlines. The actual writing of the essay could be done with a partner (if the process is semi-new for them) or individually with teacher support as needed.

CHILD LABOR IN US (photographs and captions from Lewis Hine)

I hope you can use these photos in some of your lessons.

Denise:)

ELL TEACHER PROS

Great Resource for Teaching Personal Finance in Grades K-12!

This site deals with economics. Here teachers will find an extensive collection of lessons on economics, personal finance, and resources for teachers, students of all ages, and after school providers.

Some of the featured lessons covered currently are loan amortization, and calculating simple interest. You will also find interactive tools covering everything imaginable related to economics. I tried the SAVING and INVESTING BLITZ and didn't do as poorly as I had expected:) Of course, in a real class setting, the teacher would also have access to the teaching tools (and state standards) to address this topic (and MANY more) before students attempted the game.

Parents are not left out here either. The resources provided lay out strategies for parents to support their children in learning such things as planning for college, careful spending, developing a savings plan, and more.

PERSONAL FINANCE is wonderful resource that parents, teachers, and some students will definitely want to bookmark to refer to on a regular basis.

Hope you enjoy the site!

Denise
ELL TEACHER PROS

Your Students Will Love THE PROBLEM SITE!

As the winter break fast approaches, teachers are trying to prep students for final exams, assist them in finishing up projects, or complete final drafts on essays. Students need to study, but what can the internet do to liven up the routine a bit? Quite a bit actually:) One site that even has activities for calculus is THE PROBLEM SITE. Everything here is free and contains academic content.

You will find educational games, problems, and puzzles galore! Students may also work on daily puzzles of various types, access resource sites in the reference section on astronomy, math, programming, etc. Teachers can also generate worksheets for free here from a variety of disciplines. One fun activity might be to have students generate worksheets for each other:)

Now, though many of these activities are geared to older students, a new section has been added for all levels of elementary school---THE PROBLEM SITE: JUNIOR EDITION. It seems that, due to high demand, this section is going to be further developed so if you teach lower grades, you will want to bookmark (or save as a favorite) to keep current.

If you would like to access the premium features, you won't have to spend a penny---it is free!

Hope you like the site!

Denise

ELL TEACHER PROS