Recently I was invited to be a member of the EOSDN Panel Presentation at CAfLN (Canadian Assessment for Learning Network Conference & Symposium) held at Queen’s University. CAfLN is a member-led, non-profit organization connecting people across Canada who are interested in the use of assessment for learning and the … More Assessment for Learning – Fractions »
Recently I had the opportunity to work in a Grade 6 classroom as they began a unit on division and multiplication. The teacher gave the students the following problem from the Ministry support guide (division) to begin. The purpose for that day was to see what the … More Proportional Reasoning – Division »
When it comes to math, I have mixed feelings about success criteria at times. Yes, I believe that it is important for students to know what they need to do in order to be successful, but if we want students to solve problems in a way that makes sense to … More Success Criteria – Timing is Everything! »
I love problems that provide authentic opportunities to cluster several big ideas. Recently, I was in a classroom where the teacher gave the following problem to his students. Tia is filling a bucket with water. She knows that 500 ml of water comes out of the hose every 10 seconds. … More Proportional Reasoning – Measurement »
With our focus on proportional reasoning many educators are discovering that it is everywhere in our math curriculum. Once we become aware of this we know what to look for and listen for so that we can impact students’ fluency and flexibility with numbers. Recently, I gave the following problem … More Proportional Reasoning and Area »
Explicit teaching must take place in the consolidation part of the shared math lesson when working with EQAO type thinking questions. To be most effective, teachers need to know the learning goal. As Dr Marian Small says the learning goal should be connected to understanding and less about doing. When … More Explicit Teaching – Timing is Everything! »
I just finished making brownies (from a box) with my granddaughter Charlotte who is in Junior Kindergarten. I was reminded about all of the ways both math and literacy can be injected into a fun time. I baked with my own children when they were young but I know … More Tasty Math Homework »
Recently in a Gr 5-6 classroom the teacher gave this question (see photo) to his students to solve in pairs. Some students had different numbers to work with. This is an example of a thinking type question found yearly on EQAO. These questions are the most difficult for … More EQAO Thinking Questions »
I love games that require very little preparation and materials but really focus on important math concepts and skills. Here is one that will allow students to identify different coins and understand their value. In addition they are developing an understanding of equal groups and unitizing … More Money Race Games »
Last month I wrote a post called, “Preciseness Will Impact Student Achievement”. After posting it, I remembered something that I had written a few years ago. Due to a stroke in December 2011 that left my husband unable to speak or write we became involved in the InteRACT program at … More Assessment – The Key to Precision »
