Just for Fun!

Click on the caption of picture below to discover an Edudemic post titled "10 Lesser Known Facts About Math" by Katie Lepi.

As seen on Edudemic  May 15, 2014

Concrete - Pictorial - Abstract

Each new mathematical concept is introduced using concrete materials and pictorial representations before moving to recording the mathematics in an abstract way.

This process allows students to spend time "seeing" the math which will help them later visualize as they apply the mathematical concepts to new situations.  We want students to understand what is happening mathematically and why before they dive into applying an algorithm or formula to a problem.  One of the most important questions that teachers are asking students in our math classrooms is "how do you know?"

What is Kakooma?

Kakooma is a puzzle within a puzzle.  There are puzzles for addition, negative numbers, multiplication and even fractions.  Follow this link to learn more and play! 

http://gregtangmath.com/Kakooma

Math in Focus Parent Night

Hope to see you at the SAU 15 Math in Focus Parent Night at the Candia Moore School!

Happy Pi Day!

Every year we celebrate "Pi Day" on March 14.  Why March 14?  Because it equals 3.14!  

I hope you enjoy this video, "Learn about Pi with Max and Morty" by Apperson Prep to celebrate Pi Day!

What is Singapore Math?

Dr. Yeap Ban Har explains the origins of Singapore Maths at a London seminar for teachers in June of 2011.

Number Sense

Number sense is a student's overall understanding of numbers and their relationships.  It gives students the context they need to build an understanding of mathematics.  We are working hard at helping our students build a strong number sense foundation on which they can build their computational strategies.  

Students begin building number sense by learning that every number can be broken apart into other numbers -  this is known as part-whole thinking.  Understanding part-whole relationships gives students the confidence they need to work with numbers and build computational proficiency.  

One activity that you can do at home to help your child practice part-whole thinking is a game called Tic-Tac-Ten.  This is a partner game that requires a blank tic-­tac-­toe board and a die. Each person rolls the die to see what number comes up and then places that number strategically on the board. The goal is to get 10 in a vertical or diagonal row while blocking your opponent from getting 10.

Middle School Parent Night

We are looking forward to an SAU 15 Middle School Parent Night for Math in Focus!  Hope to see you there!

Math in Focus Demonstration Lessons

Throughout the month of November kindergarten through grade 6 teachers had the opportunity to learn from a Math in Focus consultant.  Teachers were able to observe the consultant teaching our students and then as a group examined the structure, pacing and strategies employed by the consultant.  The demonstrations proved to be a valuable experience for our students and teachers.

Homework

Forty-one parents attended the Math in Focus Parent Information Night on Wednesday!

Some of the "tips for parents" that were shared included what you can expect to see in work that comes home:

• Greater use of visuals and language
• Students will eventually be asked to use the standard algorithms
• Higher level questioning
• Fewer nights of homework
• Fewer problems, but more critical thinking
• It is important to allow your child to do the work independently
• Have your child teach you to give them the opportunity to solidify their learning by "teaching"
• Let homework go back to school incomplete if the child is not understanding so that the teacher can reflect on that
• Write a quick note to the teacher to let them know that the child tried, but was not finding success

Good questions to ask your child about their homework include:

• What do you remember from class?
• What do you think this means?
• Can you show me how to work the problem?
• Can you explain this problem to me?

Parental support and positive attitudes will go along way in helping your child succeed in math!!

Math in Focus Parent Information Night

I hope to see you at the Math in Focus Parent Information Night tomorrow night at 7:00PM at Hooksett Memorial School.  Phyllis Yucatonis, Math in Focus professional development trainer, will be leading parents through some of the concepts and problems that your children will encounter at the different grade levels.

What is mental math and why is it important?

Developing a solid understanding of numbers through concrete materials and visualization helps students become more proficient at mental math.  The video below describes how mental math develops and its importance in becoming proficient in mathematics.

Mark Your Calendars!

What is Rigor?

We tend to talk a lot about rigor in mathematics education, but what exactly is rigor?  There is a common misconception that rigor in mathematics means that something is just more difficult or challenging.  I found a great blog post from mindsteps that I believe describes the rigor that we are working toward with our mathematics education in the Hooksett School District.

What is a Ten Frame?

If you're wondering what a ten frame is and how it can be used to help students develop number sense... watch this video example of a first grade student.

What will Math in Focus look like in the classroom?

Math in Focus is aligned with Common Core State Standards, the new more rigorous standards we are working to meet to ensure our children are competitive both nationally and internationally.

What will you see in the classroom?

Focused Work and Mastery!  Math in Focus introduces fewer topics in each grade, but teaches them deeply and to mastery.  In the past, we have introduced many topics, but have not had the opportunity to go in depth, and ensure our students truly understand concepts to mastery.

Visual and Balanced Approach! Math in Focus is highly visual, following a concrete-to-pictorial-to-abstract progression. 

Focus on Number and Operations!  Math in Focus is sequenced in a way that ensures students develop a strong number sense.  Students spend much of the first half of the year studying number.  This is necessary to move on to more complex and abstract thinking.


Problem Solving Using Model-Drawing!  The Singapore approach utilizes model-drawing strategies to help students solve problems.  The problems utilized in Math in Focus are high quality and complex in nature.

Importance of Attitudes and Metacognition!  The Singapore approach emphasizes the importance of attitude, and the ability to self-monitor while problem solving to achieve success in math.  Students will be learning about perseverance as well!  We know they can spend endless hours on certain things (like video games), so let's build stamina in math as well.  We want our children to be able to think and problem solve - a life skill!

Source: Singapore Math Curriculum Information

Mark Your Calendars... Math in Focus Parent University

During the Math in Focus Parent University, parents and guardians will participate in engaging strategies, pictorial models, games, and more key features of Math in Focus™: The Singapore Approach.  Parent preparation and the establishment of a strong home-school connection will help to ensure an easier transition for students, parents and teachers using Math in Focus™.

Problem Solving is at the Center

The Singapore Ministry of Education developed this graphic to represent their philosophy for teaching mathematics.  As you can see, problem solving is at the center.  Each time a new concept is introduced in the Singapore textbooks, problem solving is central to the discussion.  It is surrounded by five inter-related elements:

• Skills - such as estimation, mental calculation; use of mathematical tools; numerical & algebraic calculation; data analysis
• Concepts - numerical, analytical, algebraic, geometrical, statistical concepts are connected and interdependent
• Processes - reasoning, communication, making connections, thinking skills, application & modeling are necessary for aquiring and applying mathematical knowledge
• Metacognition - thinking about one's own thinking & monitoring one's own learning
• Attitudes - building enthusiasm, confidence, perseverance, appreciation & interest

Students are encouraged to consider how they think about math, communicate mathematically, and solve problems all in an effort to help them apply these skills to new problems that they may be faced with in math class and beyond.

A Quick Look at Math in Focus

Click here for a quick look at the Math in Focus program and the story behind it.

Welcome to the HSD Math Blog!

This blog was created to keep you up to date on what is happening with mathematics in the Hooksett School District.  The focus this year will be on the implementation of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics and our new mathematics program, Math in Focus Singapore Math by Marshall Cavendish.  I hope that you will find the resources on the student, parent and teachers pages helpful as we move through an exciting and challenging year of mathematics education in Hooksett.