Have you heard of the education website Noodle Education? I've been exploring the site quite a bit and I have to say, it seems to be a wealth of information regarding all different aspects of education! There are tips and advice for finding schools from preschool all the way to college, as well as a simple place to search for tutors, no matter what subject. If you are not familiar with the site, I thought I would tell you about some of the Keep Reading...
Sometimes Quality is More Important than Quantity
Photo Credit: woodleywonderworks via Compfight cc {text added} When I was student teaching, one of the classes I taught in was an honors 8th grade pre-algebra class. It was a fun group, and I really enjoyed working with that teacher, but the thing that sticks out the most is the day we spent the entire class period working on one problem. Yup, forty-five minutes, one problem. At the time, I was shocked that the teacher would spend so Keep Reading...
5 Tips to Teach Math with Confidence
So far, I have successfully taught one out of four of my children to read. While that is incredibly encouraging and exciting, I was definitely not confident and sure of myself when we first started on this journey! I’m a math teacher. I don’t know anything about teaching reading! What I have realized, however, is that for many homeschooling moms, it’s just the opposite. The thought of teaching your kids math is terrifying. Maybe you were never Keep Reading...
FREE Online Summer Math Program!
Have you heard? This summer (starting sometime in May) TenMarks.com is offering their summer math program (normally $39.95) for FREE! Their goal is to help students retain the math they worked so hard to learn or maybe even get ahead during the summer months so they can be ready and confident to jump back in in the fall. I'm very excited about this because my daughter loves doing math and playing games on the computer, so this Keep Reading...
Problem Solving by Drawing a Picture
I am a very visual learner. Whenever I am facing a word problem of any kind, my initial reaction is to draw a picture. Even if it is a fairly simple problem and I think I already know how to solve it (or even already know the answer), I will almost always still draw a picture. While this is an especially useful strategy for visual learners, I believe that problem solving by drawing a picture can be helpful for any student! -->Pssst! Do your Keep Reading...
4 Reasons Teaching Math Vocabulary is Vital
Photo Credit: woodleywonderworks via Compfight cc (Text added) There were many reasons why I opted to major in mathematics rather than history, art history, or English (although let’s be honest…I never really considered majoring in English.). One of the main reasons, however? Math doesn’t require reading and writing. Just numbers and problem solving. That was my thinking anyway, as I jumped into my freshman year. And to some extent, I Keep Reading...
Problem Solving by Solving an Easier Problem
One of the most important things students should be learning in math class is not some specific, useful math topic or skill, but how to problem solve. Math is not easy! If students understand that math is hard, and requires thinking and practicing, they will be less likely to give up at the first sign of trouble. If students understand that it’s ok to wrestle with a problem for a little while, and maybe even make some mistakes first, they won’t Keep Reading...
5 Reasons to Read in Math Class
Looking for ideas or reasons to read in math class? Learn why this is such a powerful tool to learn & explore math and find math picture book resources to get started. I will never forget my first day in my Reading Across the Curriculum class as part of my graduate studies. The goal and purpose of the class was to learn how to integrate reading and good books into any and all classrooms. As a future math teacher, I scoffed at this Keep Reading...
Time For Spring! {FREE Telling Time Practice Worksheets!}
Are you ready for spring?? I know we are here at our house! To celebrate the coming warm weather and all the blessings of spring, I've put together some fun, spring themed worksheets to work on telling time! I've been working on telling time with my daughter, so I created these to work on skills with her and thought you might enjoy them too! This set includes a page for telling the correct time to solve a spring-themed riddle, a page to Keep Reading...
Math Myths Debunked: Math is Just a Set of Rules to Memorize
I’ve heard this myth in various forms from various people all my life. I’m sure you have too! And I’m sure in some classrooms {unfortunately} there is truth to it. But it doesn’t have to be this way! What is this math myth? “Math is just a boring set of rules and formulas to memorize.” Let me let you in on a little secret: Math is NOT just rules and formulas! And Math should not be learned (and I would argue cannot be learned in a Keep Reading...
