Tag: mathteacher

Here we are… coming up to the halfway point of the school year. You have probably already had at least one parent teacher conference by now. But how have they been doing since then? What support do you have in place? What are you doing over the break to help them so they don’t have learning loss? The second half of the school year can sometimes bring new challenges. This part of the year seems to be more inconsistent with the multiple breaks and if you are in the colder climates, snow days. Not to mention, the content is more challenging as the year progresses as well as builds on the year’s prior knowledge. Here are a few things you can do to check in on your child’s progression.

1. Talk to your child’s teacher. Ask how they are doing. Are there any math sites that they can practice at home? What progress has been made?
2. Talk to your child. You will be amazed with their ability to articulate their understanding or lack of. Ask if they need help. Ask how they feel.
3. Sit with your child during homework. Sometimes you may feel like you don’t know the work but that’s what Xtra Fly Math  is here for. Look at our videos. Suggest a tutorial. We are here to help you as well as your child.
4. Be patient. We know that sometimes it seems like they should have it but sometimes there are other factors in the way. Don’t become frustrated. Some things take time. 

Math can be challenging and times can get hard. Don’t give me and remember that we have your backs. Enjoy your holiday!

I remember being in 4th grade vividly. It was the year I questioned my love for Math. I knew that it was my strength before, but after this year, I was in doubt. My teacher was not a fan of Math. Her favorite subject was Reading. I could tell even at nine years old because of the difference in the way she taught each subject. Well there was a certain way that I saw math problems that she didn’t see and even though it was the right answer, it wasn’t her way so it was wrong. This is the reason why to this day, I am such an advocate for accepting all mathematical thinking. Math is abstract and universal. We teach all of these different ways to get to an answer but want students to do it “your way”. This also applies to parents. We were taught a certain way when we were younger and we sometimes push that way on our kids. My suggestion is to 

1. LISTEN. Listen to their reasoning. 
2. Make sure students SHOW their work. This is how you know what they did wrong if there is a mistake.
3.  Don’t get stuck in your way of thinking and think that is the ONLY way.
4. If you don’t understand their thinking, look it up. We all have access to google. If they have the right answer, they can’t be that off. 

The way you react can make or break a child’s feelings towards Math. Make sure their experience is positive. 

Liz

How do you learn best? Are you a visual learner, auditory (sound), or kinesthetic (tactile)? I just had this conversation with a coworker and it inspired me to write about this topic! Being aware of the type of learner you are could make the difference in your academic success. Some teachers only teach to one type of learner and then the other students suffer. I am personally a visual learner. I need to see some type of visual representation in order to make the connection. I’m the type of person that when someone says a math problem, I may visually trace it in the air. An auditory learner sometimes repeats things after you say it. They are not trying to be rude, they are saying it again so that they can process what was said. A kinesthetic learner thrives with manipulatives. They need to touch things and have a physical representation. They may be the ones that constantly have something in their hands. Again, they are not being rude, it is just how they stay focused. 

As a parent and a teacher, it’s a great idea to be mindful not only of the type of learners you have in your class, but the type of learner that you are as well. Sometimes, you might catch yourself teaching the way that you learn but not thinking about the other types of learners around you. How can you determine the type of learner you are? There are different tests out there, but here are a few that we suggest. 

What type of Math Learner Are You?

Learning Styles Inventory

What is your learning style? Leave a comment below.

Liz

We launched this site at the beginning of the summer because we wanted to be prepared for this time of the year. We have created 3 months of content so teachers and parents will have a database of tutorials to assist their children with their homework. Right now the focus is K-5, but the real reason why is because the learning gap starts around 2nd grade and continues to widen every year. Part of the reason is the introduction of multiplication when students have not yet mastered addition and subtraction. I just had a conversation about how 2nd grade spends so much time on addition, subtraction and place value and then third grade goes right into multiplication and division with little mention of place value, then 4th grade comes back starting off with place value to the millions. How can we help this issue? Continue practicing with addition and subtraction in the third grade. Don’t just stop because the standards say multiplication and division. This is a skill that needs to continue to be cultivated. Especially place value because they get introduced to digits to the right of the decimal. How can we help to close the math gap if we continue to move students forward without addressing the issue? In the classroom, this is where small group instruction comes in hand. This starts with…

1. Finding out what your students know and don’t know. – What happens if you try to make a multi layer cake when the previous layer isn’t cooked thoroughly? The cake will collapse. Sometimes you find out the layer before (grade level) didn’t finish cooking and you have to stick it back in the oven. That’s where you have to continue cooking (small groups, tutoring, review) needs to occur. 
2. Meet them where they are.  –Yes we need to continue to teach grade level material, but they also need to strengthen the skills that they are weak in. How can you teach decimals when they don’t understand whole numbers yet?
3. Create a plan and adjust as needed. – How are you going to address their needs? What are their strengths and how do they flourish? Do they learn better with hands-on activities or with technology? Do they need one-on one attention or small groups? Pay attention to details, create a plan and execute. 

The gaps are real and they won’t close on their own, but we need to reinforce skills that our students have in order to help them become better math students. We are our students’ best advocates. 

-Liz

Growing in the 90’s-2000’s schools have always been community based. I remember my mother had a direct line to the teacher so that she could call and check in anytime. This is way before we had social media, smart phones and teachers rarely used emails. The system of communication came from robocalls, print outs and word of mouth. Teachers always had access to my mom so they took advantage of this to make sure I would stay on track. Since then, communication has evolved in so many ways and an endless amount of resources. Direct access to teachers helps keep track of your kids’ growth. 

Building relationships with your scholars’ teachers will help your child maintain a healthy school/home balance. Healthy relationships allow the teachers to call on the parents and work with them personally in order to maintain math literacy. A parent shouldn’t just wait until a parent teacher conference in order to figure out what your child is having difficulties in. having that parent/teacher relationship will allow you to catch up faster. Even as a teacher, you should reach out to parents early on so that they aren’t bombarded with bad news of grades at a parent teacher conference. 

Since COVID parents weren’t allowed to step foot in some schools last year. Parents only have one chance to meet the teacher in person. This is why creating a parent teacher partnership is so essential. We still have lots of ways to communicate to our parents via zoom, google teams, handouts, robocalls, emails, dojo, and even group messages.  Parents have so many resources for communication. Even though the dynamic has changed the resources have more than doubled and are at your discretion to use. Maintaining this balance will not only help with the grades and keeping track of current events it will also help with behavior. When a student knows their parents and teachers have a bond they are more relaxed and respectful towards the teacher. To put it all together ‘IT TAKES A VILLAGE’ meaning in order for a scholar to reach their full potential everyone has to play their part. Together the teachers and the parents laythe foundation and set the tone for success for our children. 

Over the last couple years we have changed the way we look at education. Teachers and students both had to change their ways they viewed education. What are some ways that you suggest improving parent/teacher relationships?

-Berry

Over the last 3 years our scholars have experienced a different type of learning because of the pandemic. Everyone in the world was forced to abruptly work and learn from home in order to stay safe. This was new to everyone so this style of learning at first hindered our kids more than it helped. Teachers and students were affected by virtual learning and there began to be a big learning curve. The learning curve occurred because we were not equipped to fully teach homeschool so plans were not in place at first. When we finally got it on track our kids were already behind from the past grades. This is why tracking student learning and progress is helpful.

We are trying to make tracking student growth with the common core very easy. Sometimes, the standards are hard to understand, so we translated them into I CAN statements. Every Grade Level has a list of standards that details what your child should know for that school year. These standards are important because it shows exactly what your child is going to learn that school year. Going into the next grade level you should also look to print the standards from the grade level they just left. For Example: if your scholar is going to the 3rd grade you should check the previous standards from 2nd grade. Knowing what they need growth in will allow you to help them from falling behind.

We as adults always say “IT TAKES A VILLAGE” because it does. Having parents that are also accountable is a BIG FLEX. Learning doesn’t just stop at school it happens at home too. It’s so important to check the progress of your child because it allows you to identify their areas of growth from past and present work. 

Many parents don’t know these resources exist so we made a checklist available for free! Our checklist starts from Kindergarten to 5th grade. We created these checklists so that we can help you check the progress of your scholars. We know how important it is to know where your child is academically, so we are adding more resources so that we can bridge that gap.

 Commoncoresheets.com is one of the best resources you can use to get extra work for your scholar. This website allows you to look up the common core number and align them with worksheets. Please feel free to contact us for any questions you have and email us if you have a tutorial in mind that is not already on our website or social media pages. 

-Berry

Kindergarten

First Grade

Second Grade

Third Grade

Fourth Grade

Fifth Grade

The key to understanding and mastering math is practice. Getting as much practice and experience as you can helps you to process that math at better rates and master your ability to solve problems. Math isn’t easy for most of us but technology has made it easier to practice.

Now that we have access to different technology such as computers, tablets and smartphones it’s easy to get math apps over different networks. Depending on which type of technology you have you will have access to math apps from the Apple store or Google play store. These math apps can help reduce the fear and math phobia. 

Keeping children engaged always helps with building confidence when dealing with math. Most apps aren’t just informational, they are actually fun. When learning becomes fun children typically abuse the game and play for extreme amounts of hours which helps with the learning and understanding ( Getting that Practice IN). Downloading the apps is only the first step.

On these new apps you can actually focus on what your kids are struggling on, teachers who have access to these apps also can tailor specific standards to students so that they can practice on what they’re struggling on in class. Being able to have math tailored to what you need the most practice on helps curve the learning so that our scholars are getting the exact help needed. Math apps aren’t only for children. When I was in college I remember my first math class using a computer app tailored to show us what areas of math we needed to focus on the most. I struggled my first semester in math because I didn’t utilize the app that was given to me to practice. After I failed the math class the first semester the second semester I started to utilize all of my resources and my best resource was my math book and the math app because it showed me exactly what i needed to work on. That semester I had a 4.0 in my college math course ( practice makes perfect). 

I know there’s so many apps to choose from now so I have conducted a list of my top 5 apps that could help you guys with the practice that your child needs in order to master their math. (This is not a paid sponsorship)

1. IXL Math – ixl.com 

IXL is personalized learning. With a comprehensive K-12 curriculum, individualized guidance, and real-time analytics, IXL meets the unique needs of each learner.

2. Reflex Math – Reflexmath.com 

Adaptive and individualized, Reflex is the most effective system for mastering basic facts in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division for grades 2+.

3. Star Dash Math – Google/Apple Store

Star Dash Studios is a free runner game that challenges you to train as a runner on a film set and learn about numeracy and numbers by completing puzzles on the way.

4. Math Games – Mathgames.com

 Practice makes permanent and games make it fun! Over 1200 free interactive math skills and games. Works on phones, tablets, and laptops.

5. Cool Math – Coolmath4kids.com

 Our brain-training site, for everyone, where logic & thinking meets fun & games. These games have no violence, no empty action, just a lot of challenges that will make you forget you’re getting a mental workout!  

Please get your kids hooked on these apps because these instructional fun apps can save your kids from math phobia and also keep them engaged. Please write to us or contact us if you have any questions or have your own suggestions. 

I Ain’t Gonna Lie, these apps are XTRA FLY!!!!!!!!

-Berry

Effective Math instruction is way more than just standing in front of a group of students (or your child) and delivering content. In fact, the way students learn is by allowing them to practice the skills they were taught. Students might not get the information right away the first time. Think about it…if doctors learned how to operate just from reading a book or from their professor, would you let them operate on you right away? Of course not! So should we assume a student has mastered a math skill because you taught it once or twice? They need to practice the skills and there may not always be time during your regular math block. That is where centers or small group instruction come in place. 

Centers allow students to have more practice on a skill that has been identified as one that they need more assistance with. It also grants more individualized attention and allows them to see the same material in a new way. Some teachers may be afraid to implement centers because they may not have efficient classroom management. This means that they may not have procedures in place for students to adequately independently learn. However, I’ve seen the most growth in a class that productively runs centers with quality work 2-4 times a week. In centers, students  can review material from the past and for higher students, it can introduce more rigorous skills. For example, due to the pandemic, third graders spent the first part of the year with 2nd grade standards in the rotation, especially the standards that relate to what they are learning that year.  Centers do not have to be long at all. 30 minutes a day can allow small groups to rotate twice for 15 minutes a group. 

Keep in mind your grade level attention span. 

• 4 years old: eight to 12 minutes
• 6 years old: 12 to 18 minutes
• 8 years old: 16 to 24 minutes
• 10 years old: 20 to 30 minutes

If you are not comfortable with doing centers, here are some tips to help get started.

1. Figure about how many centers you feel comfortable with. 

Some schools have para support which will allow for more centers and smaller groups, but that is not the case in most schools. You will have one teacher led group and the others will be independent. The smaller the group, the better. But it’s good to try to keep the number of students between 4-7 if possible. 

2. Decide what activities and tasks would work for your centers. 

You don’t want activities that students can’t do on their own. This can cause students to be disruptive. The same reason is why you don’t want activities that are too simple as well. You want the activities to provide enough engagement and challenge to keep them interested without you watching them all the time  

3. Prepare the materials ahead of time. 

We know that things don’t always go as planned. But it’s better to have a plan then nothing at all. You do not want to be cutting out fraction strips 5 minutes before centers begin. Materials can be organized labeled and you can teach students to put them back where they belong as a routine. Kids love organization and routine. 

4. Create groups for your students. 

Teachers group students in different ways. Sometimes they keep the same groups for a few months based on an assessment. Sometimes they change based on how they are doing on a particular skill. You have to decide what’s best for your classroom at the time.

5. Do what’s best for your students.

You might see a teacher doing centers one way and you try it and it doesn’t work. It’s ok, they won’t always be perfect. You need to PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE and adjust to make it fit for your students. I may like the way my counterpart introduced 2 digit multiplication, but my students may not be ready for that, so I’ll do what’s best for them. Be patient, know that it won’t always work the first time, and learn as you go. And most of all HAVE FUN!!

(We do earn a small commission if you buy from these links.)

Here are some ideas for Math centers from Amazon. 

-Liz