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The TotalPACKage

Author: Tammy Long

Reason

As teachers we want more  than high scores from students on summative assessments and their homework.  Our true goal is they learn the concepts in a way that will benefit their lives.  Our hope is they enjoy the process so they retain the knowledge as well as becoming life long learners.

NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics) has published 8 Mathematics Teaching Principles:

* Establish mathematics goals to focus learning.

* Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving. 

* Use and connect mathematical representations.

* Facilitate meaningful mathematical discourse.

* Pose purposeful questions.

* Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding.

* Support productive struggle in learning mathematics.

* Elicit and use evidence of student thinking.

For a more detailed explanation and some excellent teaching strategies, I suggest working through the text, "Principles to Actions: Ensuring Mathematical Success For All."

One of the ways a teacher can reach learners of all backgrounds and learning styles is incorporating a variety of instructional techniques.  Using literature in the mathematics classroom is one way to change things up, engage the students, and incorporate the 8 Mathematics Teaching Principles.

Source: Tammy Long

Ensuring Mathematical Success with NCTMs Principles to Actions and TI Technology

Published on Nov 21, 2014
NCTM’s Principles to Actions offers guidance to educators by defining and describing the principles and actions that are essential for a high-quality mathematics education for all students. In this webinar, learn how the TI-84 Plus family and TI-Nspire™ technology support the eight essential, research-based Mathematics Teaching Practices outlined in NCTM’s Principles to Actions. Whether you are a teacher, mathematics coach, or administrator, learn how TI technology can make the teaching practices from Principles to Actions come ali

Source: tiforeducators

Learner Centered, Teacher Guided

A great way to make more time in the classroom for activities and formative assessments is using Sophia for instructions and laying out the basic knowledge the students will be learning.  Using Sophia, the flipped classroom gives the student control over their learning.  The "lecture" material is provided to be viewed on or off campus when it is best for the student.  This leaves class time for using the knowledge with the teacher and their peers, giving them a support network for when questions arise in the application stage.  Too many times we ourselves have went home to do the homework and felt lost.  Flipping the classroom gives the student access to knowledge in a variety of ways so that they are able to self-differentiate and stay engaged in the learning process.

I could highlight all the positives attributes of Sophia, but I'd just be copying the information in the Flipped Classroom certification playlist.  It's short, but packed with useful information.  Even if you don't have time to create the final project to earn the certificate, taking a few minutes to browse through the videos, slideshows, and other material is well worth the time.

Source: Tammy Long

Setting Up a Flipped Classroom

Published on Aug 1, 2013
So you want to flip your class? In this how to video I explain the idea behind flipping, some things to think about as you begin and some concrete steps to getting your first lecture video up on the internets. Subscribe to HipHughes History, it's stupid easy and free

Source: Keith Hughes

Showing the Differences between a Traditional and a Flipped Classroom

Published on Oct 16, 2013
This video compares a traditional to a flipped class. Two classes were filmed 1 year apart and are shown simultaneously to illustrate the differences.
http://www.FlippingPhysics.com/ (Lecture Notes, Video Groupings)

Source: thomaspalmerphysics

Importance of literacy fluency

As math teachers, we know how important basic math skills are to everyday life.  We also know reading is just as fundamental.  Supporting the other teachers on our team is something we try to do whenever possible.  But it all comes down to giving our students what they need to be successful in life.  A working knowledge of mathematical skills also means a being strong in both reading and writing.  By incorporating literature and journaling in the mathematics class, we are making our instruction stronger, helping other subjects across the curriculum, and engaging students for more meaningful instruction.

While my focus is secondary education, I realize you have to know the steps toward literacy fluency to foster its mastery.  In the playlist, you will find the basics as well as some secondary applications for assessing reading and writing proficiency.  Lastly, I will provide you with a couple of lessons I've created from books.

Source: Tammy Long