There is a man who lives in my neighborhood who walks his dog around the same time as I do each morning. This guy virtually drags his poor dog down the block at break-neck speed. It makes me so sad for his poor little companion. It reminds me of a cartoon I once saw of […]
This page has about 20 links to educational math websites focused on young and very young children. When you browse through the sites, you will find a variety of resources for teachers (AAA Math) as well as fun and interactive online math games for children (Math Game Time). Kidsites.com also has a ton of information about […]
Last week I observed a couple of three-year olds working very intently at a table. They were playing so hard that they didn’t even notice me walking over to them. You know the kind of play I mean; head down, completely focused, and entirely engrossed. When I saw what they were playing with, I was […]
Math Perspectives is a website dedicated to providing tools, resources, and assessments to teachers of preschool to sixth grade. In an easy-to-navigate format, this site provides research-based articles about math education, online professional development training opportunities ($$), as well as videos of math practice in action. Take a look and let us know what you […]
Sometimes, I discover a resource that surprises me. First, this comes from the feds – and even though there are so many wonderful public servants who work in government – I don’t always love what they are selling. This page from the Department of Education website comes from the archives, but is still available. It is […]
This is the time of the year when I visit my student teachers at their practicum sites. I am so lucky to live in Chicago where there are so many wonderful programs and classrooms for young children. We have every kind of program imaginable; Montessori, half-day Head Start, full-day Head Start, Reggio-inspired classrooms, emergent curricula, […]
Do you ever ask your kids to “read” their patterns? It is pretty simply and using a few simple techniques, you can support the children as they organize and synthesize information by using several different learning modalities. Take a look at the pattern above. Clearly the child who created this understands patterns. Next, ask him to read his […]
I’ve never been a huge fan of “canned” lesson plans- I always found that curriculum that felt more “organic” and “emerging” from the children was better. Now that I am older and wiser, I know that lesson plans cannot only be useful but can create a structure to your curriculum WITHOUT compromising an “emergent curriculum”. […]
Sometimes our very best tools are actually attached to our bodies. I use my feet for all sorts of “opening and closing” needs, and my nose is the perfect choice when I need to turn the page of my ereader and my hands are inside of mittens. Children’s hands are also a great tool for […]
How many of you suffer from “math anxiety” or “math fear”? In my experience, people who do suffer from it may let it really get in the way of their success. I work in a community college that requires students to complete a series of math courses in order to receive their degree. I can’t […]