Math Mini-Conference

One of our PD was a half-day math conference. We had two half day conferences for reading earlier in the year.

This math conference dealt with the eight math practices and CGI math. We discuss ways to involve the students with the eight math practices. The first part of the morning was spent looking at the practices and their meaning. We had to find keywords and give examples for ways we use them in our classrooms.

During the CGI math part we were shown CGI buckets. We broke into partners and completed a math task using the materials in the baskets. CGI was exampled to us as letting the students figure out math problems on their own. The principal gave us the task of creating CGI buckets for our classroom. I am very excited to try this out with my students. My bucket will consist of unfix cubes, counters, bears, whiteboards, and hundred boards.

Math Center Survey

I surveyed my class of kindergartens on their thoughts about math centers. When I gave directions Imade sure the students knew I wanted their honest answers. The students drew a happy face for yes,sideways face for a little, and sad face for no. As I read the question I explained to them what I meant bythe question. I wanted this survey to give me as much information as possible.

Questions:

1) Do you enjoy math?

11: yes

4: a little

5: no

2) Do you like math centers?

14: yes

3: a little

3: no

3) Are you learning during math centers?

16: yes

4: a little

0: no

4) Do you work well with people in your group for math centers?

14: yes

5: a little

1: no

5) Do you feel upset during math centers?

5: yes

7: a little

8: no

Analysis:

The question about their learning during math centers was my most important question. During my research, I have noticed that students are more engaged and learning during hands on learning centers.My students know they are learning the skills I am teaching during their math centers. With 16 studentssaying they are learning I was surprised at the answer for question five. This makes me wonder if theyare upset with their groupmates instead of the actual work. Even though I have five students that do notenjoy math there are only three that do not like the centers. This correlates with my research as well.Researches have observed students being less attentive and off task during classes with no centers.

I enjoyed being able to survey my students. It has let me see how students feel about the activities goingon in the classroom

Proficiency & Fluency Part 2

Exploration 1:

First, I made a tower for each person with a different color. The next step was to distribute the cubes for each person to have the same number. This is a good was to practice division without the students even realizing it. The mean is 6.

Exploration 2:

The missing factor was 6 which balanced out the equation.

Exploration 3: will be added tomorrow. I do not have different size pencils at home

Exploration 4:

This is different from #1 because I had to dump the cubes together to show addition. Then I had to distribute them evenly for each person. I liked doing this exploration more than 4. I believe I could actually do this task with my kindergarteners later in the year.

Multiplication Fluency Game

I have played the game around the world with kindergarteners using addition and subtraction flash cards. It would be very easy and fun for students to play this game with multiplication flash cards.

Students should sit in a circle around with the teacher at one in using the flashcards. Two students would go against each other to see who can say the answer first. Whoever gets the answer correct first moves to the next person. If they go all the way around the circle they went around the world. I like this game because it can be used with the whole class or with a small group. Having the teacher be a part of this game is very helpful. This way you can make sure they are answering correctly.