Number Talks Book Study - Chapters 1 & 2

As some of you may know, the district I am in specializes (or "departmentalizes") by subject, even in K-5, so I am in charge of teaching all of the 1st grade math for my building.  I am also in a grad program for elementary mathematics and lead the Vertical Math PLC for our building, so I enjoy finding blogs & posts that specifically relate to elementary math.  I recently stumbled upon The Elementary Math Maniac blog and discovered that she was going to be hosting a book study on the Number Talks book by Sherry Parrish.  I had been given this book a couple years ago but had not read it yet (don't judge...you know you've done that too!), so I thought this book study would be a perfect opportunity to dig in.

Essentially, a classroom number talk is a discussion around a particular problem.  The teacher displays the problem, and the kids are first given a chance to solve it independently.  Then, the teacher takes and records all answers (both correct and incorrect) so the class can discuss the strategies used.  So, what's the teacher's role in a number talk?

When discussing a problem, ideally the teacher's role is that of facilitator, but it's going to take some time to get there.  Kids (especially younger kiddos) are going to need lots of modeling and practice with how to respond to one another and ask questions.  I love this pin of math talk discussion starters.

This pin was image only...if you know the original source, please let me know!

The book mentions the importance of teachers keeping a "blank face" when accepting or discussing wrong answers.  We all remember that "teacher face" in school when we gave a wrong answer.  We knew it was wrong even before the teacher explained our mistake because of their face, and it didn't make us feel good or want to keep participating.  Allowing and accepting all answers for discussion lets students with incorrect answers to defend and explain their thinking, which helps the teacher to see misconceptions and the student to feel that making mistakes is ok.

Being purposeful in selecting the problem is also an important role for the teacher.  If the goal is to discuss various ways to solve 3 addend problems, the numbers selected for the problem should assist that goal.  For example, the problem 3 + 7 + 3 would allow students to use doubles (and then near doubles when solving 6+7), finding a ten, or counting up.  If the teacher wanted to focus on borrowing from one addend and giving to another, a problem like 8 + 5 + 3 might be helpful, because the student could take 2 away from the 5 and give it to the 8 to make a ten, leaving them with 10 + 3 + 3.

Sherry Parrish also recommends that teacher's have a specific spot in their classroom where they hold their number talks.  Mine is on our carpet, as it's the place for students to be close to one another.  She also recommends that teacher's have something to record student thinking, whether that be up on the Smartboard or on chart paper.  Posting student strategies as anchor charts around the room can help keep students accountable during that time.

So how do I incorporate number talks?

I have to admit, I did a better job with this at the beginning of the year than I have lately.  Mostly because I started the year off doing a LOT of subitizing and activities from my number sense pack.  We had some great discussions, even as beginning first graders, about the different ways that we saw numbers.  I have continued number talks occasionally in guided math, but have not done them whole group in awhile.  What I would like to start doing is creating a bank of problems to use for my number talks.  I think that having the problems ready to go will help me be more consistent with implementing number talks throughout the year.

So, have YOU implemented number talks in your classroom?  I'd love to hear how it's going and if you have any tips for implementing them consistently.  Feel free to share resources that you've found helpful as well. :)

Happy teaching!

Five for Fraturday & a GIVEAWAY

I'm linking up (for the first time ever!) with Doodle Bug's Five for Friday linky...part of my hopes to become a better blogger in 2015.  Make sure you stick around until #5...there's a giveaway at the end of this post!

I live in Wisconsin, though I am not originally from here.  Let me tell you, it's freezing here!!  (Notice how the -13 degree windchill is "much warmer" than yesterday.)  I thought it was cold in Michigan where I grew up, but I was wrong.  Wisconsin is cold...C.O.L.D.  We had -25 degree windchills here this week, and our school did not close!

I ordered one of these this week!  I can't wait to try it out.  If you have one, how do you like it?

My kids needed some review practice with skip counting this week, so I put them on "The Counting Game" app (by Chris Egerter).  My kids really love this app because it's fun to find the next number in the sequence, and I really like it because it has lots of different types of counting...from counting by 1s all the way through counting by 10s.

We also did a non-standard measuring experiment this week.  More on that later (including a freebie so you can try it with your class!), but let's just say...it was a huge hit!

If you've been to my blog before, you probably notice that it looks a little different now.  I got a FABULOUS blog re-design from Megan at A Bird in Hand Designs.  She was exceptionally patient when I asked for things to be tweaked, and the results are absolutely beautiful!  I am so, so thrilled with how it turned out!  If you are looking to freshen up your blog design, you need to check out Megan's work!

To celebrate a new design, I'm giving away a $25 gift card to TPT!  You can enter through the Rafflecopter link below.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Currently January 2015

It's currently January 1, which means it's time for another Currently linky from Farley!

Listening:  I like to listen to the television while I work, so right now I'm listening to reruns of Last Man Standing.

Loving:  Christmas break!  With the way the dates worked out, we ended up getting 2 whole weeks for break this year, and it has been heavenly!  I love lazy days at home.

Thinking:  I should probably start to work on getting stuff ready for after break. :( 

Wanting:  There is not a whole lot that I want right now...I have been extremely blessed! :)

Needing:  There way not be a whole lot that I want, but there are some things that I need....the fridge is getting pretty bare!

Yes: Yes to more classroom pictures!  I'd like to remember to capture more of what we do in class, not only so I can remember all of the neat things that we did over the year, but also so I can do a better job of sharing them with you! 

Maybe:  Maybe (ok...probably, most likely) I will be traveling this summer.  Not sure where yet, but I have the itch to go somewhere!  Any suggestions? :)

I Wish:  I wish I could be a morning person...but I am not.  The End. :)

Want to catch up with other bloggers?  Visit Farley's blog to see who else is participating!

End of the Year Deals + FLASH FREEBIE!

Hello friends!

A group of teacher friends and I are holding some fabulous New Year's Eve deals! 

My "Ready, Set, Math" bundle is 40% off today, making a year's worth of math centers only $30!

We are also hosting giveaways of new products on our Facebook pages.  Click here to visit my page and enter to win my Winter Math Centers!  (Do NOT enter here...the picture above was for my FB page, and I'm just re-using it here.) :)

PLUS, we are doing some flash freebies!  I am in the process of creating Addition & Subtraction Fluency Sorts for Numbers 11-20, and I've listed the January set as a freebie for today only! 

Hope you & your family have a Happy New Year & a wonderful 2015! :)

120 Chart Puzzles

Hello friends!

I hope the start of your year is going smoothly!  It's going to take my class a few weeks to get it yet, but I know we'll get there...I may just have a few less strands of hair! ;)

We did a great activity this week with 120 Chart Puzzles.  In the past, I've made all of the puzzles and had the kids put them together.  It took forever to cut the pieces, some of the pieces would get lost, or kids would mix them up.  This year, the lightbulb finally went off and I had the kids make the puzzles.  Not only was it more meaningful for them, but I didn't have to take a couple hours of precious time to make them myself!  I just printed 120 charts (from this freebie by Erica Bohrer) and let the kids do the rest!  Here is how we did it:

I put directions up on the Smartboard (along with visual clues) to help them remember the steps!

1. I had the kids color their chart all one color.  I also told them to pick a different color than the other kids at their table.


2. I modeled how to draw lines to make the puzzle pieces.  We talked about how to draw medium sized pieces, not too big and not teeny tiny.

3. They cut the pieces apart.  It was great cutting practice for some of them! :)

4. I am just so happy that I thought of this next part...I had the kids write their name on the back of every piece.  No more searching through bags and bags of puzzles to see if a piece is missing!

 

The kids LOVED putting together their puzzles!  I also wrote each kid's name on a baggie so we could save the puzzles for another day.  They are very motivating and a great way to help kids look for patterns on the number chart!

If you try this activity with your kiddos, I'd love to know how it goes! :)

September Currently

Oh man, September already....and time for the September "Currently"!

Listening:  I'm re-watching a mystery series on Netflix called "The Glades".  It makes for nice background noise as I'm working on the computer. :)

Loving:  I have really been into Vanilla Lattes lately.  I used to be all about Mochas, but I've moved on.  I should probably start ordering Pumpkin Spice Lattes while I can though!

Thinking:  I need to go to bed!  It was the first day of school today and it's 9pm...'nuff said.

Wanting AND Needing:  I'd love an extra set of hands for the rest of the week.  Just sayin'...

3 Trips:  I love this one!  Traveling is so much fun- I love seeing how people in other areas of the world live.  I would love to visit Africa, Australia, and Spain one day.

Want to know what other bloggers are up to?  Visit Farley's "September Currently" Linky to find out! :)

Meet the Teacher: A Peek Into My Specialized Schedule

Sooo...I've been a bad blogger.  BUT, I've had a fabulous summer!  (#sorrynotsorry)  I went on vacation for 3 weeks to Northern California, and it was beautiful!!  I got to see the HUGE redwood trees and take pictures like this!

The redwood trees were awe inspring!  The largeness of them completely blew me away!

I also had the opportunity to go back to London (where I studied for a semester in college) and see things like this:

I went on a day trip that allowed to me go INSIDE Stonehenge...incredible!!

Big Ben & Parliament

The "London Eye" (aka big ferris wheel) that gives you awesome views of the city!

Does anyone recognize where I am?  YES, it's where they film Downton Abbey!!

After all that fun, I'm back now and linking up with Blog Hoppin' to show you my schedule.  It's different than most because our school is departmentalized (or "specialized" as we call it).  I specialize in math, which means that I teach it three times a day.  I really love it the first 2 times, as I feel like I have a perfect opportunity to make tweaks to the lesson and improve my craft without waiting a whole year, but I have to admit, it gets a little old the third time 'round.  That's when I tend to change things up or do silly things like talk in accents.  I have to keep both their interest AND mine by 3 in the afternoon!  With that said, here's what a typical day for me looks like...

Our mornings stay the same.  I teach math to my own kiddos, we have snack and take a break (hoping to get morning recess back this year!) and teach math to my co-workers class while my kids have Science, Social Studies, and Writer's Workshop.  If you want a more in-depth look at my Math Workshop, check out this post.

In the afternoons, our schedule varies depending on when we have our "special" (gym, music, art), but
that's when I teach my 3rd math class (while my kids go to reading), and we have our Language Workshop.  It used to be called phonics, but there was a big literacy training in my district this summer (while I was in California, so I'm feeling a little out of the loop on it) and since we are focusing more on vocabulary this year, we are calling it Language Workshop.  So, as soon as I get in the loop, I hope to share more about what that looks like. :)

If you are already back to school, I hope you are having a FANTASTIC start to your year.  If you are like me and soaking up the last rays of summer...ENJOY them!!