Improving Access to Mathematics Strategies for Elementary Presented

Improving Access to Mathematics: Strategies for Elementary Presented by Heather Sparks, NBCT 2009 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year

What makes math difficult? Lack of prior knowledge Missing foundational skills Limited experiences with “doing” math “One right answer” approach “Permission” to be “bad” at math Others?

STRATEGIES: 1. Constant exposure to meaningful math Every day, provide meaningful math investigations through manipulatives, games, puzzles, and stories. Content example: NIM PIG Color Tile Riddles Two of Everything

STRATEGIES: 2. Allow students to verbalize their thinking Every day, expect students to explain their thinking. Content example: Counting backwards Follow Me Loose caboose

STRATEGIES: 3. Provide for meaningful use of manipulatives Manipulatives should be available and integrated into every math lesson. Content example: Showing half True Blue Snap cube measurement

True Blue Trina wants to win a goldfish at the carnival. In order for her to win, she needs to pick 2 blue tiles out of the “True Blue prize bag, ” without looking. If the prize bag contains 3 blue tiles and 3 red tiles, what is the probability of winning the game? Predict the number of wins you will get in 40 trials. Then, conduct the trials and record the outcomes.

STRATEGIES: 4. Help students develop “bridge” tools Students should be taught specific strategies to improve memory and understanding. Content example: Coin Chants Finger Multiplication

Coin Chants

STRATEGIES: 5. Create “reference” resources Students should maintain a math journal to record and store math resources. Content example: Gallon map Big Inch

The BIG Inch 0 1 1 3 16 8 16 2 16 1 5 3 7 1 9 5 11 3 13 4 16 8 16 2 16 8 16 4 16 10 2 6 6 2 16 8 4 4 4 12 8 16 16 8 16 7 15 1 8 16 2 14 2 16 4 4 8 8 16 16 Identity Property

Comments & Questions? This presentation and other resources are available at www. hisparks. com