I have started reading Minds on Mathematics: Using Math Workshop to Develop Deep Understanding in Grades 4-8 and I'm done with chapter 1. Here are some of the high lights from the first chapter. The author Wendy Ward Hoffer gives us an overview of the theory behind minds-on math workshops and how they function.
The author shared a short story of a time she went fishing with her stepfather and she finally got a bite on the end of her line. Her stepfather pushed her fingers aside and reeled in the fish for her, but gave her the credit. She goes on to say that she held high expectations for her students. She let them struggle for a bit, but promptly stepped in to rescue with explanations and answers if she saw their comprehension flagging. She explains that many students continued to struggle on assessments. She sought new strategies, new means to support learners in taking ownership of their mathematical understanding. Wendy explains that she had to learn to explain less and listen more; to answer fewer questions and ask better ones; to avoid rescuing students from confusion and instead to be patient with their uncertainty.
Interesting... This is SOOO hard for me to do. Any other teachers out there that have this problem?!
Minds-on math workshops are an ideal forum for meeting the challenges laid before us by the Common Core Standards. These workshops will give our kiddos time to experience focus, congruence and rigor.
I have to stop for a second while I try to process all of this for the third time. Yikes. While processing, I realized that I need to TRUST my students. I have to remember that my students are capable of learning and that learning takes time.
There is more than one way...... Wendy explains in chapter 1 that though there is often only one correct answer to a mathematical question, there are a variety of ways to solve the problem, to think and understand its meaning. (Rather than devoting time to memorizing algorithms.)
Minds-on mathematics workshops changes the role of a teacher, to more of a facilitator who engages students with worthy, minds on tasks and important mathematical ideas.
My favorite quote from chapter 1: When we memorize rules for moving symbols around on paper, we may be learning something, but we are not learning mathematics.
I wanted to share a new recipe! It's been a long time:/
Shepard's Pie:
1/2 bag of frozen mixed veggies
4 medium russet potatoes
1 pound ground turkey or beef
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 10 3/4 oz. can of tomato soup
3 tbsp oregano spice
1/2 cup milk
1 heaping spoonful of sour cream1/4 cup stick of butter
Skin and dice potatoes. Boil water on the stove, add potatoes. Cook
until potatoes are soft and can be mashed. Drain potatoes. Mash potatoes and add milk, sour cream and 2 tablepsoons of the stick of butter. Taste the potatoes and add salt and pepper if needed. Brown ground turkey on the stove. Drain. Add mixed veggies in with ground turkey. Add tomato soup. Let simmer for 5 minutes. In a casserole dish, pour the veggie mix in the bottom, add a layer of the 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese and then put the mashed
potatoes on top. Put a tablespoon of butter on each side of the potatoes. Cook in the oven on 425
for 8-10 minutes or until the veggie mix bubbles up around the mashed potatoes. Enjoy! I served it with garlic bread~ YUMMY.
Week 2 Grocery List
- 4 skinless, boneless chicken
breasts
- 1 (4 oz) can of diced green
peppers, drained
- 1 1/2 cups shredded pepper jack
cheese
- fajita seasoning
- hot dogs
- brats * I prefer Tiefenthaler
brand jalapeno & cheese
- margarine
- white onion
- flour
- 6 cloves garlic
- old bay spice
- 2 bay leaves
- red pepper spice
- cajun seasoning spice
- 3 cans cream corn
- heavy whipping cream
- 16 ounces fresh lump crab meat
- anything you need for homeade
pizza!
- canola oil
- 1 1/2 pounds sirloin steak
- 10 ounces mushrooms
- 2 cups beef broth
- egg noodles
- 1 lb tilapia fillets (about 4)
- 3 limes
-1 can
(16.3 oz) Pillsbury® Grands!® Homestyle refrigerated buttermilk
biscuits (8 biscuits)
-1 1/2
tablespoons chipotle chiles in adobo sauce (from 7-oz can), finely
chopped
-
shredded cabage
- your
favorite salsa
Week 3 coming soon..
Check out my teacher page for some new ideas & activities:)
Have a great night bloggers:)
~Stephanie
