Math Mondays with Tanner

"Number String Queens" - Episode 159

I legitimately learn something new about teaching math at least once a week. This week, I have been exploring number strings - a tool "developed" by Cathy Fosnot to strengthen number sense and math reasoning. When I first think of the term number strings, I think about our large 120 bead strings that our first grade teachers use. Those are amazing tools that provide such a connection between rekenreks and number lines, but they're not the same as what I've been learning about!

In reality, I've learned that number strings are a lot like open number lines. This is a strategy that we have really embraced as Ebinport teachers for the past two years. Primarily in second through fifth grades, open number lines allow our students to solve problems in ways that make sense to them. Rather than requiring students to use a more rigid number line that is broken down into set increments, open number lines force students to think about what they know about numbers. I've done lots of digging this week, and I am even more ready to "sell" this tool to you because it works! For example, I'm partnering with Elizabeth right now and am using open number lines as a way for her third graders to conceptualize elapsed time. When thinking about the number of minutes that have passed between 4:48 and 5:20, someone may see three jumps of 10 and two jumps of 1. Someone else may see a jump of 12 and a jump of 20. The possibilities are endless. That's the power of this flexible math strategy.

CLICK HERE FOR AN OPEN NUMBER LINE PD VIDEO I CREATED FOR SECOND GRADE LAST YEAR

Below are some examples that are published on a number strings resource site Christina from the Build Math Minds community recommends. Regardless of what we call them, our Ebinport students are using them. If you want to try these out in your classroom and don't know where to start, reach out to me! I'd love to stop by for a model lesson or a number talk. The ultimate goal is to create mathematicians with strong number sense!

These classes had the highest number of average completed lessons for their grade level last week. This weekly reward comes with 10 extra minutes of recess. Thank you for prioritizing DreamBox and for helping our students close gaps and engage in enrichment opportunities!

Math instructional coaches are currently finishing up the last two slide decks for Quarter 4. K.ATO.5 and 2.G.1 will be posted by the end of the week. Thank you so much for your trust, patience, and flexibility this school year as a small team of coaches has created over 158 slide decks. That's at least one slide deck for every standard we teach at the elementary level! This was a huge feat that is already paying off. Solid examples of student thinking, standards being taught with the appropriate level of rigor, and reflective PLC conversations show that good stuff is happening!

I shared my grab and go coaching menu in last week's issue of Math Mondays. I'm sharing another graphic this week that gives you six powerful, low-stakes ways to partner with an instructional coach. As we inch towards the end of the school year, I hope you realize that 23 school days is plenty of time for you to grow as a teacher. It's also plenty of time for you to put me to work to support you. I promise you're worth investing in!

All students should be provided with two colored pencils during their SC Ready Math test. If you need colored pencils, please let me know this week so I can order them. I have already ordered colored pencils for Mrs. Knouff, Ms. Rubio, and Ms. Suttle's classes.

I will continue to create essential skills check-up quizzes for our third, fourth, and fifth grade teachers ahead of SC Ready on May 23. Many of our teams have been immediately analyzing this data and making action plans. We are quickly learning that some standards are worthy of whole group reteaching while others just have a few areas to polish off. As always, I am here if you need help finding resources or need help finding the time to realistically make this happen.

Tuesday, May 7

• 3.NSBT.3 - multiply a 1-digit number by a multiple of 10 with place value strategies
• 4.NSBT.5 - multiply up to 1x4 and 2x2 using place value strategies
• 5.NSBT.6 - divide up to 4/2 using place value strategies

Thursday, May 9

• 3.ATO.3 - solve multiplication and division word problems with a strategy and equation
• 4.ATO.2 A - solve multiplication word problems
• 5.MDA.4 / 5.MDA.3 - differentiate between perimeter, area, and volume situations AND find the volume of rectangular prisms (added to quizzes but not a RHSD essential)

CLICK HERE FOR SHARED DATA FOLDER (UPDATED AFTER EACH QUIZ)

Thank you, third, fourth, and fifth grade teachers, for opening up your classrooms and being willing to attend a quick meeting after school on Thursday. The sample brain dump sheets from Ashley Zegilla (my coach) are linked below. If you have any questions, need help finding time in your day, or want a partner for a repeat session, please let me know. I'm here to help y'all cross the finish line!

CLICK HERE FOR FOLDER WITH EXEMPLAR BRAIN DUMP SHEETS

I didn't forget about you, lower grades! It seems like so much of my energy this past month has been poured into our third, fourth, and fifth grade teachers. In the midst of preparing our older students and their teachers for testing, I want to sprinkle in some quality time with our littles! Please send me some dates and times that work for you so I can come see your crew in action!

As a coach, my schedule is flexible. Please realize that my schedule will change based on what is included below. This gives you a rough idea of when I will be out of the building, in coaching cycles with teachers, or in meetings. If you need anything, reach out and let me know how I can help!

• May 14 - Math PD
  
• May 23 - SC Ready Math Testing

• Math Mondays # 18 - Week of April 29
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• Math Mondays # 16 - Week of April 15
• Math Mondays # 15 - Week of April 8
• Math Mondays # 14 - Week of March 25
• Math Mondays # 13 - Week of March 18
• Math Mondays # 12 - Week of March 11
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• Math Mondays # 9 - Week of February 19
• Math Mondays # 8 - Week of February 12
• Math Mondays # 7 - Week of February 5
• Math Mondays # 6 - Week of January 29
• Math Mondays # 5 - Week of January 22
• Math Mondays # 4 - Week of January 15
• Math Mondays # 3 - Week of January 8
• Math Mondays # 2 - Week of December 18
• Math Mondays # 1 - Week of December 11