Math Mondays with Tanner

March 18, 2024

Build Math Minds

"Pencil or Pen?" - Episode 134

I sincerely believe that schools single-handedly fuel the pencil industry. As a teacher, I always made my students use pencils. In fact, it wasn't until I taught fifth grade in Charlotte that I actually encouraged the use of pens in my classroom. Think about the message each writing tool carries.

PENCILS allow us to erase our erros. In her podcast, Christina mentions that "errors are a part of the learning process. If a student tried three different ways to solve a problem but erased them all, the only thing we see when [their paper] gets turned in is the final solution and answer." With a pencil, we don't get to see the learning journey students were on as they solved problems. We really don't get a full picture of their understanding and strategy work.

PENS, on the other hand, seem permanent. Pens can't be erased and send the message that even when there is something that needs to be erased, it can't be taken back. Christina tells us that "even if students cross out [their work], teachers can still see the thinking they were doing along the way." Pens allow us to get a total picture of what kids were doing along the way.

I'm not advocating for pens in the classroom. It's just a metaphor. What I am advocating for is for you to consider the climate you have established in your math classroom as it relates to mistakes.

Are your students afraid to mess up?

Do your students know it's okay to make mistakes?
Do they know it's alright to leave their wrong work on the paper?
Do you send the message that mistakes are part of the learning process?
Do you validate and emphasize the power of student thinking?

DreamBox Classes of the Week

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!

It's a Walkthrough Week

If you scroll down and look at my calendar, you'll see that I have lots of walkthroughs scheduled this week. I hope you know by now that my walkthroughs are 98% positive and really serve as a learning opportunity for me. I learn so much from y'all when I see you in action. My goal is to come in and affirm the work you're doing! I also hope you know by now that my schedule shifts all the time and things may change. Please don't put on a show just because you're on my calendar!

Spring FastBridge Window is Open

It seems like we just did this, but the spring FastBridge window is now open! It will close on Friday, April 12. If you need any help testing your students or if you have any questions, let me know!

Q3 Benchmarks are Wednesday

All third, fourth, and fifth grade students will complete their Q3 math benchmark on Wednesday, March 20. Make-up testing will be on Thursday, March 21. These dates are non-negotiable. As a reminder, benchmarks only assess essential standards. If you have any questions, let me know!

IMPORTANT REMINDERS: Please remember that math benchmarks should be treated like state testing. Students should be encouraged (if not required) to show their work, take their time, and work independently. Having realistic data is going to be so important as we get closer to SC Ready and need to know how students are performing on questions related to essential standards. We will go over this data and make action plans next week during our math planning meetings.

SC Ready Essential Skills Check-Up

At the end of Tuesday's faculty meeting, all third, fourth, and fifth grade math teachers met to discuss what it would look like to give our students quick check-up quizzes for essential standards. The goal is for this is to be beneficial for you as a teacher and for us to enter SC Ready with a realistic understanding of how our students will likely perform. It also allows us to meaningfully work with our students and fill gaps over the next ten weeks. See the calendar and overview below.

Who: all third fourth, and fifth grade students

What: take brief check-up quizzes to cover Q1 and Q2 essential standards

Where: quizzes will be located on Mastery Connect

When: during morning work, bellwork, or DreamBox time on eight Tuesdays and Thursdays between Spring Break and SC Ready

Why: to allow math teachers to know what gaps exist from skills that were taught earlier in the year and to provide targeted reteaching lessons with the goal of pushing our "approaches" kids to "meets," our "meets" kids to "exceeds," and so forth

How: Tanner will create these quizzes and will help all math teachers break apart data to help create some realistic high-leverage groups

Tanner's Schedule for the Week

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!