Math Matters

First graders at Brent Elementary in Little Elm ISD really got into finding lots of ways you can compose 10. And this guiding question is such a great example of how to use reasoning and proof in an appropriate grade level way. Thanks to Mrs. Petrasic's class!

The use of TTM this year has greatly increased and kids are all going to reap the benefits.

A new study conducted by the TEA provides solid evidence that Think Through Math is effective in helping students pass the STAAR.

Some of the findings include:

• “Passing Think Through Math lessons was positively related to student performance on STAAR- Mathematics tests, meaning that passing Think Through Math lessons was an important indicator of readiness for STAAR- Mathematics content.”
• “Consistent usage of Think Through Math at the recommended threshold—five or more lessons completed per month—was associated with statistically significant gains on STAAR-Mathematics, particularly among middle school students.”
• “Grade 5 students who failed the first administration of STAAR- Mathematics and attempted 15 or more Think Through Math lessons before the second administration of STAAR were significantly more likely to pass the STAAR retest” than students who did not use Think Through Math
• “Grade 8 students who failed the first administration of STAAR- Mathematics and attempted between 1 and 9 Think Through Math lessons before the second administration of STAAR were significantly more likely to pass the STAAR retest than students who did not use Think Through Math.”

Lead4Ward took the released tests from the last two years and analyzed all the questions for how they fit under the new standards. They rearranged all the items and regrouped them under the grade levels they would now align to. While using the actual released tests for 3rd-8th math doesn't help us, the Lead4Ward IQ documents allow teachers to see all the items that now fit their grade level in one place. Each item shows you where it used to fit, where it fits now, and helps us have a general idea of the content scope.

CAREFUL - there are still no items for the newest TEKS in each grade level that were never tested before, and the verb levels and ways they can be assessed may be different. BUT the IQ documents can help give a good start to some items you can use with students to review skills.

Check it out the Lead4Ward resources and see the Released Test (IQ) documents.

When you think of fractions, do pizzas, brownie pans, and candy bars come to mind? If so, you were probably taught with an emphasis on fractions as parts of a whole. Although this remains a part of fraction education for today’s students, the TEKS, like the Common Core Standards, also include new ways of thinking about fractions: as points on a number line.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

The linked video above explains how the focus on fractions should also include consideration of a fraction as a distinct number on the number line and how these connections can be made to support student learning.

Note: While the video references the Common Core State Standards, our Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills standards also include similar language about fractions and developing mathematical understanding.

The Dwight Look College of Engineering and the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station proudly present Enrichment Experiences in Engineering (E3), a Teacher Summer Research Program at Texas A&M University on June 17 – July 1, 2015.

Teachers that participates in this two (2) week summer residential program:

• Gain meaningful laboratory experience working on the latest in engineering research;
• Visit with engineers and engineering companies to learn about career options for students;
• Learn real world applications of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics;
• Develop lesson plans with engineering applications to take back to the classroom;
• Join a cohort of STEM teachers from across the state with a passion for incorporating engineering into their classroom;
• Become ambassadors in their local school district and region for putting the ‘E’ in STEM; and
• Receive Continuing Professional Education Credits (CPEs), a total of $4,000 in stipends, plus a $600 budget to implement engineering into their classroom!

All high school math, science, and career and technology education teachers are encouraged to apply. Application deadline is Wednesday, April 1, 2015.

To learn more about and to apply for the E3 program, visit http://e3.tamu.edu.

The teacher prepares problems and/or questions on individual cards. Pairs are cards are created such that the solutions work out to the same solutions.

Each student receives one card and works the problem on his/her card.

Students then mix (mingle) around the room and find the person with the card whose answer is the same.

Once everyone had met their match, they should confer with another pair to verify their work.

The teacher can then collect the cards and redistribute them for additional rounds.

This activity works great as a class opener or a closure activity!

Teachers at the last K-2 cadre had an opportunity to see this FACT as part of our activities. In this formative probe, students are provided with a set of cards with statements to examine and decide if the statement is always true, sometimes true, or never true. This strategy if useful in revealing whether students overgeneralize or undergeneralize a mathematical concept.

Click here for an example I made on Multiples then make one of your own for content coming up in your grade level and share it with me by email.

Studies have shown that improved student performance results from the amount of feedback given to students. Students need to receive specific feedback on the results of their practice for learning to be effective. Practice with specific feedback results in more successful and more efficient learning. Note that feedback and a grade are not the same.

Check out this blog post on 5 Steps to Giving Students Effective Feedback

Email: integralmathematics@gmail.com
Website: www.mathcutups.com
Phone: 214-471-5760
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Twitter: @mathcutups