#SWOCTMlearns Blast

Our purpose is to support the mathematics education community from throughout the area. Through the content of this blast, we hope that you get more connected, find opportunities to collaborate and feel celebrated as an educator in Southwest Ohio.

SWOCTM is hosting a virtual game night on Thursday, January 27. Join us for a happy half hour from 7:30 - 8:00pm for socializing and then game time from 8:00 - 9:00pm. Use the link below to register for free and to receive the Zoom link for the event.

Click here to register!

We are excitedly gearing up for our SWOCTM Mini-Conference on Saturday, March 5. Be on the lookout for an email with more event details and the registration link soon.

• January 17 - registration opens for SWOCTM members
• January 26 - registration opens to all

by Abigail Lund

Ever walked into a room and you think I wonder if I have something on my shirt because everyone is staring at me? That’s how I feel when I walk into math meetings. I stick out like a sore thumb… why? Because I have chosen to reject the notion that there is a math person and have embraced that all contents should and do bleed into each other in the world beyond the classroom. This isn’t always a common thought.

I started on a journey to integrate writing into my classroom 10-years ago. It began with using writing strategies in math and has morphed into using writing as a mode for communicating with my kids and listening to them.

So what is writing in math? … Well 10-years ago I would have given you a strategy to use in class and of course it is that helpful and beneficial but my understanding of writing has grown over the past decade. It’s not just a writing lesson to do in class. It’s a writing mindset.

So here are my top 3 ways you can add writing to any class. Try one- I dare ya.

1. Reflection

I used to snarl at reflection writing. Students don’t really get it, they don’t have much to say, and who has time for it? But what I have found is that when you break down the joy and purpose of reflection and it becomes routine, students DO have things to say. We reflect every Friday. Sometimes it’s looking at evidence and rating understanding. Other times it is giving students prompts like: 1 thing you enjoyed working on this week in math and why OR 1 thing that was hard this week that you need extra help on. It could just be how do you feel about math or what hopes and dreams do you have for this class? Whatever you do, give reflection a try.

2. Rich Vocabulary

I have started and failed at so many vocabulary math journals over the years but the past two years have really solidified my knowledge once again about why seeing vocabulary words in an authentic context is so important for students' understanding. Students keep a journal of words, pictures, and definitions in their math notebooks. Throughout the unit we use these words to: write word problems, justify our answers using language that is reasonable, and create our own evidence. Students taking the time to write the words down and grapple with the language REALLY does make a difference.

3.Justify Your Answers

A huge part of mathematical writing is can students justify their thinking. My favorite saying in math is … can you use words to tell me how you know? Our students writing their thinking, recording their thinking in a flipgrid, even creating math podcasts about their thinking is all writing. Giving students the space to write and opportunity to share what they know gives you a deeper understanding than a test and gives your students a voice in math. This may be through asking questions and making inferences, creating videos, explaining errors found in problems, or even students creating work and what it shows. Whatever it is, give students the space to create and have them tell (or write) what they know.

So how do you write in math? Have ideas or want to share what you try? I would love to hear all about it!

Please reach out with questions, reflections, and connections on Twitter @Mrsablund. Check out my other articles writing outside of the ELA classroom.

Abigail Lund teaches 5th grade science and math to her fabulous kiddos in Cincinnati. She earned her BA at Judson University in Chicago-land and is working on her Masters in Teaching at Miami University through the Ohio Writing Project. She has a passion for integrating writing and reading into all contents. She loves coffee about as much as her husband and two-year-old son... and is a self-proclaimed lifetime learner. Catch up with daily happenings and ramblings on Twitter @mrsablund or via email Abigaillund@foresthills.edu.

Enjoy this tremendous collection of scaffolded exercises converting a variety of levels and concepts. Variation theory is a teaching technique that allows a teacher to introduce a minimum amount of information to students who are then asked to solve increasingly challenging problems by changing one part of each problem. This increases the amount of mathematical thinking in the classroom because tasks are scaffolded gradually without being overwhelming and students are more open to taking risks to solve problems. Some teachers may recognize this as “Leveling to the Bottom”, a teaching practice found in the book Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics.

How could you use this resource in your classroom? Share your thoughts with us by tagging #SWOCTMlearns on Twitter!

Twitter Handle: @MsKleinCHS

Years in Education: 10

What is your favorite part about being in education? I love helping a student understand something they perceive is "hard" can be easy.

What is your favorite professional book?The Math Teacher's Book Of Lists - Gary Robert Muschla and Judith A. Muschla

What is one of your go-to online sites for finding resources? deltamath.com

Twitter Handle: @DP_Moulton

Years in Education: 7

What is your favorite part about being in education? My favorite part about being in education is building relationships with my students. I have learned that an important first step to reach my students on an academic level is to get to know them on a personal level.

How do you stay connected professionally to other math educators? I like to use social media to stay connected to other math educators, whether it be Twitter, Facebook, Instragram, etc. I am a member of multiple Facebook groups for our math curriculum and I have found many helpful resources on those pages.

Is there a quote you like to use with your students? "What the teacher is, is more important than what he teaches" - Karl Meninger

• If you need to update your email address with SWOCTM, please send the information to swoctm@gmail.com in order to continue receiving information.
• Want to be added to the mailing list for SWOCTM? Please complete this form to provide your information.
• There are many upcoming learning opportunities. Want to know what is going on in this area and at the state level? Visit the Calendar of Events on SWOCTM's website.

SWOCTM is an affiliate of Ohio Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

For information about joining SWOCTM visit: http://bit.ly/SWOCTMmembership.

To join the SWOCTM email list, visit: http://bit.ly/SWOCTM1

Email: swoctm@gmail.com
Website: www.swoctm.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swoctm1
Twitter: @SWOCTM1