Slice of the Pi
December Edition
Oliver Herford
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
As 2020 comes to a close I want to thank you for all of the bright spots we have shared in dark times. We have learned so much and even managed some laughs along the way! As you head home at the end of the busy days and pass the twinkling holiday lights or catch a fiery pink sunset I wish you moments of quiet and peace. The author B.B White instructs us to always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder; I see it each day in you. Thank you for all you've done, are doing, and will do.
From now through January my "set" days at each school will be impacted due to the nature of Math Identity projects I'm offering with Dr. Birden, the differentiation coaching cycles, and some coverage help. I will still be available to you and at each building. If I can lighten your load in any way please reach out.
Tinsel & Technology
Below you will see a link to a Remote Learning "App"vent calendar from the author of Don't Ditch That Tech. You'll see a new idea each day!
Jam out with Jamboard! Here is a sample Would You Rather I made using an idea from the Math at Home -another of my very favorite resources- look on right hand side after clicking link for your grade level!
Symphony Math can differentiate learning for your students. Music to your ears, but you still have some questions? Here is a link to the Symphony Q & A from the PD Day. There will be another session in December too.
The media specialists sent this info out about You Tube without videos which could be useful in some of your Bitmoji classrooms or when you post math videos in Google Classroom-
Copy the link and add a hyphen after the t in youtube. See example-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=735gTBjz1JY
https://www.yout-ube.com/watch?v=735gTBjz1JY
MAP data can help guide instructional decisions in math. If you are interested in digging in to how the RIT can give more information on student readiness, strengths, areas for improvement, etc. I would love to help you locate/run those reports and talk about how the data confirms or challenges what you already know about students and the connection to your core instruction. I will also be going to a training with the interventionists later this week centered around using the RIT to connect students to individually tailored math resources available through NWEA partnerships. More info to follow after that!
Several tabs open at once? Close the wrong one? So frustrating! BUT if you hit ctrl+shift+t the last tab you closed with pop back open. Sometimes it's the simple things that make a difference!
The Technology Enhanced Activities from the Math Learning Center can be great! Here are the first ones from Unit 4 at each grade. The master slides can be modified for more differentiation too. I just had a wonderful co-planning session with a teacher and Vi, a curriculum developer at MLC, to differentiate an upcoming TEA for her students who were ready for a challenge in this unit!
They have loads of activities for Number Corner too! Here are a few samples from recent months.
Math Learning Center apps are AMAZING. They are virtual manipulatives that an be shared with families and students. Share codes allow you to preprogram questions and for students to share their thinking back with you. I've tried this out with several teachers at varying grade levels with positive feedback. If you want to give it a try together just reach out!
Don't forget about the wonderful tech helpers visiting each building too! Here is a sample sign up sheet shared by a Steph Robinson with some ideas at the top about how you can use them.
National Museum of Mathematics: MoMath
"Whether your child is already passionate about mathematics or just starting to explore its wonders, MoMath Online: Student Sessions will expose your child to cool areas of mathematics and stoke the flames for a lifelong appreciation of mathematics."
Connecticut State Department of Education Update
Dear Family,
Are parents asking how they can support their children at home? Creating joyful experiences around math is one of the best ways! Here are two links you can share with parents (via Remind, etc.) who are looking for possible math gifts around the holidays- one is from 2019 and one is from this year.
Here is another quick read you could send out from Mathematics Teacher: Learning & Teaching PK-12 that shares how parents can foster "math talk" with their children.
Miss a previous issue?
Questions? Comments? Curiosities?
Email: asmith@region15.org
Phone: 203-947-3446
Twitter: @anniesmith821