Mathematical discourse are classroom discussions in which students communicate their mathematical thinking in a way that reveals the students' understanding of the concept. Students are given challenging questions or a problem to explore that have just the right level of challenge. Students are given time to reason about the task and time to share their thinking with small groups of classmates to compare strategies and thinking. The teacher then selects students to share their reasoning with the class and facilitate discussions. These purposeful discussions help students make connections to the lesson’s mathematical goal and build a deeper conceptual understanding of mathematics.

These discussions help advance the mathematical thinking of the whole class by talking and sharing aloud. Students are able to reflect on their understanding of mathematical concepts and make sense of and critique the reasoning of others which supports the Standards for Mathematical Practice.

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics identifies the importance of engaging students in meaningful mathematical discussions as an essential component of students’ mathematics learning. Through discussion, students take ownership of their knowledge and students' learning is made visible to both the students and the teacher.

In the book Visible Learning by John Hattie, he explains that Mathematical Discussions have a 0.82 effect size.

Ready Classroom supports Mathematical discourse through the Try, Discuss, Connect Routine.

Try, Discuss, Connect Routine

K-2 Math Teachers received Discourse Cubes and 2-5 Teachers received Discourse Cards that can be used to support mathematical discussions.

Kindergarten, 1st & 3rd grade:

Are you looking for a fun life science activity that focuses on an Ohio animal? You may like the at home learning activity from the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture.

The WEBSITE includes

• video - Does chocolate milk come from brown cows?
• milk experiment
• video - book read aloud "Tales of the Dairy Godmother: Chuck's Ice Cream Wish"
• how to draw a cow
• online ag in the classroom magazine link

Kindergarten: K.LS.1

Observe, explore, describe and comparing living things in Ohio

Living things have specific characteristics and traits

1st grade: 1.LS.1

Living things have basic needs, which are met by obtaining materials from the physical environment. Animals get energy from plants and other animals. Living things acquire

resources from the living and nonliving components of the environment.

3rd grade: 3.LS.1

Individual organisms inherit many traits from their parents indicating a reliable way to transfer information from one generation to the next. Organisms are similar to their parents in appearance and behavior but still show some variation.

3.LS.2

Plants and animals have certain physical or behavioral characteristics that influence their chances of surviving in particular environments.

ODE's Science team will be hosting monthly opportunities for you to connect with other elementary science teachers across Ohio.

The sessions will be held every Tuesday of the month.

This is a place for you to share ideas and materials, learn from others, and support one another’s efforts. They will provide a breakout space for teachers of each grade level or high school course to come together to talk about things specific to your classes.

There will not be a set agenda. The group decides what to talk about depending on the needs of those attending, but we will give you idea starters to use if desired.

The meetups are themed around a different scientific and engineering practice, a general chat and specific topics presented in SECO webinars. The scientific and engineering practice sessions give the opportunity to get a contact hour certificate if you attend live and are recorded for those who can’t make that time frame.

You can find more information and Zoom links for the October Tuesday meetups on the ODE Science Resource Page.

First Tuesday – The Nature of Science: Scientific Inquiry and Application

Each month will focus on components of the Nature of Science, particularly those that are concerned with scientific inquiry and application. Links to session recordings and resources may be found after the conclusion of the session on the ODE Science Resource Page.

Join Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82261121814

Second Tuesday – General Science Community Chat

Join your science colleagues from around the state to share your thoughts relating to questions, challenges, successes, and innovative ideas in our science classrooms,

Join Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88079078359

Third Thursday - Science Education Council of Ohio Monthly Webinar

Join the Science Education Council of Ohio (SECO) for their Monthly Webinar series. Each month will highlight a quality instructional material or idea for classroom instruction that will also tie in with the Nature of Science Concept discussed in the meetup during the first week of the month. Details and connection information for the SECO webinar can be found on the SECO webpage.

Fourth Tuesday – Grade Level Breakout Chats – (NO Breakout sessions in December/May)

Teachers of each grade level or course will have the opportunity to meet in breakout sessions with other colleagues around the state; to share thoughts, ideas, and questions more specific to their particular science classroom needs.

Join Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87929130312

There are so many wonderful virtual resources for Apple Crunch this year!

There are virtual apple orchard field trips and great lesson plans to do with your Zoom classrooms.

All you have to do is register your school to have access to these free resources.

Here are more details:

• The Crunch will take place Thursday, October 8
• The recommended time is 12:00 and the teachers can have their class join all the schools across the Great Lakes virtually, or the teacher can set up a time that works for them and just keep it to a class activity.
• If you do your own time, please share pictures with Chris Weatherholtz
• Here is the registration: https://uwmadison.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5nxXXgwnCLDICxv
• Here are the links for the lessons: https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cuubqasMBgTPoix
  

Please send all inquiries to Chris Weatherholtz, Nutrition Education/Farm to School Coordinator K-12. cweatherholtz3151@columbus.k12.oh.us

New on the Digital Binder:

Check out the new HMH and Social Studies connections

documents on the Social Studies Digital Binder.

The documents are centered around the new HMH reading curriculum.

The left column lists the HMH modules/lessons that will be taught over the quarter.

The right column shows how Ohio Social Studies standards connect to the HMH lesson.

The middle column lists the resources from the HMH lesson that can be used to teach the Social Studies standard.

You will notice that the Social Studies standard relevant to a particular text may not be taught during the same quarter you are teaching the HMH lesson. Keep in mind that you can revisit the HMH text during the Social Studies quarter where it fits, for opportunities to engage in close reading, rereading, and making connections, among others.

Kindergarten

1st grade

2nd grade

3rd grade

4th grade

5th grade

Have you ever used GetEpic? website

Get Epic is a free online children's literature resource teachers and students can use at home or school until June 2021.

Check out the Google Slides Show to read more about how to get started with Epic.

There are 2 ways to give students free access to Epic:

Epic School: Students can use during school, 7am-4pm local time, M-F

During school hours, students can log in to Epic School from school or home with their Class Code, and read between 7am-4pm.

Teachers can access Epic School at any time.

Epic Free: Students can use after school, after 4pm local time, M-F and weekends

After 4pm local time, students can access a selection of books on Epic Free for up to 2 hours/week, after parents sign up with an email address.

You can invite parents to sign up by sending an email or a flyer.

After that, students can simply log in to Epic using their class code to access both Epic School and Epic Free.

Their reading experience will switch seamlessly between the two experiences, depending on the time of day!

Epic features:

• you can upload your roster from Google Classroom or invite students to use the resource with a class code
• read to me feature (highlights each word and the student can turn off the feature)
• dictionary lookup
• grade-specific, high-interest topics across languages & genres
  
• available on iPads, iPhones and Android devices, and on any computer, including Chromebooks