Why Math Discussions?

If you haven’t read 5 Practices for Orchestrating Productive Mathematics Discussions you need to. This is basically the mecca of math discussions. Published by NCTM in 2018 it addresses how you can implement math discussions in your classroom.

So, let’s chat about why we need math discussions? Read this quote below about how globalization has changed the demands on the types of thinkers we need in the job force.

The thing is jobs used to allow for people to use basic skills, but now in today’s world we need critical thinkers. We need our students to be able to think, reason, and problem solve. Especially, as the quote says, girls and minorities. So, I ask you…

What opportunities are you giving your students to develop these critical skills needed to be successful in today’s world?

How do you support and engage your students in opportunities to engage with complex problems?

So, now let’s get clear on what we want our students to be able to do. What does it actually look like in a student? Read the quote below.

We want our students to be able to explain and justify with evidence their math thinking! We want them to be able to reason through their ideas and the ideas of their peers. In addition, we want our students to be able to provide evidence and rationale for their math ideas that demonstrates their deep understanding of mathematics. Friends, this can happen… in fact it can all happen through math discussions.

What do you mean ALL Learners Engaged in Math Discussions?

But first, I just want to clarify what I mean by all learners. I mean…

ALL LEARNERS

I’m not trying to be dramatic… okay, maybe a little. But I’m serious, we have to believe that every single child can achieve, be engaged and understand deeply. So, yes. Your learners that are shy, energetic, resistant to math, those that learn differently or take longer to process. Every single learner can be engaged in math discussions.

Engage Every Learning in your Student Centered Math Class with this Ebook!

You can get a head start by downloading my free ebook on the 5 Steps to a Student Centered Math Classroom. Grab it by clicking the picture below!!

5 Tips forEngage All Learners in Math Discussions

#1 Choose a worthy Math Task for Math Discussions

In order to engage your students in a math discussion they need something to talk about. We know there are a few kids in our class who could carry on a discussion about anything. However, we want to use this math discussion to move their understanding of math concepts forward. So that means we must choose a worthy math task. One that has a “low floor’ meaning it allows for students to access the problem with a simple first step. Then, a “high ceiling” in which all learners are challenged within the task. Low Floor High Ceiling tasks are open in nature which allow students to approach problem solving in any way that makes sense to them. If you want to know more about the research of low floor, high ceiling tasks this video from Jo Boaler is helpful.  Find out more about my favorite math task- Problem of the Day at on this post. 

#2 Turn & Talks Engage Students in Math Discussions

Using turn and talks are a great way to get students talking in math discussions.  I suggest using a turn & talk at the beginning of the math discussion to engage every student. It might go something like this…

• a few students share their work from the task.
• ask students to turn and talk about the strategies and models.
• come back together and ask partnerships to share what they talked about to get the discussion rolling.

Be sure to set up clear expectations and procedures for your turn and talks. You don’t want to loose valuable minutes managing student behavior during the turn and talk.  So spend the time at the beginning laying the foundation of a solid procedure & expectations. Then, practice! I like to turn and talk to get to know each other first to practice our procedures and meeting expectations!

#3 Use Opened Ended Prompts to Engage All Learners in Math Discussions

I always start our math discussion off with an open ended question. I LOVE “What do you notice?” or “What do you wonder?” These open ended questions allow students to drive the thinking and discussion. This is also a great prompt to give students for a turn and talk. Be sure you listen closely as students share what they notice. This is the perfect time to do a quick check for understanding and decide the direction you’ll take the math discussion.

#4 Accept All Answers in Math Discussions

Students are often nervous about what to say or how to say it in math discussions. I urge you to accept all answers in math discussions. That will allow students to see that it is safe to share a response that is incorrect. If students are discussing flawed reasoning or a misconception point them to the models to use evidence to explain & ask then to clarify their thinking. It is important that the job of reasoning and explaining stays on the students.

#5 Give Students a Way to Opt-Out in Math Discussions

As you continue to build your students ability to participate in math discussions it is important you give them

a way to opt-out. It is so important we teach students real world skills, and the truth is sometimes you’re not ready to share. I like to make an anchor chart of a few phrases students can use if they aren’t ready to participate. It usually includes, “I need another minute to think.” “Could I get some help please?” “Could you come back to me please?” This allows the classmates to jump in and help and the door open for us to come back to the student.

I do want to note it is important this is not interpreted as lowering the expectations for students, but instead accommodating students until they are ready. I continue to encourage students to participate and remind them participating is the best way to learn. We discuss our expectations for discussions every time we start, so students know they are expected to participate. This approach of allowing students to “opt out” helps build community and develop a sense of belonging in the students. It is my hope they know that we want them to participate when they are ready and there are supports in place to help them become ready.

Looking for other Discussion Resources?

Here is a blog post on discussion stems. 

Check out this blog post about 3 number talk ideas to improve your students’ fact fluency!

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The Math Teacher Collaborative

Are you looking for a community of like minded teachers to collaborate with? We have a weekly live training and opportunities for Q&A! You must join us if you’re looking to deepen your practice as a math educator and collaborate with some other amazing folks. I hope to see you there.

Reach All Learners in your Student Centered Classroom with this Ebook!

Downloading my free ebook on the 5 Steps to a Student Centered Math Classroom. Grab it by clicking the picture below!!

The post 5 Tips to Engage All Learners in Math Discussions appeared first on Mona Math.

If you’re like me you’re teaching during this pandemic – virtually, hybrid, in person and then swiftly back to virtual you are STRUGGLING with math lesson planning. And after months, do you still feel like you have no idea what you’re doing? You’re not sure if your math lesson plans are right. Let me reassure you YOU ARE DOING AMAZING WORK.

Seriously, take a moment to reflect on where your students started and what they can do now! You are leading students through a pandemic, teaching them in news ways, and supporting their social emotional needs. 

And that’s all amazing, but you’re still struggling with finding what to plan and how to plan for all the things in a sustainable way. Yup. YES! Uh Huh.
I’ve compiled the common questions and answers from teachers all over to help us share some knowledge on how to make planning sustainable and enjoyable while delivering high quality lessons to our students no matter how they join our class.

How do you know what to put in your math lesson plans? 

Prioritize

Prioritize. Your math lesson plans should only include the highest priority content.
How can you find the high priority content to add to your math lesson plans?
Start with the “critical areas” for your grade level and then implementing some high yield routines. First, go to the CCSS website and find your grade level introduction to the standards. (Here is 3rd grade- just click on your grade level on the right side). There you’ll see an explanation of the critical areas for your grades math (it’s only about 1 page of reading & very useful). Use that to help you pick and choose the units you will cover this school year. 

Add: High Yield Math Routines to your Math Lesson Plans!

Add routines to your math lesson plans. High Yield Routines for Grades K-8 by By Ann McCoy, Joann Barnett, Emily Combs defines high yield routines as an “easily implemented routines that will provide teachers with opportunities to enhance the content knowledge and mathematical practices of their students.” Routines provide a safe and predictable structure for your students that allow them to go deep in their math understanding & practice essential mathematical skills (like attending to precision & making sense of problems and persevere in solving them). Routines are quick & easy to plan, but avoid drill & kill and surface level work, and instead drive toward deep conceptual understanding of math concepts.

#1 Routine: Math Warm Up

I suggest you add 2 types of routines to your math lesson plans.
First, a warm up routine. This could include any of the high yield routines such as quick images, number of the day, which one doesn’t belong, or alike & different. These routines function as a spiral review while also giving students time to develop math meaning through exploration and discussion.
I have several for all grade levels listed here for sale.

#2 Routine: Problem Solving

Second, add a problem solving routine to your math lesson plans. Develop a simple problem solving routine that will allow your students to develop their conceptual understanding through grappling and discussion. Start by launching the problem, then let students grapple independently, finally synthesize the learning with a share and discourse.

Other Ideas for your Math Lesson Plans:

Add some winter fun to your math classroom!

I know the next thing you’re going to ask me is, where do I get the problems? Start with your curriculum. Are there any high quality math tasks in your lessons? Illustrative math (6-8) & EngageNY (k-5) are open source curriculums that both have problems that work well for problem solving! Or you can grab the 5th grade problems pictured on my TPT shop.

How do you plan for virtual live classes? 

Weekly Template of Slides for Math Lesson Plans

Anyone else TIRED of making slides?
My math lesson plans are done in a weekly template of slides. Then, I can easily repurpose slides by swapping out new problems for each week. 

An Opening & Closing

Add an opening and closing to your math lesson plans. This will help you welcome your students in within the first 5 minutes. Consider adding a discussion prompt to get students engaged in the chat as soon as they join the live meeting. I have also recently added a quote from a famous Mathematician to my opening slide. I ask students to reflect on the quote and insert tidbits about the person’s life and career. 

The RIGHT Tech Tools for your Math Lesson Plans

I reviewed my top 3 favorite tech tools to help you find one that will work for you. Read my reviews here.

What are your math lesson plans for asynchronous days? 

Projects.

Your math lesson plans need Projects.
To be honest, my students aren’t motivated to complete practice problems on the days between our live classes. When they do complete them the work is low quality. However, when I engage them in relevant project based tasks students are engaged and completing work.

My 6th graders loved our most recent project- Ratio’s Cookbook Project. With 80% participation and an increase in office hours participants, I’m calling projects a win. In live class we spent 5-10 minutes sharing work, asking questions and discussing the project. We ended the project with a culminating “recipe party” where students shared recipes in breakout rooms. My students were motivated and excited to complete the project. Here’s what they had to say about the project vs. practice problems. 

I’m not the only one who thinks your math lesson plans need projects. My friend, Kristen from “Moore Than Just x” write about how Project Based Learning can get your real results!

What do you do when students don’t do work or come to live lessons? 

When students don’t come to school I worry about them. I designated time in my math lesson plans to connect with families. It honestly only takes 5 minutes to call a family.

I reach out to their family out of concern. By approaching the absence from a place of concern and support it lowers any defenses and helps families see that my main motive is to help. I have found when I reach out this way families are often struggling with technology, internet, or family crisis. I suggest you make a phone call. Don’t send an email or a text, but reach out with concern and willingness to help. Your students and their families will appreciate your compassion.

How do you plan for virtual assessments ?

This is yet another thing about virtual teaching that feels unfair and impossible. I get it. But we owe it to our students to ensure they continue to make progress and have the proof of that progress. Assessment is one of the best ways to show students the incredible gains they are making!

My math lesson plans include daily exit tickets. The exit tickets ask students to explain their thinking in addition to the multiple choice questions. This allows instant feedback from the multiple choice. The extended response allows you to understand their thinking and assess what additional supports are needed. Exit tickets are a majority of the data I gather.

Summative assessments were more of a challenge, but required. Some things I did were: 

• Made them available only on the live. 
• If students missed class they had to take it during office hours (live) 
• Students cameras had to be on. 
• Students solved on paper and submitted a picture of their work as a part of their assessment. 

Things I couldn’t control for, the use of a calculator or someone sitting off camera helping them. I continue to teach my students about integrity and the purpose of the assessment. After that, I just hope for the best.

But what about the kids who still aren’t doing anything? 

I know, it is frustrating and we feel like our hands are tied and we could be doing so much more if we could see them in school more often. I continue to make my math lesson plans high quality. So, when student DO show up they are getting quality instruction.

Other things to try:

*reach out to the social worker
*ask their friends to call, text, or chat them on their video game.

What other questions do you have about Math Lesson Plans (or anything else)?

Are math lesson plans still overwhelming you? Put your burning questions or the questions that are keeping you up at night down below! I’ll reach out to my network and continue to gather resources and answers for all of our questions. It might just be a Top 5 phrase of 2020, but “We’re in the together”, after all.

The post Math Lesson Plans in a Pandemic are TOUGH… but so are you! appeared first on Mona Math.