Math involves logic and concepts which need to be experienced in order to be fully understood. My goal as your child's math teacher is to create a learning environment where students are excited to discover, explore, talk, and write about math. I will ask rich, meaningful questions everyday, aiming to consistently build students' mathematical self-concepts, and challenge them to discover more. I will listen to their explanations and encourage them to ask questions of their own. I aim to create a classroom with a high cognitive demand for each learner, and provide each student with an acute awareness of the 8 Mathematical Practices to enable them to think deeply and apply what they know to be problem solvers!
My favorite part about math workshop is getting to work with kids in small, guided math groups. My ultimate goal is to personalize learning for each of my students and use learning progressions to encourage students to set goals for themselves. We will be running a true Math Workshop in our classroom, where students will meet with the teacher in small, guided groups and rotate through math stations that target their individual needs EVERYDAY. This year, more than ever, your child will grow as a mathematician, learn the value of mathematical discourse, think about math in ways they haven't before, and develop a growth mindset to achieve their goals. Let the learning adventure begin!
Our Textbook
We use an amazing math program called Into Math. There are two volumes of the text workbooks that students will keep in school. There is also a Homework Journal that goes along with our daily lessons. Nightly homework will most often be assigned from this workbook. Students may be asked to tear out pages and place them in their Take-Home Folder to be completed that evening for homework. Digital copies of both workbooks will be available to students via Clever.
Core Instructional Model
In recent years, there has been much research showing the effectiveness of problem-based teaching and learning. It is clear from this research that problem-based learning is THE best vehicle for developing expertise with mathematical practices. The Math Workshop Model in conjunction with Building Thinking Classrooms is based on this very type of instruction, introducing math in the context of solving a real problem in which ideas related to the new content are embedded. Furthermore, it is essential to make the new concept (or important mathematics) explicit with enhanced direct instruction. Students will have many opportunities to connect their thinking through high cognitive level classroom conversations that directly relate to the concepts being taught. Rich, real-world problems are presented to students, prompting the kind of thinking needed to be a good problem solver. In our classroom, students will be engaged daily in deep mathematical thinking that is learner-centered and student-owned. It doesn't take research to know that students perform better on procedural skills when the procedures make sense to them! Procedural skills are developed with conceptual understanding through careful learning progressions. Students will even get to set their own goals for academic growth. What's more is that there are a wealth of resources available to ensure all students achieve mathematical fluency, thus meeting the New Jersey Student State Standards.
What materials will my child need for math?
- Math Workbook & Homework Journal (provided)
- Math Notebook (1, 3, or 5 subject spiral notebook with 8.5x11 page size)
-Pencil Case with several sharpened pencils, glue stick, highlighters, scissors, and colorful writing tools (like thin markers (Mr. Sketch), and colored erasable pens (Frixion).
** It would be best if your math notebooks were durable. Five star makes a one subject notebook that has a harder, poly type cover and a back that is hard cardboard. Something like this would be great since the notebook will be getting so much use. Please write student's name on the inside somewhere. I will be providing name labels for the outside on the first day of school. It would be awesome if your math notebook had some pockets inside too. A classroom favorite are the Mr. Sketch thin markers. Kids love to use them to add color to their notebooks!
How can I help my child at home?
The number one thing you can do at home is encourage fluency of math facts. Help your child memorize their multiplication facts (or refresh their memory of them!) at least once per week. Ask them facts in the car, while waiting in line, or while cooking dinner. If they are having trouble with a few facts, zero in on these by placing sticky notes of the fact on the bathroom mirror, on the refrigerator, or on the bedroom door. Having a solid foundation of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division will help them tremendously in 4th grade. I can't stress this enough!
What about homework?
Your child will typically have math homework every night, Monday - Thursday. The workbook page will directly correlate with that day's focus lesson. Your child will have had lots of practice with the skill he or she is being asked to do for homework. If your child needs additional help, there are many resources available through the Into Math online platform that are fantastic (like videos showing how to do the problem). I'd also suggest that your child review the pages we worked on in class in both the workbook and his or her math notebook. Finally, if your child is truly struggling and has reached the frustration point, please just have him or her stop and write me a little note on the top of the math page. The last thing we want is for everyone to be miserable! I will make sure to review the skill or concept individually with your child the next day in class. If you are ever unsure of what has been assigned for homework, be sure you are signed up to receive REMIND texts from Mrs. Atkinson. Each day a photo of our Homework Board in the classroom will be shared with parents. This is a great way to stay in the loop with classroom happenings, upcoming tests, & important dates. When a student forgets to do his or her math homework, they are expected to complete it the following night or they can choose to go to study hall during their recess time. Many students like to go to study hall to get their homework done in advance as well, especially if they have a busy afternoon ahead with lots of after school activities. Students can just ask for a study hall slip, go to the supervised study hall room during their recess period, and have a homework-free evening ahead of them!
What if my child already knows the math being taught?
Before each topic, your child will take a pre-assessment to determine his or her knowledge of the concepts being introduced. Based on the results of this assessment, your child may be invited to take part in an optional "learning contract" type of assignment whereby he or she would opt out of select classroom lessons to work on an independent mathematical challenge that takes learning to the next level. This opportunity is available to all students throughout the year and is flexible in nature, students coming in and out as they choose. The type of contract work also changes so students always remain engaged! Examples of math contract activities we've done in the past include digital scavenger hunts, math escape rooms, building your own taco truck business, fraction bakery project, and constructing tiny houses. Kids just love them! Advanced learners will also have the opportunity for lots of small group time with the teacher in addition to pull-out learning lab and G&T sessions with our district's Gifted & Talented Specialist.
What about tests?
I always aim to give as much advance notice about upcoming tests as possible. It will never be a mystery as to what is on the tests! Reviews for tests are very specific, following the same general format as the actual test. I suggest students study a little bit each night to prepare if necessary, always going back over the lessons from the workbook and notes taken in their math notebook. I am more than happy to hold individual or group reteaching lessons anytime! If I am noticing that your child needs a little extra help, they will have ample opportunity to meet with me and get the help they need to be successful come test time. For most tests, I provide a "practice test" and answer key for the practice test. The practice test is usually almost EXACTLY like the real test with the exception of the numbers used. The very best way to study for a math test is to study the answer key to the practice test.
Google Classroom
Much of what we do in 4th grade takes place through our Google Classroom platforms. Because of this, you won't see many traditional worksheets or handouts coming home with your child as you may have in the past. In your child's Math Google Classroom, he or she will watch videos, complete assignments, read relevant articles, practice math digitally, play math games, and respond to mathematical inquiries. Each student will have a login and password that can easily be accessed from home. Parents can check their child's google classrooms to see if they are up to date with assignments. All passwords and login information will be recorded in the front of your child's planner (student agenda).
What is Math Workshop?
The Math Workshop model combines direct instruction with hands-on and student-centered learning opportunities. I typically begin my workshop with a whole group math warm up or number talk that gets kids thinking about and engaging with math right away. Next, we gather on the carpet for our focus lesson, or math mini lesson, before breaking off into small groups to rotate through meaningful math centers. One of the stations is the teacher table where your child will meet with me for small group, leveled guided math instruction. It is here that I will be able to teach concepts in ways that make sense to your child, assess understanding of math concepts, model with manipulatives, and ensure your child is experiencing math ah-ha moments on a daily basis. It is truly amazing to see the growth that comes from consistent, targeted small group learning! After students have completed math rotations, we will meet again on the carpet for a whole group debrief of the day's learning. This is your child's time to share something they noticed or learned, teach a new strategy to the class, or reflect on math. It is often here that we talk about and set new personalized math goals and hone our growth mindsets. Students will come to love our math workshop wrap-up just as much as the math centers themselves!
The goal of the Math Workshop model is to promote differentiation, engagement, and collaborative learning. Your child is going to just LOVE Math Workshop in room 21!
