Assessments: Capturing a Moment in Time

20 Feb 2020

It can be tempting to overgeneralize what we learn from an assessment. See how that second grader drew tally marks to solve 54 + 28? He's a direct modeler. He…

Student-Created 3 Act Tasks

10 Jul 201917 Nov 2019

Ashley, an experienced 2nd grade teacher, added the 3 Act Tasks to her repertoire this year. Among Ashley's many strengths include listening thoughtfully to students and engaging them in the design process. She…

One of Favorite Games: The Skip Count Game

30 May 20196 Jan 2020

This game is part of my "simple but high leverage" collection of games that are flexible, engaging, and easy to prep. Others include Number Boxes and the Answer Is... I've played the…

One of My Favorite Games: Number Boxes

29 May 20196 Jan 2020

This game is part of my "simple but high leverage" collection of games that are flexible, engaging, and easy to prep. Others include The Answer Is... and the Skip Count Game. I…

One of My Favorite Games: The Answer Is…

28 May 20196 Jun 2019

This game is part of my "simple but high leverage" collection of games that are flexible, engaging, and easy to prep. Others include Number Boxes and the Skip Count Game. I have…

No More Mathematical Matchmaking: The Return of the Inaba Place Value Puzzles

26 Nov 201827 Nov 2018

When I first started teaching, I believed in being a mathematical matchmaker. I thought that differentiation meant giving students different tiered assignments -- it seemed much better than pushing every…

Breaking the “100 Barrier” with Jamal

10 Mar 201727 Nov 2018

“98, 99…” Second grader Jamal and I had worked for a full month -- one-on-one, four days per week -- to develop his sequencing skills and mental number line. Every time we made it…

There Are Only Two Ways: Making Conjectures in Second Grade

27 Jan 201723 Feb 2017

Today, I led a quick "finger math" warm up in a second grade classroom. In honor of reaching "half way day" -- the half way point in the school year! --…