education… The Story of Fibonacci, and the Math Ethnic Studies Framework 17 Oct 201917 Oct 2019 In the late 12th century, a young Leonardo Bonacci -- better known as Fibonacci -- traveled with his merchant father from their home in Italy to Algeria (North Africa). They…
assessment… Choosing a Story to Tell: Examining a Lesson Close in 1st Grade 28 Aug 201928 Aug 2019 I had planned to spend my first time in Room 12 observing the classroom teacher and getting to know her students. Instead, the teacher texted me the day before to…
in the classroom Daysha at the Board: Assigning Competence 2 Mar 201913 Jun 2019 "Sit down, Daysha... Daysha." Six-year-old Daysha shot me an icy glare while she leisurely pumped hand sanitizer onto her open palm. The rest of her class was all sitting on…
education… “I see the same hands”: Dealing with Discretionary Spaces 12 Feb 201912 Feb 2019 The teacher frowned as she looked out at her 25 students, only 3 of which had their hands raised -- the same three students who always had their hands raised."I see…
curriculum… “Why is the math teacher here for social studies?” 16 Jan 201915 Jan 2019 I slipped quietly into Room 304, trying not to distract the fourth graders, who were finishing up a writing assignment. I set up my laptop to project to the white…
workshop Strategy 3: Use High-Leverage Instructional Routines (Fessenden/Laib NCTM Session) 8 Nov 201827 Nov 2018 In early October, I presented at NCTM Hartford with the incomparable Heidi Fessenden (@heidifessenden / blog). Our session was called "Strategies for Cultivating Mathematical Thinking for All Learners." Slides available…
workshop Strategy 2: Assign Competence (Fessenden/Laib NCTM Session) 7 Nov 20186 Nov 2018 In early October, I presented at NCTM Hartford with the incomparable Heidi Fessenden (@heidifessenden / blog). Our session was called "Strategies for Cultivating Mathematical Thinking for All Learners." Slides…
workshop Strategy 1: Reword the SMPs in Student-Friendly Language (Fessenden/Laib NCTM Session) 6 Nov 20185 Nov 2018 In early October, I presented at NCTM Hartford with the incomparable Heidi Fessenden (@heidifessenden / blog). Our session was called "Strategies for Cultivating Mathematical Thinking for All Learners." Slides available…
workshop NCTM Hartford 2018: Strategies for Cultivating Mathematical Thinking for All Learners (Fessenden & Laib) 5 Nov 20188 Nov 2018 In early October, I presented at NCTM Hartford with the incomparable Heidi Fessenden (@heidifessenden / blog). Our session was called "Strategies for Cultivating Mathematical Thinking for All Learners." Slides available…
education Doris 23 Jan 201817 Nov 2019 A student from my first ever fourth grade class -- now in his 20s -- contacted me on Facebook today. He was glad that I remembered him. "u and mrs…
child study 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…
