November 2020 - Fluency and Flexibility with Numbers (Models)
Number sense is an important part of mathematics learning, and is essential to our daily lives. Jo Boaler states, “People with number sense are those who can use numbers flexibly. When asked to solve 7 x 8 someone with number sense may have memorized 56 but they would also be able to work out that 7 x 7 is 49 and then add 7 to make 56, or they may work out ten 7’s and subtract two 7’s (70-14). They would not have to rely on a distant memory” (Fluency With Fear).
October 2020 - Digital Tools to Support Math Learning
Mathematics is a highly visual subject and as a result, to help learners gain a better understanding of mathematics concepts, we need to make math as visual as possible for them. The following are digital tools that support our learners - helping them see mathematics and make connections with their learning.
There are a variety of digital manipulatives here that will support learners with all areas of math learning.
September 2020 - Where to Find Supports in Mathematics
Welcome to a new school year and a new year of mathematical thinking.
At the end of June 2020, The Ministry of Education released Ontario’s new math curriculum. Please access the Ministry’s website to find out what students will be learning in their math classes.
The strands in the new curriculum from grades 1 to 8 are:
June 2020 - Taking Math Outside
Have you ever thought about taking math outside? “Being outside enables connections to be made between the hands, heart and head, laying the foundation for more complex work as children grow, develop and learn. The natural and built worlds provide dynamic and constantly changing environments, offering an endless supply of patterns, textures, quantities and other attributes that underpin much of the necessary early maths experiences” (Messy Maths: A Playful, Outdoor Approach for Early Years)
May 2020 - Measurement
How long? How tall? How heavy? How far? Measurement is an inescapable math concept that children utilize everyday without realizing it. Measurement involves finding or comparing the size, length or amount of something. Children will naturally begin to explore the concept of measurement through play and will develop ways to quantify amounts using non-standard units such as hands, feet or blocks.
April 2020 - Manipulatives
Manipulatives are concrete materials that children can use to represent mathematical ideas. They are important tools in developing mathematical understanding for all children K-12.
Manipulatives help children by providing:
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Models they can refer to (i.e., visualize) even when the manipulatives are no longer present
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A reason for them to work cooperatively to solve problems
March 2020 - Creativity in Math
Have you ever realized how much creativity there is in math? The Arts (visual arts, music and dance) are creative mediums that are interconnected with mathematical concepts and reasoning. When children are engaged in the Arts they are developing their artistic skills as well as their mathematical skills in a variety of areas (e.g., spatial reasoning, proportional reasoning and problem solving). Artists work creatively and flexibly with geometric shapes, scaling, patterns, fractions and many more mathematical concepts.
February 2020 - Picture Books and Math
Have you ever thought about using picture books to learn math with your child? Children of all ages love stories and they are a friendly way to engage in math talk about numbers and other mathematical concepts. The visual displays can help children understand the math and the story line helps them connect math to their everyday life.
Using picture books to explore math can:
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Help children learn mathematical concepts and skills
January 2020 - Math Anxiety
- How do you react when you see a math problem? Do your palms start to sweat, does your mind go blank, do you start to feel physically ill? Approximately one third of children feel anxious when doing math - and the scary part is, this anxiety has been found in children as young as 5 years old. We need to help children see that math is more than just right and wrong answers or sets of facts and rules, so they can find the joy and beauty in it.
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Here are some tips for how you can help your child develop a positive relationship with math:
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December 2019 - Money and Financial Literacy
With the winter break approaching, there are many opportunities to discuss money and financial literacy with your child. Financial literacy involves all aspects of money such as budgeting, saving, investing, debt management, retirement planning, insurance and taxes.