There are two things every single mathematics classroom needs: a great plan and hands-on materials. Intentional mathematics planning is far more than turning to Lesson 7 in the book or throwing in some fact drills here and there. Real planning includes looking for misconceptions and how to address them going forward. And even with the best of plans, a math class is sunk if kids don’t have an opportunity to put their hands on tools and physically engage in mathematics. I’ve developed two resources to help teachers plan and put fingers on tools that work for any grade level.
Scholastic Teachables asked me to consider the kinds of tools teachers need in the classroom. They added my resources to the Scholastic Teachables site where teachers can purchase single items or a subscription to download virtually anything; lesson plans to class decor it is all there. Just for checking out my resources, you can win a free Gold Subscription good for an entire year of all the products you could want! The subscription is valued at $59.95! All teachers love a freebie! Just click here to enter daily through 12pm eastern August 31 (or scroll to the bottom of this post for an easy entry button!). Here are just two of my resources ready to print and use!
Math Lesson Plan
The Math Lesson Plan can be used to plan daily lessons or to think through the objectives for an entire week or unit. The sections are not intended to repeat what is already in the teacher edition for any given lesson, but instead for teachers to think through the skills, vocabulary, and misunderstandings that students need to conquer. Sections include:
Standards - In order to write a lesson, you have to know what the standard entails!
Objective - Think in terms of a student saying, “I can….”
Models - These are math drawing or representations students should use. They might already know them and they serve as access points, or they might be learning them in this lesson.
Strategies - This is the student thinking that goes along with the models. Strategies might include counting on, solving for x, or using order of operations.
Vocabulary - Consider what words are needed to access the lesson and what words will be new or need solidification for students.
Misconceptions - Anticipate what students will do incorrectly in thinking or modeling. This helps stave off errors before they happen.
Questions/Sentence Stems - Facilitate mathematical thinking by planning your teacher questions before you teach.
After considering the overall parts of the lesson, use the planner to add in the activities that will achieve your lesson goals. These include:
Fluency & Spiral Review - Consider fluency and review that accesses prior knowledge, uses specific models, or starts developing skills for future lessons.
Lesson Activities - The heart of what you are teaching. Here is where today’s teacher talk and student work come into play.
Re-teaching, Intervention, & Extended Learning - Plan time for students you know need intense intervention to access today’s lesson, might need support during the work, or who will finish quickly and easily. What else might you do for these students?
Materials - The nuts and bolts you need accessible for this lesson
Teacher Reflection, Students & Notes is where you can keep track during and after the lesson about what worked and where students still need support. Noting certain students can help you hone in on support during the next lesson. Check out my completed sample plan for ideas on how to structure your own lesson plan writing!
Math Equation Cards
Print out the Math Equation Cards on card stock and laminate them for durability. Create a set for each student or table that can be used throughout the year. Once students learn one-to-one correspondence and start working with numbers, number cards can be an easy way to make numbers tangible.
Very young students can use cards while counting to touch and slide into place or to label objects. One of the best things to do with number cards and young children is to start working backwards while you work forwards. Get students used to going in any order with their number early. Cards can be an additional support to students who are older but are not fluid with counting backwards.
Early grades can use number cards to create equations to match given situations. Once students physically build word problems with counters and blocks, they can label their work with number and operation cards. As students grow, they can use cards for expanded notation, working with fractions, and composing complex equations with variables or parenthesis. Check the Teachable file for a variety of activities suitable for students through middle grades and even beyond!
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