Top Teacher Picks: Must-Have Games for Home and Classroom from Amazon Prime Day
Welcome to the ultimate guide to my favorite teacher items and math manipulatives, all available at unbeatable prices during Amazon Prime Day! As a dedicated educator, I know how essential it is to have the right tools to enhance the learning experience for our students. From engaging math manipulatives that make abstract concepts tangible to indispensable classroom supplies that keep us organized and efficient, this list has everything you need. Join me as I share my top picks, all at amazing discounts, to help you make the most of this year’s Prime Day deals. Get ready to stock up on…
Beyond the Headlines: Teaching Confirmation Bias in Media
Discover how I collaborated with ELA teachers to integrate media literacy lessons using KQED's "Above the Noise" videos. Learn how I created an engaging Hyperdoc on confirmation bias and cognitive bias, helping students spot fake news. Dive into innovative resources and techniques to enhance your classroom's critical thinking skills.
The Evolution of Math Education: Understanding the Why Before the How
I had another post planned for today, but I decided to change the subject based on a conversation I had the other day. During my yearly physical earlier this week, I was wearing one of my many math shirts, which prompted my doctor to ask, “Why did we have to go and change math to this new math?” This is not the first time I’ve been asked this question. As a Response to Intervention teacher for 8 1/2 years, parents often asked me this at open houses, parent-teacher conferences, and any school event. Honestly, once anyone finds out that I…
Play to Learn: Ticket to Ride
The first American Style board game we will look at in the Play to Learn series is Ticket to Ride. This is one of the easier strategy games to play when entering this genre of games. It is in the group of games I first learned how to play and one of the first games I teach and suggest to new groups of gamers! Ticket to Ride is a cross-country train adventure where players gather and play matching train cards to claim railway routes connecting cities across North America. Longer routes earn more points. Additional points are awarded to players who…
A Few of My Favorite Things- Non-Curricular Tasks
Within the past few years, Peter Liljedahl’s book, Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics for grades K-12, has blasted off in the mathematics education world! This popular book outlines 14 Teaching Practices for Enhancing Learning- all focusing on a math classroom. Over many years of research in a variety of schools and locations, he noticed that students were not thinking about math. Enter his 14 best practices to improve how we get students to think about math. The tasks we give during a math class, based on his research, are based off of years of institutional norms. The way our parents learned…
Play to Learn: Carcassonne
In the second blog post in the Play to Learn series, we will look at the game Carcassonne. This game is similar to Settlers of Catan, in that it is a Euro-style game. The game is based on mechanics versus story and theme. Carcassonne is a tile placement game. Players are looking to match tiles and place tiles to gain experience points (XP) . Tiles are picked at random and have illustrations of southern French landscape. Meeples represent people in the game and score points for the players. There are four types of tiles in the game. Farmland,…
Math on the Move: Exploring Algebra with TI Rovers
Just a few weeks ago, I was able to work with students in Algebra I classes using the TI-Innovator™ Rover. In New York State, we have end of the year Regents Examinations, which are achievement tests aligned with New York State’s learning standards. This year, the Algebra I Regents was early, which allowed for me to go into schools to use the TI-Innovator™ Rover. Students got to explore math content in a hands on way, while also learning how to code! One of the schools I went to had students compete in Rover Olympics! Each group picked a country to…
EduProtocol: Word Up Wednesday
Discover Word Up Wednesday, an EduProtocol that enhances vocabulary learning through collaboration and creativity. In just 5 minutes, students work together to complete tasks like definitions, synonyms, and memes. This engaging, low-pressure activity is adaptable to any subject, making learning both fun and effective.
Embracing the Fidget: A Transformative Approach to PD for Teachers
As a Mathematics Teacher Trainer, I’ve discovered that working with adults during professional development sessions is remarkably similar to teaching in a classroom. Teachers often joke that they are the worst students, and there’s some truth to that. Teaching is an exhausting profession. You’re always “on,” wearing multiple hats, and masking your true feelings to be the best educator for your students. The stress is compounded when you have to plan for a substitute teacher, knowing that your students might only receive review material instead of advancing in new lessons. You might even have to reteach the content upon your…
Engaging Students with EduProtocols
What are EduProtocols? EduProtocols are instructional lesson frames designed to engage students in learning through critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity. EduProtocols can be used with any subject and any grade level, from kindergarten through adult education. The key to the success of EduProtocols is repetition. The original creators are Marlena Hebern and Jon Corippo, and several other authors have since added their voices to the EduProtocol movement. A recent addition is “EduProtocols for Primary,” which fills an important gap that was previously missing. I was lucky to receive an advanced reader’s copy, and it was fabulous! Any content can…
