Real-Life Math: 2 Simple Strategies for Joyful Math Talk

As the beginning of a new school year quickly approaches, we need to consider how we are going to build a positive math culture in our classrooms. I believe that every math class can be inviting and exciting for our students if we are intentional about creating joyful experiences. One of the key features ofContinue reading Real-Life Math: 2 Simple Strategies for Joyful Math Talk

Being Open-Minded to Mental Math

A recent conversation with a group of friends got me thinking about how I was taught to do calculations compared to how my children are being taught. I’m sure we have all heard the debate on “new math” versus “old math.” I don’t think there is such a thing, to be honest, but I do think there has been a distinct shift in the strategies students are being taught in elementary school for computations. …

Five Tips for Incorporating a Growth Mindset into Math Teaching

Growth mindset has become very popular in education and is, in a way, a bit of a buzz term. However, the benefits of applying growth mindset strategies in the math classroom have been visible among most of my students in my secondary mathematics classroom. I am a strong advocate for shifting our teaching from fixed mindset approaches to ones that incorporate a growth mindset. …

What Does Race Have to do With Math?

Like many, I have done a lot of learning (and unlearning) over the past several weeks. The world was already in a state of panic and vulnerability due to the Covid-19 pandemic when the murder of George Floyd, broadcast across social media, brought the Black Lives Matter movement to the forefront of our minds more than ever before.

Math in Cooking

There is no more relevant way to bring mathematics into the “real world” than through food. We all consume it, prepare it, talk about it, and some really enjoy doing all these things, too! If food is such a big part of our lives, why not use it as a constant opportunity to talk about math with our children? …

Games and Mathematics

This week I am featuring five board games/card games and describing how they contribute to your child’s math skills. The details listed can be applied to most other games with similar game play. The important thing to remember is to bring out any mathematical concept that arises during play and seize the opportunity to delve into it further! …