The National Council of Teachers of Math (NCTM) “is an international association advocating for high-quality mathematics teaching and learning for each and every student.” They are currently offering free memberships and providing access to research based resources including articles, learning plans and more.
Given our current situation, teachers may find that parents and students are overwhelmed and unable to grapple with content or concepts that are new or too challenging. Consider using this time for review and application of previously covered concepts before moving on to new material. Perhaps this is a good time to provide some choice to your students around applying prior learning through an at home project, provocation, problem solving or problem based learning?
- Math Resources:
- K-7: Janice Novakowski, @jnovakowski38 on Twitter, (Richmond SD38 numeracy helping teacher and local math guru!) has started a collection of resources to support teaching in our current COVID context for K-2, 3-5, 6-7. For all ages, consider downloading and sharing, perhaps along with a prompt or provocation, one of her play outdoors posters (one example pictured here).
- For weekly Math tasks/plans for home learning, visit the Continuity of Learning pages from SD38 (another shout out to Janice Novakowski and her fab math colleagues!) The K-9 learning plans “include five tasks for each week connected to one foundational math concept and big idea with connections to BC curricular content and competencies. They are intended to be shared with families as one choice for their week’s learning opportunities in mathematics.”
- Meghan Zeni (@roomtoplay on Twitter) is one of my go to sources for elementary aged outdoor learning activities including Math ideas like this patterns in nature post
- K-12: Illuminations – National Council of Teachers of Math website with Lessons and interactive simulations for online math learning
- K-9 and beyond: Marilyn Burns Math Blog. On her blog, and @mburnsmath, Marilyn has been sharing regular posts with engaging and simple math activities that can be done at home using materials many families will have on hand. There are many games with NO digital tech required and several that incorporate digi tech. A favourite no tech game my own elementary aged students loved to play is Race to 100. Where appropriate, a teacher (or child) might make these higher tech and interactive by playing games together in a synchronous web space or video recording and sharing a game (much like many kids enjoy doing with their video games). Some students might enjoy sharing their math-edventures via flipgrid video, text chat or what about a live game on a digital whiteboard (such as awww)
- IXL Math is a skillbuilder website for grades 1 – 12 that includes diagnostic quizzes for various concepts and will provide students with ‘appropriate leveled’ practice activities (mobile or web browser). NB: 30 day free trial, not canadian housed so be sure to check with your school/district for permissions and access. Teacher Eric Neumeyer shares ‘how to use IXL videos’ on his class blog to support students (and parents and teachers) learning to use this free online digital resource. Of further interest is Eric’s approach to COVID learning with his students: optional can do activities along with must do/essential learning activities. While his full lessons and activities are shared on his private google classroom with his students, you can see what he is sharing and assigning to his students on his blog. You’ll notice that he shares brief ‘explainer videos’ so that students can read and also ‘view’ what they need to (or can) do.
- At home project idea for any age (given some support) COOKING! Need I say more? The math and science learning in this life-long activity cannot be overstated: Sharing cooking experiences (trials and errors); halving or doubling recipes; sharing favourite recipes; sharing photos and reflections on ‘top chef’ or ‘fridge-challenges'(i.e. make something with X number of random ingredients from your fridge – no going to the store!); investigating food as cultural and intercultural experience. The SD36 (Surrey) District Aboriginal Learning’s Idea of the Day Blog often shares math ideas and recently shared a bannock recipe. Check out @teachertong on Twitter and the THESA (Home Ec Specialists Assoc) website for home learning ideas for Middle and Secondary learners including this adaptable « choice board » of foods learning experiences – parents will appreciate the « clean the microwave » option!.
- No post that références learning outside would be complete without a shout out and link to Gillian Judson’s Walking Curriculum – including, but not limited to, math ideas. A truly interdisciplinary, imaginative approach! (a post devoted to this resource here) @perfinker on Twitter.
Working with older students and want to look at data? This article « The Math Behind Social Distancing » on Global News includes some excellent info graphics With clear explanations of the math behind the data.
Don’t have dice to play with? Try making your own! (thanks to one of Janice’s ‘Math at Home’ youtube videos)
