January 2017
Math News
NAME
Melissa Manning, Math Specialist - [email protected]
Mathematical Practice Standard 3:
Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
Mathematically proficient students… justify their
conclusions, communicate them to others, and respond
to the arguments of others. They… distinguish correct
logic or reasoning from that which is flawed, and – if
there is a flaw in an argument – explain what it is.
(Common Core MP.3) Elementary students can construct
arguments concretely – using objects, drawings,
diagrams, and actions.
Helpful tip! – Encourage math talk at home! Talk about
numbers, identify or elaborate on scenarios where math is
involved. Math knowledge and number sense comes from
everyday experiences. Encourage your children to explain their
thinking.
Number
Talks
Number talks (or "math talks") are
short 5 – 15 minute discussions
between teacher and students
about how to solve a
particular mental math problem.
The focus is not on the correct
answer, but on all the possible
methods of finding the answer.
Students communicate their
thinking and share their strategies
when presenting a solution. The
great thing about number talks is
that students can learn from and
practice other students’ strategies
as they build their fact fluency.
How to help? – Have your child
practice mentally solving
computations and explain their
thinking. Expect to hear many
different strategies, not just
traditional algorithms.
10 “What” Questions to
develop a Growth Mindset in
Children
1. What did you do today that
made you think hard?
2. What happened today that
made you keep going?
3. What can you learn from
this?
4. What mistake did you make
that taught you something?
5. What did you try hard at
today?
6. What strategy are you going
to try now?
7. What will you do to
challenge yourself today?
8. What will you do to improve
your work?
9. What will you do to improve
you talent?
10. What will you do to solve
this problem?
Math Vocabulary
Fact Fluency
What is fact fluency?
It is NOT the memorization of facts.
It is the ability to recall and compute:
 Accurately – getting a right answer
 Efficiently – ability to choose an appropriate, quick strategy to
compute (i.e. one/two more or less, making a 10, finding
landmark/friendly numbers, doubling, halving etc.)
 Flexibly – ability to use number relationships with ease (decomposing
numbers into parts and wholes)
Sunnyside Tigers
know their math!!
“Symphony Star” students have
been working hard and
persevering through their grade
level Symphony Math stages.
Students and
staff have been
exploring
growth and
fixed mindsets.
The 100th day
of school is
approaching!
Students in
Kindergarten
and Grade 1
are working
on collecting
sets of 100.
Grade 4
students learned
what it means to
be growthminded and
came up with
their own
personal
mantras to keep
developing a
growth mindset!
Change your words, change your
Grade 2
students are
identifying
coins and
using their
skip counting
strategies to
count money
and solve
problems.
MINDSET!
Grade 1 is exploring measurement using non-standard and standard units.