How many holes??

So a while back we heard what we thought was a ridiculous debate on the radio.

How many holes are in a straw?

AND.... GO!

Messy math is neat

Although the concept of messy math is one that we often see in preschool and primary levels, I believe that many of the concepts carry over to the junior grades as well. I believe that we all need to have fun while learning, and how better to have fun than to play. 

The idea behind messy math is that children can and will learn from natural materials in the outdoors. In the junior ages, we can estimate how many steps it will take us to cross a bridge, then determine how many steps are in a hundred metres for instance. We can fill a bucket full of dirt and estimate weight and volume, then determine the best ways to figure out how to make precise measurements.

All of our students learn in different ways, and my goal this year is to find out what works for each of your children, and encourage them the best I can.

So, what are we waiting for? Lets. Get. Messy!

Reggio Math

Although the Reggio Emilia approach to math has primarily been used in preschool and primary students, I believe that all students can benefit from inquiry based math. Our students will have access this year to open ended, natural materials both in and out of the classroom, in which to explore and develop their math abilities. 

The Reggio approach has the following as its core values, which I hope to follow when possible in our class. 

The child as an active participant in learning.

The significance of environment

The teacher, parent and child as collaborators in the process of learning

Making learning visible

One way to look at the Reggio approach is that it is one of playful inquiry. We will play with materials, language and ideas, as we work through our math problems. Playful inquiry creates opportunites for deeper engagement with concepts and idea, choice in the ways students may choose to uncover the curriculm, and provides opportunites for making connections and seeking relationships with themselves, each other and ideas. 

If you have any items that may be beneficial to enhancing our classroom learning, I am looking for materials from the lists at the following site please and thank you so much!

https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/53069734/reggio-math-kits-pdf

Math IS fun!

Math.

That word can be so scary for some. I get it. One of my focuses this year is to make math fun; to make math less scary even.

My goal is to challenge your children to complete daily and weekly problems that will expand their thinking. I want to challenge us all to think outside the box, and realize that there is more than one way to solve problems. I believe that we all think differently and can learn from one anothers strategies and techniques. What works for one student may not work for another, and that is amazing! My hope, is that your students will be open minded enough to listen, accept and hopefully try to understand where each of us are coming from in our problem solving.

I would love for you to read this article as it is one that I will be referring to and putting into practice this year as we grow and learn together.

https://www.opencolleges.edu.au/informed/features/develop-a-growth-mindset/

I may refer to many of the 25 ways to develop a growth mindset referred to in this article as we journey together this year.

Welcome to Grade 4

As a new year dawns I want to welcome you all to grade 4.

My hope and plan for this year is for us to be able to grow and learn and laugh together as we explore and expand upon past knowledge while experiencing many new avenues of learning.

This year we will focus on making learning fun. This will be accomplished through experiential learning, weekly and daily challenges, utilizing technology to the best of our abilities, and learning from one another. I want us to make mistakes this year. We can only grow through our mistakes, and those of others.

I'm excited to have you join me on this journey. Let the adventure begin!