Write On! - Elaboration Ideas

Looking for ideas to help your students take their writing to the next level with elaboration? Here are 3 quick strategies to support students in expanding their ideas. 

Get Students Talking Math

How do we encourage mathematical discourse? Many students naturally enjoy talking, but how do we get them talking math?

Fostering math talk is important. Sometimes students benefit from scaffolding or visual reminders. Question stems or prompts can be used as a scaffold until students can engage in math talk naturally. They also can be used to encourage conversations to go more deeply.

Resource Ideas to Use for Small Group Instruction and Centers in the Math Classroom

After recently doing a session with some teachers on guided math, one area that is of interest is resources. Questions I often hear are: What do I use for students during small group instruction? What resources do I use for those students I am not working with? Let me share a view that might work for you. I included links below to some sites you might find beneficial for your students.

Before diving into new resources take a look at the curricular tools your district already supports. There may be an overlooked gem, such as a center activity, game, tech tool, or set of manipulatives that students can use to grapple with, explore, and strengthen their skills as mathematicians. These might not fit into your regular instruction routine, but could work well during small group or independent work time. Think about how you might repurpose what you already have to help students revisit and reinforce key skills. 

Technology sites such as MobyMax, Khan Academy, Johnnie's Math Page, and Mr. Anker Tests are some resources that can be used to scaffold student learning while providing independence, differentiation, and feedback. 

Greg Tang Math is another site that offers games promoting number sense, strategic thinking, and mental math fluency. These activities can be a valuable supplement to your classroom curriculum.

Didax Virtual Manipulatives is a free online tool teachers can use to model and explore math strategies in a visual way.

An additional resource that can be used to extend standards includes Illustrative Math.

These are just a few of the go-to resources when something is needed in a pinch to develop learning experiences for students in small groups.

Hope you find something that might help your mathematicians.