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General Interest Math and Literature Numerical Reasoning Problem Solving

One Children’s Book . . . Different Grade Levels

In a previous blog, I described a lesson I taught to second graders using the wonderful children’s book One Is a Snail, Ten Is a Crab. At John Muir Elementary School in San Francisco, I observed two other lessons using the same book, one in Kindergarten and the other in fourth grade. The lessons were a joy to observe, and I feel that my own teaching repertoire has now been enhanced.

Marilyn BurnsDecember 8, 2015

General Interest Math and Literature Number and Operations Numerical Reasoning

The Equal Sign: What It Really Means

Students begin learning about the equal sign in the early grades, and Quack and Count by Keith Baker is a terrific children’s book for helping with this in kindergarten and grade 1. It’s one of my favorite children’s books for teaching math. (Yes, yes, I know I have lots of favorites.) Here I describe the lesson I taught and what occurred.

Marilyn BurnsNovember 13, 2015

Data General Interest Math and Literature Number and Operations Numerical Reasoning Problem Solving

Chrysanthemum—An Oldie but Goodie

Are you interested in a lesson that combines a wonderful children’s book with activities that engage students with organizing data and reasoning numerically? Read about how lessons using Chrysanthemum unfolded in two classes.

Marilyn BurnsNovember 10, 2015

Data General Interest Number and Operations Real-World Problems Statistics and Probability

Alphabetical Probability

Read how 7th graders collected and analyzed data about the frequency of letters. They chose sentences, recorded the frequency of letters, and put their data on a class chart. Then we compared the class results to the actual frequencies of letters. Engaging the students in collecting their own data gave them an authentic math experience, not rigged by me in any way.

Marilyn BurnsOctober 18, 2015

Games General Interest Number and Operations Numerical Reasoning Problem Solving Videos

Can You KenKen?

I’ve taught students in grade 2 through middle school how to solve KenKen puzzles. If you’ve never solved KenKen puzzles yourself, or haven't engaged your students with them, read about how I’ve introduced them in the classroom. But be warned: KenKen puzzles can be addictive.

Marilyn BurnsOctober 1, 2015

General Interest Number and Operations Numerical Reasoning Problem Solving

Postscript about the Number Eleven

A comment posted on my previous blog was a Yikes! experience for me. The comment was about one of the ways to make 11 that I included in the book I created for my grandson’s birthday. The comment was a wonderful reminder about how arithmetic, algebra, and geometry connect.

Marilyn BurnsSeptember 23, 2015

General Interest Number and Operations Numerical Reasoning Real-World Problems

Eleven Things about the Number Eleven

My grandson Jeffrey just turned 11 and I created a book to celebrate his birthday. Now I’m thinking that making books like this might be a good class project for students. Take a look.

Marilyn BurnsSeptember 21, 2015

General Interest Math and Literature Number and Operations Numerical Reasoning

Using Children’s Literature to Teach Math

In my early years of teaching, children’s books weren’t typically where I looked for help when planning math lessons. But that has changed. I now rely on children’s books regularly for engaging students with math. Here’s an example.

Marilyn BurnsSeptember 9, 2015

General Interest Number and Operations Numerical Reasoning Problem Solving

Helping Students Open Their Minds

Bring an open mind is #1 on a poster of Sara Liebert’s expectations for her fourth grade class. Lynne Zolli used that expectation when introducing a math activity to the students.

Marilyn BurnsAugust 26, 2015

Games General Interest Number and Operations Numerical Reasoning

Four Strikes and You’re Out

Using games has long been standard in my teaching, and for several reasons. Games capture students’ interest and engages them in learning math. They’re ideal when students have extra time. And they’re effective options for the paper-and-pencil practice. Here’s one of my favorites.

Marilyn BurnsAugust 17, 2015

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