Preparing elementary teachers to teach math can be daunting. Most noteworthy, is the vast amount of content and the little amount of time to teach. But does it matter what happens in a math methods classroom? In Episode 1707 of the Math Ed Podcast, Sam Otten (@ottensam)talks with math teacher Read more…
Sometimes I am called an optimist, an idealist, or just disconnected with reality. Usually a comment like that emerges after I “confess” I have never given a test or quiz, yet I have been a teacher/teacher educator for 15 years. Instead I like to give “learning celebrations” (a term I Read more…
Why go to Haiti? That is the question I heard both leading into and following our service trip to Haiti? Why did The Orchard Oxford send a team of ten people to Camp Mary, back to the same community we visited last year. Why? It is a good question. Let me Read more…
Formative assessment a process of gathering evidence within the stream of instruction in order to inform teaching and learning (Black, Harrison et al., 2004). To be considered formative, the evidence must be “elicited, interpreted, and used by both teachers and learners” (Wiliam, 2011, p. 43) From the Joint Position Paper Read more…
The Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators met in Orlando this week which provides the opportunity for fellow teachers of teachers of mathematics to discuss how to improve the field of mathematics teacher preparation. Sounds like a niche field but the importance of preparing teachers to teach mathematics, a subject which is directly connected to Read more…
The theme of this years meeting of the Psychology of Mathematics Education- North America Chapter is Sin Fronteras: Questioning Borders in Mathematics Education. The purpose of a conference is to grow as a professional and one thing I can do through the magic of the internet is share what I Read more…
The Orchard Oxford is headed back to Camp Marie, Haiti! Again we are partnering with 410 Bridge to connect with our neighbors in Camp Marie. Last spring a team of 15 was able to live, learn, and pray with the people of Camp Marie and we are excited to return Read more…
Do you tutor? It is a common question someone who has a career centered on math may hear from time to time. When I hear the question I don’t want to turn someone away without giving them some way of obtaining what they need…help with developing their relationship with Read more…
Complex instruction. Great stuff with an intimidating name…at least when I first heard it. Complex instruction is a highly structured form of group work that is especially useful in mathematics classes. The purpose of complex instruction is to balance participation within groups. I can think about those times when I Read more…
The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics are holding their annual meeting in San Francisco this week. It is an exciting time where mathematics teachers are coming to learn about how best to serve their students in the classroom. This year I was invited to talk in the New Teacher Read more…