#ClassroomMath #prompt11

The math teachers in our middle school generally have the same homework policy. Homework will be given Monday through Thursday, with no new homework given for the weekend. The homework questions are carefully selected, they are not repetitive, and they often include a question or two from previous units to help prevent “forgetfulness”. They contain a mix of easier and more thought provoking questions, and there are usually no more than 7 questions. Homework is checked for completion, but not marked. Incomplete homework from the previous night must still be completed, and structures are put in place for students that are “frequent forgetters”. We don’t care if students do homework alone, with peers, with family members, or with tutors. We just want them practicing concepts learned. Our middle school students know this as a general expectation for the math program, no matter which grade or which teacher, thus providing consistency in their expected workload.

@samjshah @jreulbach #ClassroomMath #prompt11 #MTBoS #MathEd #MathsEd
To start off my school year, I talk with students about my important messages for success. [My setting is mostly 1-on-1, but I think these ideas work well for full classrooms also]

1. Bring your "A" game to math
2. Use what you know (when faced w/new problems)
3. Find more than one way to solve (for deeper learning)
4. Show your mathematical thinking (rebrand of "show your work")
5. Know your resources for help
6. Persevere even when it gets hard

I wrote about all this in a past blog post "Setting the Stage" https://karendcampe.wordpress.com/2016/09/23/setting-the-stage/

I think this falls under #prompt11 :)

I have so many blog posts I need to write, but this one is the one that got written... LOL

Setting Class Norms https://statteacher.blogspot.com/2023/08/setting-class-norms.html

#mtbos #iteachmath #classroommath

#ClassroomMath #prompt11

I have a set of folders I use in each class... I keep kids in the same groups for a number of weeks. So I put all handouts in these folders before class.

I also throw each folder on a different set of desks each day -- so kids are sitting in a different location in the classroom each day. (They come in and look for their folder.)

I also have a "set of tools for kids to use" bucket that I started when I was teaching geometry, but then I started using it for all of my classes. Many days we don't use it, but it's SO useful when we need colored pencils or a protractor or whatever!

https://samjshah.com/2015/02/27/two-organizational-things-i-do/

#ClassRoomMath #prompt11 When I first started teaching, I was spending a lot of time sorting papers and recording grades. On thing that helped a great deal was to have student papers in alphabetic order from the start. When students turn in tests or quizzes or anything that eventually needs sorting, I have students place their papers according to their last name in a alpha sorting device like this one.

#ClassroomMath #prompt11

Something that I've been iterating on in my classes for almost a decade is a reflection journal. In its current form, students complete a slide with sentence stems in a Google slideshow approximately every 3 weeks. They have to read over their previous slide and look over any grades and feedback they've received since then, then discuss progress made since the last time they reflected towards their goals in the class and decide on next steps or a new goal. They can also share about things going on in their life, feedback for me, or something they want their parents to know or help them with. I write a short response in the same slide and then send a copy of the slide to the student and their parents/guardians.

This has been hugely helpful in getting students to read and process my feedback, plan and work towards goals, build our relationship, and bring parents/guardians into the loop. It also allows me to catch students who might otherwise fall through the cracks since I look over my gradebook too to see if I want to call out anything specific in my responses. It takes 5 - 10 min of class time every 3 or so weeks, but has made a big difference to my teaching.

#ClassroomMath #prompt11

To preface this post, it’s important to recognize that *every school is different.* One teacher might have 35 kids in a class and another might have 12. One might have a lot of autonomy while another has to abide by prescriptive curricula. One might have teacher colleagues or one might be teaching alone. That being said:

I’m wondering if there are any structures or systems you set up in your classes… that you find helpful for you or for the kids.

It can be about homework, about assessments, about the way you start every class, about exit tickets, about reviewing old material, about practicing math to gain fluency, about test corrections, about groupwork, about taking attendance, about WHATEVER!

Tag you post with #ClassroomMath, and #prompt11

[If you're wondering what these prompts are about: https://samjshah.com/2023/07/04/lets-get-mathstodoning-together/]