As math teachers, we work really hard to figure out what students know. We confirm where we are trying to take them by regularly consulting our curriculum guides. Then we use backwards design to make our plans to move everyone from their current understanding toward our learning goals. Carefully selecting and creating problems is aContinue reading “Keeping it real . . .”
Author Archives: JoAnn Sandford
Students as Assessment Partners
Stacking Dice Assessment is tricky. As teachers, assessment serves many purposes.But how do students view assessment? Do they see it as an opportunity to show what they know? Is it a snapshot in time with room for growth and development? Is assessment just a number or letter on a page? Do students know what theseContinue reading “Students as Assessment Partners”
Lessons in Laundry
Yesterday, I got beat. Beat up? Beat down? Beat.My opponent? A fitted sheet. Well actually four fitted sheets. The intimidation started days before. Both of my girls had attended a week-long sleep-away camp and came home with a pair of fitted sheets each. I washed and dried them right away. That was the easy part. ThenContinue reading “Lessons in Laundry”
Smooth Operator
I have a song stuck in my head, and soon you will too. Smooth Operator by Sade. It’s not a new song, it was released back in the eighties, but it’s a good one. It’s the one I often hum to myself when I’ve had, or witnessed, an especially awesome math moment. This began aContinue reading “Smooth Operator”
My Original Aha Moment…
I remember vividly, my first Aha! moment as an educator. It came early in my career as a classroom teacher. At that point, I had the blind confidence of youth and believed I pretty much knew all there was to know about the teaching of mathematics. After all, I had aced math all through school.Continue reading “My Original Aha Moment…”
Love takes time
I’m still beaming from Valentine’s Day – and not just because of the cards and chocolates from my wonderful family and friends. My Valentine’s Day this year was made extra sweet by seeing one of my favorite activities in action, A Piece of My Heart. On the 13th, I shared this activity on Twitter andContinue reading “Love takes time”
All Ten – a great starter for your math class
Recently I have had the pleasure of working with a new teacher. Oh I remember those days! The excitement of starting a new job…the desire to be great. The overwhelming things-to-do list and anxiety that results when well-meaning veterans overshare tips, to-dos, and resources. If new teachers are still anything like I was at theContinue reading “All Ten – a great starter for your math class”
As close as it gets
I’ve never been great at estimating…I can admit it.I remember my Dad asking typical Dad stuff like, “How many kids were at the dance?” and I would literally have no idea. Over the years, I have noticed this weakness in my math game and wondered a lot about what experiences are needed to feel goodContinue reading “As close as it gets”
First Week Frenzy
Preparing for that first week of school is no small task. There are so many things to consider!As teachers, we want all students to feel safe, welcome and valued. We want to set the tone for how our classes will operate, and work to build a community of learners that collaborate, create, and problem solve. Continue reading “First Week Frenzy”
Battling Butterflies
In just a few days I’ll be back to school. Butterflies? You betcha!Usually this is a busy, fun and exciting time for me…usually. As a classroom teacher, I had my process. That process often began August 1st when the class lists became live in Powerschool and I could access my schedule. I’d look hopefully forContinue reading “Battling Butterflies”
JoAnn Sandford Math 