The components of math workshop
Can you tell that we like the "workshop" model? :) Just like reading and writing, there is a mini lesson for math where I introduce a new math skill or work on getting to know numbers through number talks. During these mini-lessons students are often participating in solving problems, practicing verbalizing their thinking in front of the class, and sharing with their partner their math strategy. During independent practice, students are sent off to play math games to practice their math skills. Right now, we are working on an online program called ST (Spacial Temporal) math or as the kids like to call it, JiJi math.
- Building number sense through number talksWe have been looking at "quick images" together in stations and as a whole class to help us think and talk about numbers. A quick image or a number talk is an activity where students are practicing the skill of subitzing. That's a fancy word for being able to see a small amount of objects and know how many there are without counting. A series of dots is flashed at them for about 1-3 sec. and their brain examines the dots and internalizes the number based on some grouping strategy. Once we have seen the image, it is time to share what we saw. One at a time, they drew their strategy or what they saw while others listened. We started by looking at a variety of different ways to see the numbers 1-5. This activity is not only a wonderful way for students to build number sense, but also a way for them to learn how to talk about numbers, share their strategies, listen to others strategies, modify their strategy and understand another way of thinking. | - Math in Focus CurriculumThis curriculum was adopted by Seattle Public Schools last year. It follows the "singapore" method of instruction and focuses on building students number sense in K. In our classroom, these lessons are used alongside others from the Engage NY curriculum and assessments from Howard County math in order to provide our students with a diverse range of math exposure and to meet all the Common Core state standards for kindergarten mathematics. Students work through the workbook pages from math in focus that attend to number writing, counting, and basic math skills. These workbook pages are a great way to practice some of those basic skills that are often assumed that students know. |
- Ji Ji Math
ST math isSpacial-Temporal (ST) Math account where students are not provided any verbal language to help them solve a problem. Their goal is to move JiJi (the penguin) across the screen, but there are many obstacles/challenges in his way. Students work through each problem by looking at the screen, thinking about what JiJi needs to do to get across, trying out a strategy, and trying out new strategies until they are successful. I really like this program because it teaching students perseverance and enhances their problem solving skills. The introduction to ST math includes a password training, requiring each student to learn his or her individual 8 picture password. The students did an amazing job learning their password and are continuing to practice it daily. After successfully "playing" on the program for a little while, ST Math will add 5 additional pictures to your student's password. Once they have this 13 picture password, they can use ST Math at home. See the link below for more information about how your child can access his or her ST Math account at home. Teachers are facilitating students understanding of the learning while they are using the program in class. Please limit your students time on ST math at home to 20minutes per week to allow for as much in class guided practice as possible.
| Overview videoKindergarten standards for ST Math
Want to try Ji Ji math for yourself? |