The Math Workshop is a busy and sometimes noisy time of day in first grade. It is my job to create a math environment where your children engage in activities that develop an understanding of and gain insight into mathematical patterns through the use of concrete materials. Children are surrounded with a variety of challenging math experiences which enable them to internalize concepts within the context of real experiences. The Math Workshop has four key parts:
Large and Small Group Mini-Lessons: These are the formal lessons used to teach a new concept. Large group lessons teach curriculum specific to first grade. Small group mini-lessons address the needs of specific children. Sometimes there is a need to reteach a concept. There are often times when there is a need to challenge a group of students.
Number Talks: This time of our math block allows us to reveal understanding and misunderstanding, supports robust learning by boosting memory and allows students to practice solving mental math using many different strategies.
Math Discussions: Support deeper reasoning, supports language development and develops greater social skills.
Experience and Exposure: Experience and Exposure allows children time to investigate, discover, seek patterns, and draw conclusions. It allows them to deepen their understanding of mathematical concepts in a developmentally appropriate way. Your child may tell you they're playing...and indeed they are. Their greatest learning takes place through play.
During our Math workshop, lessons are designed to foster 8 specific problem solving behaviors and practices related to math:
Students in first grade will be provided specific instruction on the following:
Large and Small Group Mini-Lessons: These are the formal lessons used to teach a new concept. Large group lessons teach curriculum specific to first grade. Small group mini-lessons address the needs of specific children. Sometimes there is a need to reteach a concept. There are often times when there is a need to challenge a group of students.
Number Talks: This time of our math block allows us to reveal understanding and misunderstanding, supports robust learning by boosting memory and allows students to practice solving mental math using many different strategies.
Math Discussions: Support deeper reasoning, supports language development and develops greater social skills.
Experience and Exposure: Experience and Exposure allows children time to investigate, discover, seek patterns, and draw conclusions. It allows them to deepen their understanding of mathematical concepts in a developmentally appropriate way. Your child may tell you they're playing...and indeed they are. Their greatest learning takes place through play.
During our Math workshop, lessons are designed to foster 8 specific problem solving behaviors and practices related to math:
- I can solve problems without giving up.
- I can think about numbers in many ways.
- I can explain my thinking and try to understand others.
- I can show my work in many ways.
- I can use math tools and tell why I chose them.
- I can work carefully and check my work.
- I can use what I know to solve new problems.
- I can solve problems be looking for rules and patterns.
Students in first grade will be provided specific instruction on the following:
- Building number patterns and meaning
- Addition and subtraction fact strategies
- Geometry
- Place value understanding
- Using place value to add and subtract
- Measurement