The Time Thief

I strongly believe that a math block should be longer than sixty minutes. Think about it for a minute- introducing/discussing a concept/skill (15-20 min), student practice time (15-30 min), and closing/ reflection (15-25 min)- sixty minutes goes quickly. In most cases, teachers cut out the last part thinking it is not as important as the first two parts. I am greedy. I believe all 3 parts are important. Honestly, I feel they are equally important. But when I ask about their math block hear over and over- "I just don't have time." I realize there is not enough time to do everything we want to do, so I propose we beg, borrow and steal time where we can!

One suggestion I make to teachers  I work with is to use their writing time for math. I am not asking the teachers to  teach a new math concept/skill during writing, but to use that time having students writing about math. According for to the book, Classroom Discussions Using math talk to help students learn, for a child to have conceptual knowledge they are able to talk, write and provide examples.  Many upper elementary grades call for students to write a Procedure paper, a.k.a How To's. Usually, students spend time writing how to make a peanut butter & jelly sandwich. My question to teachers is- Why couldn't the student write to explain how they solved a certain problem from? Persuasion is another area are required to learn how to write, why couldn't the students write about why their way to solve a problem is better than another way? Poetry when studying poetry, highlight Haiku's. Haiku's have to be written with a particular pattern, and can be written in a series. Wow, look at the math that just happened there- patterns, series! Journals are all the rage in literacy! Having students respond to their reading by writing a response. It works the same in math! Students responding about their mathematical learning for the day is an impressive tool for both you the teacher and the student. (You can see where students are struggling, excelling, or right on target.)
It's amazing to see how easily you can integrate math into writing. Thus, stealing time to maximize learning!


Other Writing Ideas:
Retelling a story with their spin: example-  One Grain Of Rice: A Mathematical Folktale
Writing their own word/story problems
Pesky Multiplication Poem (to help students remember the facts they are having a hard time remembering) 
Actrosic Poems- students create as a way to help remember certain things:
    * I do not mean: Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally or Daddy, Mommy, Sister, Brother, Rover*
      Students did not create those, they were told those.


Happy Mathing!