.png?width=2000&height=675&name=2023%20ALN_standard-red%20(3).png "All Learners Network logo")
David’s Math Class: A Story of Inclusion
Often, when we talk about differentiation and inclusion, the responsibility is put upon the teacher to create, provide, and derive the means for low floor/high ceiling tasks (with multiple entry points) so all students may access the learning activity. I had the rare pleasure of experiencing a moment when a teacher let the students in her class, inspired by one typically marginalized student, take the lead in creating one of the most inclusive math classes I have had the privilege of experiencing. What follows is a true story:
Differentiation - What Is It?
What is differentiation and where can it be applied? A differentiated classroom is facilitated by an educator's timely and ongoing response to student needs. Educators target and implement strategies and tools that provide access and inclusion and promote student engagement, independence and growth with content, process and products. The learning environment and a balanced math block provide the structures and opportunities for all students to receive the support and just right instruction they need to achieve high levels of success. Differentiated instruction can be applied to 4 key areas of …
Perseverance and Growth Mindset
No matter how many years of experience we’ve logged as educators, we all have to put in the work at the beginning of a new school year to build our classroom culture. This always starts with student relationships.
Why Math Menu Matters Even More Right Now
Published: Fall 2020 This school year has so many of us feeling like our first year teacher-selves, struggling with the work and effort that is required when you’re learning how to do something new. It feels like we are facing more obstacles than solutions and more don’ts than do’s. It has brought us face to face with so many gaps, struggles, emotions, hardships, and inequities. As teachers who are on a mission to ensure all means all in our school buildings, we confront these struggles on a daily basis as we dive into the complex work of building trusting relationships with our students to he …
Ask a Smaller Question
I just finished working with a large group of teachers in Montpelier. They were inquisitive and eager. In the exit slips, several participants asked for more information about using questions to teach. This post is a response to these requests for more. I tell everyone who will listen that the two most important elements of effective math instruction are: The learner must do the work. And What the students have to say to each other is more important than what you have to say to them. My goal in telling teachers this is to get them to have students make personal meaning of important concepts. I …
Finding Math Outside
Teaching during a global pandemic has brought about many changes and some of those have been good things that have moved teaching, learning and student engagement forward in a positive way. One change I hope sticks around is getting kids outside more frequently. What started as getting kids outside for a mask break has become an opportunity to engage kids in the mathematics of the world around us. When we get kids outside, we bring real life mathematics to them in an engaging and exciting way. I recently went on a longer outdoor adventure with a large group of kids who are in kindergarten and …
