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Disrupt Tracking in Math Classrooms
We are sorting, separating, and segregating students in the name of support services and differentiation in our education systems. Just consider all the ways students have been sorted into some version of “low, middle, and high” groups this school year.
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Free Math Intervention Resources for Educators & Specialists
Math intervention is a constant topic for many of us in preK-12 education. As an organization committed to supporting math pedagogy so all students can learn math, All Learners Network (ALN) frequently strategizes with districts and schools on how to approach math intervention. We know that for many educators and administrators, the concern for our most vulnerable students is a persistent worry. We get it - we share that worry. Those students are a huge reason we do what we do.
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Countering Teaching Through Telling with 4 Inclusive Math Instruction Strategies
Picture this - a teacher stands at the front of the room. Their back is to you and they are writing an addition problem on the board: 24 + 37. They tell you to do what they are doing. “First, we line up the tens, then we line up the ones.” You copy down the numbers, the symbols, the formula. You write what they write. You do what they do. The day ends and you can do what they do - but you have not developed your mathematical understanding. You have not flexed your own problem-solving muscles. When you are asked to show your thinking or explain your answer - you’re silent. You learned to copy, …
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Why does high school math need a makeover?
There is no shortage of international studies to cast doubt on the effectiveness of American math instruction. Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) are two studies frequently referenced when discussing math disparities. These assessments warn us that the number of students who are proficient with math in the U.S. is low, especially when compared with other industrial countries like Japan, South Korea, and Finland. What’s going on?
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Why Should ALL Math Blocks Include Launch?
At All Learners Network (ALN), we start every balanced math block with Launch. Launch is typically about 5-15 minutes, depending on your time and schedule, and focuses on building number sense, reasoning, community and productive math discourse. Students gather as a whole class to engage in a number sense routine, with time to think independently as well as share their ideas with their classmates.
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Making Math Lessons More Inclusive: ALN Problem Introduction Protocol
What if there was a way to get students more comfortable sharing ideas during a math lesson? What if there was a way to reduce the amount of “I don’t knows” during a math lesson?
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Unpacking Belonging in Math Class
Why is belonging in math class so important? Feeling a sense of belonging is a vehicle to engagement. Engagement promotes both learning and empowerment as an expert learner. At All Learners Network (ALN), we believe in opening the doors to all learners, especially those who have historically struggled to learn math in traditional instructional design. Inclusion means all students are considered when designing instruction and providing access to grade level mathematics. Maslow (1943) posits five sets of goals, or basic needs, which are related to each other and are arranged in a hierarchy of im …
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Why do the High Leverage Concepts (HLCs) focus on one skill?
This blog post pulls from chapter three of our book, Teaching Math for All Learners: Teaching educators to use effective strategies to help all children learn math.
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Strengthen Resilience with Math Anxiety
You hear the chime. Chairs scrape across the floor. You see your classmates walk towards the meeting space and find a spot on the rug. Your teacher gets out the easel markers and some linking cubes. It is time to start math. What is happening in your body right now? Many students are coming into schools with symptoms of anxiety that are preventing them from engaging in their learning. Anxiety is associated with feelings of panic, tension and helplessness. Anxiety affects the brain's working memory. Some students experience symptoms of anxiety only when they are faced with a math task. Why?
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