Mrs. Deyoung

                                                                                      Math class structure  2023-2-24

According to Linkedin, the top five skills that employers look for are leadership, communication, problem-solving, work ethic, and teamwork.  We will develop each of these through our class structure: The class model is based on the book "Building   Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics" by Peter Liljedahl.

Here are some things mathematicians do...

Notice Details

Explain Their Thinking

Persevere (Keep Trying)

Collaborate with Others

Think Creatively

Ask Questions

Take Risks

Communicate

Take Their Time

Draw Representations

Look for Patterns

Are Curious

• Most days we will be working in small groups on whiteboards around the room.  We will have randomized groups every day. The children pick a card and that's the group for the day. No more "you are picking favorites"  Children tackle cooperative learning problems so they can see working in a group is much better than working alone.

• After we debrief the problem(s) as a class, time will be given for notes and practice problems to  “check your understanding.” Each lesson is thin sliced so students  can understand the basic skill before moving on. 

• I will often ask students to explain their thinking or reasoning (verbally or written) to enhance their communications skills.

• In order to promote problem-solving skills and teamwork, I may not directly answer every student question. However, this does not mean students won’t be supported. For instance, I will often provide a question or suggestion to help a group move forward or provide an extension for students that are ready for more. 

• Homework is to review notes to their future self. This is how they will check their understanding. (CYU) They will write questions, underline notes, or circle something that they might not have understood during the class period. 

• IXL and simple solutions are available for review work. The help section in the back of the book and the lessons in IXL reteach what was explained during the day. 

• Parents  please check your child's binder and ask them to explain how they take notes to their future self and to explain what they learned that day. It will reinforce the concept and they will be able to see if they truly understand it. 

********Not all children will be able to master the most difficult questions. That's ok. All students learn at different paces.