This month's article discusses "Avoiding the Ineffective Keyword Strategy." All of our schools should be employing a consistently modeled problem solving process like VEPS (visualize, write out an equation and procedure and solve)- Auburn Created, RDW (read, draw, write)- Engage NY, or EPSC (Explore, Plan, Solve, Check )- Big Ideas. The teaching of this process should be deeply rooted in sense making as described by Standards for Mathematical Practice 1. As our article for this month states, "A keywords strategy does not necessitate any attempt to make sense of the actual problem presented..."

I'll be presenting on this topic and how we can teach students to focus on sense making even during distance learning using tools like Jamboard, Desmos and Flipgrid at our upcoming Winter Training Series for Elementary staff January 25th through February 8th. I can't wait to "see" you all there.

December Reading : Avoiding the Ineffective Keyword Strategy. Karp, K.S., Bush,S.B., & Dougherty, B.J.,NCTM: Teaching Children Mathematics, May 2019.