Math is all about using pictures, realia, equations, and words to make sense of problems, persevere in solving them, and use models to explain thinking. Common Core math pushes students to communicate their mathematical reasons and find multiple solutions to problems.

Mathematicians practice estimation in real-world contexts. They use benchmark measurements to infer reasonable measurements. Students learn basic estimation principals such as range, reasonableness, and mean.

Students use graphic organizers to help them organize their mathematical writing. Through the close reading strategy (CUBES), they learn to explain which words in a word problem signal a particular operation. Mathematicians have the choice to use pictures, equations, and/or words to explain their thinking.

I had the privilege of co-leading a professional development with Alisha Zare for our district 4th grade teachers. Teachers investigated supplemental fluency, fraction, estimation, and real-world problem solving activities in stations. Various activities included: Clothesline Math, Problem of the Day, YouCubed math activities, Estimation 180, Ms. Math fraction activity, and rich math tasks (3 Act Math).