Talk Moves

I haven't put on any more games, sorry! But I am just quickly updating this because I tried the talk moves today. And I have them displayed so that I can see them, and remember to use them.
We have done some open ended problem solving just to get used to our groups, and so today I tried out a very similar problem to the one we did as a staff. It was very interesting. Even though we had practised the strategy I thought they would use (adding to each side of the subtraction problem to make tidy numbers) not one child remembered it, or used it. And we had a variety of answers, many of which were wrong. The children really enjoyed using the question cards Pam gave me to prompt questioning, and there was some fabulous discussion happening in my class.
In the end, I reminded a child about the strategy (he was using an algorithm to solve the problem as that's what his mum uses, and he admitted that he would have used tidy numbers as a first option but wanted to try a different way) and he happily explained this strategy to the class. Then we tried the ice block stick name thing and that worked well too. I will just put on a few photos as I am distracted by staff meeting! And I will put some more games on soon too!

The Question was 73 - 38...

Standard algorithms produced the correct answer, and the other child separated tens and ones, and got a different answer.

This group enjoyed the discussion, but all came up with the wrong answers!

Even the beans didn't help these two, although it did help me to see where they are going wrong, and what they are thinking.

73 beans...

Jack explains, I even revoiced, and then used the sticks to choose a child to repeat!

And now I have missed an important piece of info at staff meeting and I have to share and I haven't been listening!

So Far I...

So far I haven't done much for numeracy, but we had camp last week and I didn't get the opportunity to try out some of the things we have learnt after our first professional development session with Dianne. I admit that I haven't read the info that we were given properly yet either, but planning for camp was my priority.
But I have done a couple of things. I will post photos as evidence!

Problem solving groups organised as mixed ability (within my numeracy class) and displayed on the wall.

The idea to use name sticks rather than putting hands up appealed to me. I made one for each child.

I used a Stanley knife to cut down a glowstick container that I saved from camp. These containers are good and strong and have a lid at each end.

And then I found some tape to decorate the container with, which was good because I was going to paint it but I didn't have time to wait for the paint to dry!

I tried out the pulling random names from the container and it worked extremely well so I am really happy about that. I also explained how it would work, so the children understand and won't get all stressed out about their names being pulled out. They had time to talk to the others in their groups
too. And I have copied off lovely bright copies of Math Talk Moves which I am thinking of laminating so they don't get ruined. I probably need the holidays to focus and get my head around it all, the problem solving stuff and setting it all up, but I will get there, and next term I should have it all underway. I best go home and properly read the article we were given now!

Maths in Room 7

I just have to do this so I have things underway. It seems weird not doing Mantle of the Expert updates this year, especially since we will continue to use this approach. I will probably put Mantle stuff in here anyway.
I figured maybe it would be a good idea to put some of my favourite warm up games on my blog, so each week I shall try to remember to do this, and I guess with all the Maths PD we will get this year, I will have a bunch more to add to my list.
My first and most favourite best maths game is Cross Out the Singles.
A 3x3 grid is drawn in maths books or scrap paper, and I always do a copy on the board. Children take turns rolling a die and call out the number rolled. Each roll is recorded in any box on the grid. At the end of 9 rolls, numbers are added as rows, columns and both diagonals. Any total that comes up once is crossed out, any that come up more than once are kept and these are all added together. The person with the highest score wins... and it is never me, even though I try!
The best thing about this game is that as the year progresses, I add rules to the number rolled, eg. add 4, or add 3  and then multiply by 2. This way we start dealing with larger numbers, we can practise tables at the same time, and by the end of the year I can throw in a few decimals just for fun!
I took photos today and I hope my instructions are clear. I feel like I am waffling already. But it is a good game because it can be adapted, and once the kids know the rules, we do adapt it, and they can choose the rule, and they love calling out the answer. Someone will roll 5, I will say "plus 3," they yell out, "8!" I say, "times 4," and they hopefully yell, "32!" It's not really yelling, but if they call out all together then they feel less put on the spot and if they aren't sure then no one else notices they haven't answered. Anyway, here are the photos, and a couple of symmetry things and also out sticky numbers which we use for other games.

Symmetry

Symmetry skeleton names

Sticky numbers that the children coloured

Today's game, the rule was +4, x3

The game with no rule

Figuring out how to add the totals quickly

Sharing ideas on the best way to work it out.

And yes, they choose to sit on the floor!