1. Connecting math to real world examples Helping your child see that math, and numbers, are everywhere—the grocery store, in the house. Notice how the numbers on a clock go up by 5s, and help them countdown when waiting for an important event. Math is everywhere! 2. Playing games Board games and card games develop numeracy and literacy skills. Through playing these games they are practicing concepts, while having fun and connecting. Introduce them to some of your favourite games from your childhood, and have fun playing! 3. Create music while practicing math skills Some research suggests that music activates the same areas of the brain that people use while solving spatial-temporal reasoning problems. Playing music, and listening to music can help students stimulate the different hemispheres in the brain and complete complex mathematical problems. https://www.brainbalancecenters.com/blog/correlation-between-math-and-music-ability
Educating Teachers
Teachers need more feedback in order to improve their teaching. As teachers we are constantly giving feedback to students in order to support their learning, so why don’t we do the same to other teachers? Being observed during a practicum is typical, and can happen multiple times a week, but why stop it once you have gotten your teaching certificate? The ability to have a coach, a mentor, at the beginning of a teaching career is a wonderful thing. I’ve been fortunate to be at a school where the average seniority is just over 20 years (it also the first full year that this school will be open!), and the staff has been amazing to learn from and to have as mentors. As a TOC with these teachers, I’ve been able to reflect with them and have feedback through these discussions. In the district that I work in, contract teachers are supposed to be evaluated by their administration 2-3 times during the year—but I know many teachers in their first years of teaching that have yet to have one. Partly due to principals/ administration having to cancel planned observations when something else comes up and because of the pandemic. Receiving feedback from admin is important, but I can also see how it may be nerve-wracking for some teachers. I wonder if it would be beneficial for specialists in certain areas of the curriculum to observe teachers in certain lessons. I question how surveys would work in the early years, with students who may not be able to read the questions asked. Will the teacher (who the students are reflecting on) ask and help students on it, or will someone else come in to conduct it? If you are videotaping a lesson, what would happen to students that are unable to be on camera during this time?
What are ways that teachers can collaborate with each other? What are ways that teachers can learn and observe each other? Can this happen in a productive and caring environment?
Click the link below to download a poster of how students can be supported!