Students are given a math challenge on Fridays to show their understanding of a two step math word problem. These can often be challenging because it takes perseverance and attending to precision in order to make sure the problem is not only solved, but students must also explain their process.

They were given on the word problem and an out line of how to create the poster. The poster must include a title, model, pictures, and algorigthm. The title should be creative, but related to the word problem topic. The model and picture seem similar, however the goal of the model is to represent the number using base-10 "sticks (tens)" and "cubes (ones)." The algorightm is our "fancy pants," "super smart," "professor" word for a math sentence.

The students did an excellent job!

Below are their posters with their answers.

Students are encouraged to express themselves in many ways. Sometimes as a adults we assume that they can only do this by writing simple sentences or drawing stick figures. With the technology resources that surround us every day students must be wondering if they are able to do those "adult" computer programs, but no one ever gave them the opportunity to explore.

This week students used a presentation format called Prezi from www.prezi.com. This online program is very similar to a PowerPoint, but much more interactive. I took a course in my master's program that centered around this form of presentation and a lot of my colleagues thought it was too difficult or too elaborate to use. Well after two very basic lessons with our second graders, they took off with this program and created amazing presentations that were better than any I saw in college!

Click the read more button below to see how adaptive and amazing our second
graders can be as they explore this tool of presentation. We will definitely be using this in the future and I know the kids are eager too, as well!

Mathematical Practices are standards that support the Common Core. They do not dictate a specific computational skill, but they emphasize critical thinking skills and applications that allow children to approach any level of difficulty with the appropriate thinking skills needed to solve a mathematical problem. As a district we have focused on a few of these skills. As a teaching professional I found three of these practices are most valuable to the stage of learning our students are at:


CCSS.Math.Practice.MP4 Model with mathematics.
CCSS.Math.Practice.MP5 Use appropriate tools strategically.
CCSS.Math.Practice.MP6 Attend to precision.

To practice these concepts in the classroom we discussed three ways to model with math (a term we are using to combine the three mathematical practices above). When modeling with math students can draw and create math problems. They will draw a math problem by using hand drawn "sticks" (tens) and "cubes" (ones) to show a math sentence. Or they can use actual manipulatives of sticks and cubes to move around the pieces to show a math problem. The third way to model with math is something that is very unique to our school. Students can use the Number Pieces app on their iPad to represent a math sentence. We feel so lucky as a class to be able to model with math in THREE different ways.

To make sure we are modeling, using appropriate tools, and attending to precision we are practicing every day in math centers. Students will use all three tools (drawings, manipulatives, and iPads) to represent one math problem. Currently we are focused on vertical math sentences to "show our work." Students are working towards explaining with words and writing how to use each of the tools to demonstrate a problem, ensuring we are attending to precision. Students understand that "Ms. Cowan only cares about the work and not the answer because if you did your work correctly there is no need for Ms. Cowan to check the answer." Check out the pictures** and video below to see how mathematical practices are being demonstrated by our brilliant second graders!

For more information on Common Core and mathematical practices click here.

To download the Number Pieces app click here.

**Blog will be updated with more iPad pictures...technical difficulties (: