The beginning of the school year may have you wondering how to connect academic subjects and/or VESOLs to make learning engaging for your students. Thematic Instruction is a teaching strategy which organizes curriculum and instruction around a central theme. It allows students to engage in high interest topics while learning academic and communication skills. Students… Read More Can You Make the Connections?
Unwind and Upgrade: Enjoy Summer Math Professional Learning from Anywhere
While relaxing and rejuvenating this summer, you can also learn mathematics strategies from wherever you are! Below are a few professional learning opportunities that you may want to explore. Summer Math Professional Learning Opportunities Amplify Desmos Math Free Courses Amplify Desmos offers several free on-demand courses. Course titles include: Course 1: Math Storytelling: The Wisdom… Read More Unwind and Upgrade: Enjoy Summer Math Professional Learning from Anywhere
Try These VESOL Lesson Plans that Promote Cross-Content Instruction
If you use the Virginia Essentialized Standards of Learning (VESOL) in your daily instruction, then it is likely that you are tasked with teaching multiple content areas to your class. Perhaps you are responsible for teaching Reading, Writing, Math, Science, and Social Studies to your students. Maybe you are part of a teaching team, where… Read More Try These VESOL Lesson Plans that Promote Cross-Content Instruction
Using Children’s Literature to Mathematize
The Preparing Young Children for School Educator’s Practice Guide (Burchinal et al., 2022) identifies two evidence-based math recommendations: Provide intentional instruction to build children’s understanding of mathematical ideas and skills. Engage children in conversations about mathematical ideas and support them in using mathematical language. Using children’s literature to mathematize is a method that can be… Read More Using Children’s Literature to Mathematize
New VESOL Mathematics Resources Available!
Implementation of the 2021 Mathematics Virginia Essentialized Standards of Learning (VESOLs) has heightened the need for more mathematics resources that can be used by teachers who utilize these standards. Guidance is needed to answer questions such as: 1) What background knowledge is needed in order to effectively teach each math concept? 2) What should students… Read More New VESOL Mathematics Resources Available!
Promoting a Math-Positive School Culture
The beginning of a new school year is a great time to reflect upon practices in your school. Our attitudes about math as teachers and school leaders can have a tremendous impact on our students’ attitudes and views about learning mathematics. Below are two ways that a math-positive culture can be promoted at your school…. Read More Promoting a Math-Positive School Culture
Doing What Works: Five Evidence-Based Strategies to Specially Design Mathematics Instruction
When considering instructional activities for mathematics, teachers should focus on strategies that have evidence to support their effectiveness. The Virginia Department of Education, building on the work of the Institute for Education Sciences (IES), has identified five evidence-based strategies to specially-design mathematics instruction: 1. Explicit Instruction 2. Formal Mathematical Language 3. Concrete, Representational, and Abstract… Read More Doing What Works: Five Evidence-Based Strategies to Specially Design Mathematics Instruction
