Sunday, November 28, 2010
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Link Transfer
The change to my new set of blogs is taking longer than anticipated. I don't want to lose any of the links, but I want to do a better job of sorting them. So it's taking some time.
Soon, hopefully, I'll be unveiling the new blogs. Until then, you can keep using the dwindling resources on this one. I'll keep the links to the major tools until I'm ready to retire this blog.
You might find it helpful to download the new toolbar, see above, so you'll have access to the links regardless of where you are.
Soon, hopefully, I'll be unveiling the new blogs. Until then, you can keep using the dwindling resources on this one. I'll keep the links to the major tools until I'm ready to retire this blog.
You might find it helpful to download the new toolbar, see above, so you'll have access to the links regardless of where you are.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Why Math Fact Fluency?
What is Math Fact Fluency?
SkillsTutor Math Fact Fluency is an on-line instructional and practice aide that helps students achieve automaticity in the basic facts of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Because it is internet-based, students can practice at home or at school and all work is recorded and viewable by the teacher.
Math Fact Fluency is modern, personalized and fully adaptive. Based on students’ actual performance, it provides practice where it helps most. It tracks multiple practice sessions and determines which facts are mastered. A fact is mastered when it is performed correctly and within a certain time threshold multiple times. Reports that provide an overview of each student’s performance on all math facts are handy for Parent Teacher conferences, end-of-quarter reports, etc.
Math Fact Fluency is not intended to teach conceptual understanding of basic math facts. It is a product intended to help students instantly recall basic facts from long-term memory.
Salend (1994) recommended that new math concepts be introduced through everyday situations as opposed to worksheets. With everyday situations as motivators, students are more likely to recognize the importance and relevance of a concept. Carpenter, Fennema, Peterson, Chiang & Loef (1989) further this. Contextualizing instruction can make seemingly mundane computation exercises fascinating to children. In response to this, at the beginning of each lesson is an authentic, “real-world” scenario in which a student would actually use basic math facts.
The Call for Math Fact Fluency
Math Fact Fluency was designed in response to the National Council of Teach ers of Mathematics’ (NCTM) Curriculum Focal Points, which outlines three key skills each student should master at each grade level. In each of grades 1 through 4, the Focal Points define critical skills in all four basic operations, including the ability to instantly recall those basic facts.
The National Math Panel was created in 2006. Supporting much of the research that has existed regarding automaticity of basic facts, the Panel also found that automatic recall of facts is paramount to student success in mathematics:
A focused, coherent progression of mathematics learning, with an emphasis on proficiency with key topics, should become the norm in elementary and middle school mathematics curricula...By the term “proficiency,” the Panel means that students should understand key concepts, achieve automaticity as appropriate (e.g., with addition and related subtraction facts), develop flexible, accurate, and automatic execution of the standard algorithms, and use these competencies to solve problems…
Computational proficiency with whole number operations is dependent on sufficient and appropriate practice to develop automatic recall of addi tion and related subtraction facts, and of multiplication and related division facts.... It also requires a solid understanding of core concepts, such as the commutative, distributive, and associative properties.”
Learning and Memory
The rationale behind our approach to fact memorization is derived from the in formation processing model of the human brain. It is familiar to most people in the concepts of short-term memory (i.e., working memory) and long-term memory.
When first exposed to a new fact, the data is called into working memory. The Oxford Dictionary defines working memory as “temporary storage of information while one is working with it or attending to it.” Working memory has limited storage capacity, with material being retained only as long as it is being consciously practiced.
Conversely, long-term memory is intended to store information for a long pe riod of time. A study by Semb, Ellis & Araujo (1993) showed content studied for four months or eleven months will be well-retained for about one year after the last practice, with most of the content forgotten by end of three or four years without further practice. Bahrick (1984) and Bahrick & Hall (1991) found that if material is studied for three or four years, the information may be retained for as long as 50 years after the last practice. The key component in the long-term retention in the Bahrick study is the additional practice completed by the student.
There are two memory systems in long-term memory: declarative knowledge and procedural knowledge. Declarative knowledge can be thought of as “know ing that,” and procedural knowledge can be thought of as “knowing how.” If a student is asked, “What is 8 x 7,” the difference lies between responding imme diately with “56” (declarative), or thinking “8 groups of 7 items” (procedural). When a student is able to quickly and accurately retrieve the answer to a math fact, the student has a strong declarative knowledge system for that fact.
With Math Fact Fluency, students practice basic number facts over many sessions to build and reinforce their declarative understanding of those facts. It is through repeated exposure that math facts are stored and automatically recalled. Facts are considered memorized only when they can be recalled instantly.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
I’m Baaaaack!
Wow, have I been busy!
If any of you are still checking my blog you’ve noticed that I haven’t had any posts in a while. All of the moving that we’ve been doing has really prevented me from doing what it is I had hoped to be doing this year.
Those of you over at the new site have had to deal with lots of new things. Our new classrooms are “cozy”, but that just helps us all be closer. At least you don’t have to go outside between classes. I’ve been quite impressed with your new teachers. The times I’ve spoken to them leads me to believe that you are all in for a really excellent year.
I know you are used to having a lot of technology at your disposal, believe me when I tell you that I’m working very hard to make sure that you have that again. It would be wonderful if you all gave your new teachers the benefit of your experience with the computers and the software. You guys are all pretty sharp; respectfully offer your assistance when you think it might help. It might take a bit for your new teachers to find out just how sharp you are all. I’ll be available soon to start getting your new teachers involved in some of the things we did last year.
Those of you that are now final, I guess it would be third now, year Intermediate students should be dancing in your big, new rooms. I know things have changed a lot. I’m going to make it a point to try and spend some time with you guys soon; maybe even this week!
Work hard, do your best, and I know your new teachers will be as inspired by you as I have always been. Remember that Edmodo is still going and I hope to get your new classmates in our Google Group very soon.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Weekly Schedule: June 1 – June 3
Welcome to the final week of the 2009-2010 school year. Though the week is short, there is a lot of stuff we need to take care of so please make sure you attend each day.
In science we will be taking the final test on Tuesday. You are allowed to use your notes (remember the tests I told you to keep?) on the test. The test will be timed, so you can’t spend all day on one question.
Wednesday we will be meeting at the Knights of Columbus, 186 London Bridge Road, at 8:00 a.m. and we will be released about 9:30. Though this is a short day, it is still required that you attend. Missing this day will qualify as an absence.
On Thursday we will be back in school for the last day. Dismissal will be at 12:30. We have several activities planned so, once again, make sure you are there.
Let’s make this final week a great one!
Monday, May 24, 2010
Weekly Schedule: May 24 – May 28
1st Year
Math Facts in a Flash, Grammar, Information Skills, and Comprehension should be completed.
Spelling: Quiz on Lessons 23–24
Vocabulary: Posttest on Special Words Vocabulary
Science:
Assignment: 22 - Spin around the Solar System - The Small Pieces - Asteroids / Quiz
Project for the Week: World Wide Telescope (Due May 28)
Language Arts: Listening & Speaking - 11 - Listening with Purpose/ 12 - Listen Up
Science:
Assignment: 23 - Spin around the Solar System - Look to the Stars / Quiz
Assignment Due: The Small Pieces - Asteroids
Science:
Assignment: World Wide Telescope (Due May 28)
Assignment Due: Look to the Stars
Science:
Assignment: World Wide Telescope (Due May 28)
Science:
Assignment Due: World Wide Telescope (Due May 28)
Writing Due: Being an Adult (Due May 28)
Health: Student Presentations/ Set Your Own Goals
2nd Year
Math Facts in a Flash, Grammar, and Comprehension should be completed.
Health: Barriers to Communication
Spelling: Quiz on Lessons 23–24
Information Skills: Quiz on Lessons 7 through 9
Project: We Didn’t Start the Fire Video
Science:
Assignment: 28 - Weather Smart – Climate/Quiz
Assignment Due: Water Smart Experiments
Grammar: Quiz on Lessons 13–14
Science:
Assignment: 29 - Earth Science - Weather and Climate
Assignment Due: Weather Smart – Climate
Information Skills: Deduction: Buying FONOVISION
Vocabulary: Posttest on Special Words Vocabulary
Science:
Assignment: 30 – Global Warming
Assignment Due: Weather and Climate
Vocabulary: Posttest on Special Words Vocabulary
Project: We Didn’t Start the Fire Video Assignment:
Health: Student Presentations/ Set Your Own Goals
Monday, May 17, 2010
Weekly Schedule: May 17 – May 21
1st Year
Spelling: Spelling Demons 2
Grammar: Should be Completed
Criterion:
Due Friday: The Field Trip (Due May 21)
New: Being an Adult (Due May 31)
Science:
Assignment: 20 - Spin around the Solar System - Moon Dance
Assignment Due: Science Project
Language Arts: Listening & Speaking - 07 - Speaking Up/ 08 - Body Language
Vocabulary: The Suffix “-ly”
Math Facts: 41. Division Review 2
Science:
Assignment: Phases of the Moon
Assignment Due: Science Project/ Moon Dance
Information Skills: Should be Completed
Comprehension: Should be Completed
Science:
Assignment: 21 - Spin Around the Solar System - The Outer Planets - The Gas Giants
Assignment Due: Science Project/ Phases of the Moon
Language Arts: Listening & Speaking - 09 - Public Speaking/ 10 - Verbal Variety
Vocabulary: Compound Words II
Math Facts: 42. Review: +, -, x, /
Science:
Assignment Due: Science Project/ The Gas Giants
Writing Due: The Field Trip
Health: Student Presentations (From last week also)
2nd Year
Spelling: Spelling Demons 2
Information Skills: Leases and Contracts
Vocabulary: Multiple Meanings
Criterion:
Due Friday: Your Choice for President
Science:
Assignment: 25 - Earth Science - Land and Water
Assignment Due: Science Project/ Go over Last week's Work
Math Facts: 41. Division Review 2
Science:
Assignment: 26 - Earth Science – Oceans - Quiz
Assignment Due: Science Project/ Land and Water
Grammar: Verbs: Agreement with Compound and Interrupted Subjects
Information Skills: Filling Out Forms
Vocabulary: The Suffixes “-ful” and “-less”
Science:
Assignment: 27 - Water Smart - The Sun, Water Cycle, and Climate/ Quiz
Assignment Due: Science Project/ Oceans
Comprehension: Should be Completed
Math Facts: 42. Review: +, -, x, /
Science:
Assignment Due: Science Project/ Water Smart
Grammar: Pronouns: Agreement with Antecedents
Vocabulary: The Suffix “-tion”
Writing Due: Your Choice for President
Health: Student Presentations (From last week also)
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Weekly Schedule: May 10 – May 14
1st Year
Monday:
Spelling: Spelling Demons 1
Grammar: Completed
Information Skills: Completed
Vocabulary: Homonyms II
Comprehension: Completed
Criterion:
Due Friday: Foods for Health (Due May 14) / Voyage to Mars
New: The Field Trip (Due May 21)
Science:
Assignment: 18 - Spin Around the Solar System - Our Rocky Neighbors - The Inner Planets / Quiz
Tuesday:
Grammar: Completed
Language Arts: Listening & Speaking - 07 - Speaking Up / 08 - Body Language
Comprehension: Completed
Math Facts: 39. Division by 11, 12
Science:
Assignment Due: Our Rocky Neighbors
Wednesday:
Grammar: Completed
Information Skills: Completed
Vocabulary: Compound Words I
Comprehension: Completed
Science:
Assignment: 19 - Spin Around the Solar System - There's No Place Like Earth / Quiz
Thursday:
Grammar: Completed
Comprehension: Completed
Math Facts: 40. Division Review 1
Science:
Assignment Due: There's No Place like Earth
Friday:
Grammar: Completed
Vocabulary: The Prefix “un-”
Comprehension: Completed
Writing Due: Foods for Health / Voyage to Mars
Health: Student Presentations / Solving Conflicts
2nd Year
Monday:
Spelling: Spelling Demons 1
Information Skills: Sequencing: Loading the User-Friendly Camera
Criterion:
Due Friday: Voyage to Mars
New: Your Choice for President (Due May 21)
Science:
Assignment: Career Poster (Due May 13)
Tuesday:
Grammar: Pronouns: Reflexive
Vocabulary: The Prefixes “pre-” and “re-”
Comprehension: Completed
Math Facts: 39. Division by 11, 12
Science:
Assignment: 23 - Our Restless Atmosphere / Quiz
Wednesday:
Information Skills: Written Warranties
Science:
Assignment: 24 - Earth Science - Investigating Earth's Waters / Quiz
Assignment Due: Our Restless Atmosphere
Thursday:
Grammar: Quiz on Lessons 10–12
Vocabulary: The Suffix “-ly”
Math Facts: 40. Division Review 1
Science:
Assignment Due: Investigating Earth's Waters / Career Poster
Friday:
Writing Due: Voyage to Mars
Health: Student Presentations / It's Your Choice: The Facts about Smoking
Monday, May 3, 2010
Weekly Schedule: May 3 – May 7
1st Year
Spelling: Quiz on Lessons 21–22
Information Skills: Should be completed.
Comprehension: Should be completed.
Criterion:
Due Friday: No Rules (Due May 7)
New: Foods for Health (Due May 14)
Science:
Assignment: 16 - Spin Around the Solar System - How the Solar System Works / Quiz
Assignment Due: Career Poster
Grammar: Quiz on Lessons 10–11
Language Arts: Listening & Speaking - 03 - Knowing the Facts / 04 - Active Listening
Vocabulary: Homonyms I
Comprehension: Should be completed
Math Facts: 35. Division Review: 1 to 6
Science:
Assignment Due: How the Solar System Works
Information Skills: Should be completed
Comprehension: Should be completed
Science:
Assignment: 17 - Spin Around the Solar System - The Sun - Our Star Attraction
Grammar: Posttest on Usage
Language Arts: Listening & Speaking - 05 - Giving a Speech / 06 - In a Manner of Speaking
Vocabulary: The Sufffix “-y”
Comprehension: Should be completed
Math Facts: 36. Division by 7, 8
Science:
Assignment Due: The Sun - Our Star Attraction
Writing Due: : No Rules
Health: Student Presentations / Got a Problem? Solve It!
2nd Year
Spelling: Quiz on Lessons 21–22
Information Skills: Warnings and Labels
Vocabulary: Posttest on Hobbies & Activities Vocabulary
Comprehension: Should be completed
Criterion:
Due Friday: Perfect Sandwich (Due May 7)
Science:
Assignment: 20 - Basics of Physics - Exploring Energy / Quiz
Comprehension: Should be completed
Math Facts: 35. Division Review: 1 to 6
Science:
Assignment: 21 - Basics of Physics - Exploring Heat
Assignment Due: Exploring Energy
Grammar: Pronouns: Subject and Object
Information Skills: Quiz on Lessons 4 through 6
Vocabulary: Pretest on Special Words Vocabulary
Comprehension: Should be completed
Science:
Assignment: 22 - Electricity and Magnetism - Generating Electricity / Quiz
Assignment Due: Exploring Heat
Vocabulary: Homonyms
Comprehension: Should be completed
Math Facts: 36. Division by 7, 8
Science:
Assignment Due: Generating Electricity
Vocabulary: The Prefixes “non-” and “dis-”
Writing Due: Perfect Sandwich (Due May 7)
Health: Student Presentation / Alcohol Abuse and Teens: The Turning Point
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Weekly Schedule: April 26 – April 30
1st Year
Testing Relief Day
All students should be ready to participate in Google Groups!
Spelling: Possessives
Grammar: Double Negatives
Information Skills: All should be completed!
Vocabulary: Posttest on Hobbies & Activities Vocabulary
Comprehension: All should be completed!
Criterion:
Due Friday: Your New Parks
New: No Rules (Due May 7)
Language Arts: Listening & Speaking - 01 - Asking About Avalanches
Math Facts: 33. Division by 3, 4
Science:
Assignment: 15 - Reasons for the Seasons / Quiz
Information Skills: All should be completed!
Vocabulary: Pretest on Special Words Vocabulary
Comprehension: All should be completed!
Grammar: Pronouns: Subject and Object
Language Arts: Listening & Speaking - 02 - Group Discussions
Comprehension: All should be completed!
Math Facts: 34. Division by 5, 6
Science:
Assignment: Career Poster
Assignment Due: Reasons for the Seasons
Writing Due: Your New Parks
Health: Student Presentations / How to Say No
2nd Year
Testing Relief Day
All students should be ready to participate in Google Groups!
Spelling: Possessives
Information Skills: Directories and Schedules
Language Arts: Acne Part B
Vocabulary: My Best Friend
Comprehension: All should be completed!
Criterion:
Due Friday: Lesson Learned
New: Perfect Sandwich (Due May 7)
Math Facts: 33. Division by 3, 4
Science:
Assignment: 18 - Basics of Biology - How Living Things are Structured / Quiz
Information Skills: Following Written Instructions
Comprehension: All should be completed!
Science:
Assignment: 19 - Basics of Biology - The Human Body - Organ Systems Working Together / Quiz
Assignment Due: How Living Things are Structured
Language Arts: Acne Part B
Vocabulary: Who’s Afraid of a Little Mouse?
Comprehension: All should be completed!
Math Facts: 34. Division by 5, 6
Science:
Assignment Due: Organ Systems Working Together
Grammar: Double Negatives
Comprehension: All should be completed!
Writing Due: Lesson Learned
Health: Student Presentations / Binge Drinking Blowout: The Extreme Dangers of Alcohol Use
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)