Ep299: How To Keep All Students Engaged During A Math Talk - A Math Mentoring Moment

Make Math Moments・2 minutes read

Nicole, a kindergarten teacher, aims to create an inclusive math class where all students can engage in hands-on activities. She emphasizes the importance of balancing foundational skills with engaging activities to maintain student interest and foster a culture of learning.

Insights

  • Nicole aims to create an inclusive math class where students of all levels can engage together, focusing on hands-on activities to foster participation and contribution in math discussions.
  • The speaker emphasizes the significance of intentional lesson planning to align engagement strategies with deeper learning goals, considering various teaching structures and activities like manipulatives to enhance student participation and understanding in math talks.

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Recent questions

  • How does Nicole engage kindergarteners in math?

    Nicole engages kindergarteners in math by using manipulatives like creating scenarios in a pet store or an aquarium to visualize math concepts. She aims to create a math class where all students can engage together, regardless of their level, focusing on hands-on activities to make math discussions inclusive and interactive.

  • What challenges does Nicole face in teaching math?

    Nicole faces challenges in engaging kindergarteners in math talk due to the limited curriculum on numeracy skills. She struggles with inconsistency in implementing engaging math activities and catering to diverse learners, seeking a balance between routine foundational math skills and engaging activities to maintain student interest.

  • Why is intentionality in lesson planning crucial for Nicole?

    Intentionality in lesson planning is crucial for Nicole to ensure engagement aligns with deeper learning goals and understanding of math concepts. By being intentional in structuring activities and focusing on student understanding, she can create a classroom environment that fosters a culture of learning and inclusivity during math talks.

  • How does Nicole envision a math talk in kindergarten?

    Nicole envisions a math talk in kindergarten as a space where routines are scaffolded, allowing for student voice and participation. She emphasizes the importance of engaging all students simultaneously during math talks to prevent disengagement, considering different teaching structures like one-on-one, small group, or large group settings to cater to diverse needs.

  • What strategies does Nicole consider to enhance student engagement in math?

    Nicole considers incorporating manipulatives or hands-on activities into math talks to increase engagement. She also suggests exploring math partners or pair share activities to enhance student comfort in talking to peers, highlighting the balance between preparation time and the benefits of engaging activities in the classroom. By adapting teaching strategies based on student responses, Nicole aims to create a dynamic and inclusive math learning environment for kindergarteners.

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Summary

00:00

"Kindergarten teacher navigates math engagement challenges"

  • Nicole is a kindergarten teacher in Richmond, Virginia, with seven years of experience.
  • She recalls being separated into higher and lower math classes in third and fourth grade, impacting her perception of math abilities.
  • Nicole aims to create a math class where all students can engage together, regardless of their level.
  • She wants her students to feel included and able to contribute to math discussions, focusing on hands-on activities.
  • Nicole struggles with engaging kindergarteners in math talk due to the limited curriculum on numeracy skills.
  • To enhance math discussions, Nicole uses manipulatives like creating scenarios in a pet store or an aquarium to visualize math concepts.
  • Inconsistency in implementing engaging math activities and catering to diverse learners poses challenges for Nicole.
  • Nicole seeks a balance between routine foundational math skills and engaging activities to maintain student interest.
  • The debate centers on the purpose of math talk in kindergarten, whether it's for routine practice or to foster a culture of learning.
  • Intentionality in lesson planning is crucial for Nicole to ensure engagement aligns with deeper learning goals and understanding of math concepts.

15:16

Effective Math Talk Strategies for Student Engagement

  • The speaker is contemplating different teaching structures for activities, such as one-on-one, small group, or large group settings.
  • They are considering the ideal scenario for a math talk in a kindergarten classroom, focusing on foundational skills and student engagement.
  • The speaker envisions a space where routines are scaffolded, allowing for student voice and participation.
  • They emphasize the importance of engaging all students simultaneously during math talks to prevent disengagement.
  • The speaker discusses the challenge of engaging all students, especially those with diverse needs, during math talks.
  • They suggest exploring math partners or pair share activities to enhance student engagement and comfort in talking to peers.
  • The speaker considers incorporating manipulatives or hands-on activities into math talks to increase engagement.
  • They discuss the balance between preparation time and the benefits of engaging activities in the classroom.
  • The importance of intentionality in structuring activities and focusing on student understanding is highlighted.
  • The conversation concludes with a focus on setting clear goals, building structures early in the school year, and adapting teaching strategies based on student responses.
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