Patterns...A Way to Teach "Smarter, Not Harder!"

One of the most powerful skills in increasing fact fluency and numerical flexibility is pattern recognition.  I know, it seems really simple...almost TOO simple.  However, there is a tremendous amount of power in it. Recognizing patterns can help students to:

• Develop true place value understanding (think about the 0-99 chart).
• Take ownership of what they discover, and therefore make sense of number.
• Think critically about number, and make reasonable predictions and conjectures.
• Start to discover and understand properties (which is super important, especially later on)..
• Have fun!

If this isn't enough, the use of patterns is an essential part of our practice standards!  So actually, it's a Common Core-based expectation...  

• SMP 7: Look for and make use of structure.  Mathematically proficient students look closely to discern a pattern or structure. 
• SMP8: Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.  Mathematically proficient students notice if calculations are repeated, and look both for general methods and for shortcuts.

Here are some ways you can use patterns with your students

• Post and use the 0-99 chart.
• Skip count on a regular basis.  
• Mrs. Schoening makes it a regular practice to have her students to count by different increments such as 3, 5, 6, etc.  She found that her students began to make the connection between their frequent skip counting and multiplication.  This made achieving fact fluency easier for them AND her!
• Students can "line up" in different increments, or even number their papers for example in increments of four.
• While waiting in line, or during transition, you can call out a number, and the students start to tell you the next numbers in succession!
• Use number lines to count forward/backward, add/subtract, multiply/divide, show fractions, etc.  See the example below?

• Algebraically (either without numbers, or with missing parts)

The possibilities are ENDLESS!  Try patterning, and let me know how it works!

FREEBIE:  Here is a cute link to a St. Patrick's Day patterning activity.  It comes from The Math Coach's Corner.  Enjoy!

A Better Way to Use Flashcards...

"Since Common Core has changed the way we do math, what are we going to so with all these Flashcards?!?!?"  I've been asked this question by countless teachers, parents, etc. At first, my response was, "THROW THEM AWAY!"  

Then, the mom in me chimed in. I hate waste.  It actually pains me. So, I was sure many of the people who had loads of Flashcards felt the same way about throwing away their Dollar Store investments.  So, I decided to research alternatives. 

So, I began to read. I came across Fluency With Basic Addition by Gina Kling. Very good, quick, easy read.  She suggests using flash cards to allow students to do a strategy sort. Students would group their flash cards according to the strategy they would use to find the answer.  This allows students to identify patterns.  It also encourages meta cognition. 

I tried it with a first grader.  She grouped them by doubles, 1 more, no more, and near doubles. It worked!  Try it for yourself and share your thoughts. 

Conversations that Count (Literally)!

There's this two-teacher team in my building.  At first glance, it looks like a regular co-teaching environment.  But when you crack the door open to listen to what's going on, that's when the magic happens.  Their students are decomposing and composing numbers, discussing strategies, freely using their Rekenreks, and having plain old mathematical discussions.

They talk all the time.  As a matter of fact, most of the time, all you hear is talking. They love to come to the carpet.  They enjoy strategy collaboration and think-pair-share.  Number Talks are their favorite.   It's never quiet in there.  However, there is power in their talking.  Because of their conversations, they are developing numerical flexibility.  They are becoming confident mathmeticians. 

This little class has "Mathematical Swag," and I love it.  Keep it up, Ms. Parker and Mrs. Scott.  Your students will never forget their experiences and will one day thank you.  Let's talk more in math.  Our students need it. 

 

Ms. Parker's First Grade Class has "Mathematical Swag."