Today’s teachers are pushed for time to develop the level of understanding with content as well as the levels of expertise with the Standards for Mathematical Practice in the typical mathematics classroom. Fermi problems provide an engaging platform for fostering students’ critical thinking, problem-solving, estimating, modelling, and questioning skills. And they can be implemented in such a way as not to detract from the limited class time teachers have available. Fermi problems can be embedded in daily instruction to help students develop these important skills. This model of implementation does not require a large amount of additional time to be spent but fits seamlessly into daily instruction. A power point for classroom use is provided as well as facilitation notes supporting the initial process for implementing a Fermi problem in your daily instruction. From the first journaling assignment to the final check phase students will engage in writing, posing questions that need to be answered in order to “solve” the Fermi problem, developing a model to be used in determining an answer, applying the model, and reflecting on the outcomes. Activity, PowerPoint Presentation This resource is good for students with dyslexia and language-based learning deficiencies.

Students learn mathematics more effectively and more deeply when reading and writing is directed at learning mathematics. (Bossé and Faulconer 2008) This packet includes activities that target foundational components for developing understandings and building fluency. ELA, Social Studies, and Science activities are included and can be easily differentiated based upon the instructions given by the teacher. Vocabulary and writing are targeted and facilitation notes are provided. This resource is good for children with Dyslexia and language-based learning deficiencies. We'd like to hear about your experience with our resources. Just give it a star rating then tell us what you think, simple as that!

Primary mathematicians need opportunities to work with data. Making connections to measurement and literature support building deeper understandings. Five activities, some with literacy connections, five formative assessments, and two investigations are provided. This resource is good for students with Dyslexia and language-based learning deficiencies. We'd like to hear about your experience with our resources. Just give it a star rating then tell us what you think, simple as that!

Primary mathematicians first model “put together” and “take apart” situations using concrete objects, drawings, etc. These concepts are then expanded to composing and decomposing numbers additively. A connection to students’ prior work with building sets is important as students are developing fluencies with their addition and subtractions facts. Children need many opportunities to experience these situations. Incorporating seasonal manipulatives allows children to practice these mathematical ideas in a contextual setting. To effectively facilitate these activities, be sure to cover the common addition and subtraction situations found in Table 1, CCSSM, page 88. Nine seasonal and topical activities are included. Color masters are provided for both tables for each of the activities, the seasonal objects as well as the counters. Hyperlinks are also provided for manipulatives when applicable. This resource is useful for students with Dyslexia and language-based learning deficiencies. We'd like to hear about your experience with our resources. Just give it a star rating then tell us what you think, simple as that!

Do trade books have a place in today’s mathematics classroom? Yes! Incorporating literature into the mathematics classroom at any level can increase student engagement, can make mathematics come alive and give meaning to the student, and can help to differentiate instruction as well as support ELL/ESL students. See several samples of the mathematics that can be experienced by students through well-known pieces of children’s literature. Present mathematics in a way that will be more accessible and understandable for students at all levels. This resource contains ten suggested activities plus "Let's Go Fishing" activity to engage students AS YOU READ, for students to experience BEING A MATHEMATICIAN, and provide students authentic OPPORTUNITIES FOR WRITING. The suggested activities can be adapted for large or small groups, centers, learning stations and for intervention. Five Silly Fishermen is A MUST HAVE book for all teachers and is NOT included in this download. This resource is good for students with language-based learning deficiencies. We'd like to hear about your experience, just give it a star rating then tell us what you think, simple as that!

Writing is one of the parts of language that young mathematicians are developing along with their reading, talking, and listening skills. For many students what they know about mathematics may exceed their ability to communicate it through the written word. Children learn to write by writing. Writing needs to be original thought, not just copying something that someone else wrote. Therefore it is imperative that opportunities are provided often for young children to engage in writing about mathematics. For the teacher, providing an environment that is rich in mathematical language is a priority. The following four learning station/center ideas can be first discussed in the classroom in a large group or small group setting before rotating out to an independent learning center. Facilitation notes are provided below for each station. The ideas presented are but a start for the many ways in which these activities can be adapted. Most of the masters have been made so they can be easily used in The Mathematician’s Notebook.

Young mathematicians, while learning to count, are also building understandings of our base ten number system. Number charts support the investigation of and discovery of many number patterns as well as serve as an aid in developing fluencies with composition and decomposition of numbers. Investigating patterns is the focus of this set of activities. A literacy connection as well as a technology integration is provided. Samples of 20, 50 charts, 100 charts and 1000 charts are given. Multiple charts per page are provided as well as blank charts or activity extensions. The two per page and four per page will fit nicely into the Mathematician’s Notebook.

Mathematics is an art form. It is full of patterns and through the study of these patterns students at all ages discover and develop understandings of the many structures of mathematics. The following brief collection of patterns can be studied by students of all ages. The primary mathematician counts to finish the patterns or builds the nest pattern in the sequence. The secondary mathematician who creates a model to represent the pattern in order to predict any term of the sequence. Students need opportunities to engage with and experience a variety of patterns. One of the Habits of Mind roles is that of a pattern sniffer. (See Habits of Minds Roles Poster.) Patterns are presented in four ways. There are number patterns, dot patterns, toothpick patterns, and even letter patterns. Students can be given the patterns all at once and initially just determine the next element or the next three elements. They can then move to developing models later in the year as the related topics are addressed. For primary students, use them as they fit in with the topics being studied or use them for investigations in learning stations or centers. Students can use number charts and manipulatives as needed.

A palindrome is a word or a number that can be read the same way in either direction. For example, MOM is still MOM if read backwards. “A man, a plan, a canal, Panama” is a famous palindrome about the building of the Panama Canal. Palindromes can also be numbers. 121 is still 121 if read from the other direction. This is a short collection of ideas and resources to facilitate students’ fun investigating palindromic numbers.

Literacy and art support students’ study of money. This packet contains four literacy connections: Where the side Walk Ends The Penny Pot A Quarter from the Tooth Fairy Pigs will be Pigs Activities and suggestions for working with students on developing an understanding of money with the included activities and task cards as well as utilizing items that are your classroom. Packet includes: questions, activity extensions, color masters and task cards

Do trade books have a place in today’s mathematics classroom? Yes! Incorporating literature into the mathematics classroom at any level can increase student engagement, make mathematics come alive and have meaning, and can help to differentiate instruction as well as support ELL/ESL students. Present mathematics in a way that will make mathematics more accessible and understandable for students at all levels. This resource contains six suggested activities to engage students AS YOU READ, for students to experience BEING A MATHEMATICIAN, and provide authentic OPPORTUNITIES FOR WRITING. The suggested activities can be adapted for a large or small group, centers, learning stations and for intervention. This resource is good for students with language-based learning deficiencies. We'd like to hear about your experience with our resources. Just give it a star rating then tell us what you think, simple as that! Book not included.

Venn diagrams offer a way to look at relationships between logical sets or mathematical sets. The circles are the sets, the elements are listed in their respective circles, and if there is an overlap, that region signifies the intersection of the sets. Venns can also be nested, when sets are subsets of each other. A variety of Venns have been provided. There are basic, two circle that are configured to be folded and used in The Mathematicians’ Notebook or Journey’s Notebook. There are also three circle Venns and sorting ovals for nested Venns. A Venn mat on legal paper for work with manipulatives is also provided. This resource is useful for students with Dyslexia and language-based learning deficiencies. We'd like to hear about your experience with our resources. Just give it a star rating then tell us what you think, simple as that!

As primary mathematicians are counting and beginning to build understandings of our base ten number system they need a variety of experiences to support the development of fluency. Number charts along with “I am…” clues offer a different perspective on numbers for students. A set of ten “I Am" number clues is included plus two blank to use for children or the teacher to create their own. See “I Am” Activity for directions and number charts. This resource is good for students with dyslexia and language-based learning deficiencies.

One Duck Stuck, by Phyllis Root, is a beloved children’s book. Not only does the story engage children it can also serve as a foundation for many mathematical investigations for primary mathematicians. Children benefit from using Five Frames and Ten Frames while learning basic number facts. Making ten is one of the key strategies young mathematicians need to experience as they are developing fluency with addition and subtraction. Students should have many opportunities to work with composing and decomposing numbers in a variety of ways. Connecting to a familiar story makes these activities more engaging for students. “How many?”, building and filing five frames and ten frames, and composing and decomposing numbers are all covered in these activities. Questions are provided that can be used during the development of the activity to determine the desired focus of the lesson. It is very important that young mathematicians understand that numbers are quantities represented by numerals, pictures, numerals, etc. Materials are listed for each of the activities. The 11 pages include both black line masters as well as color masters have been provided. Suggestions for preparing the materials have been noted as well to facilitate making classroom sets for long term use.

Primary mathematicians first model “put together” and “take apart” situations using concrete objects, drawings, etc. These concepts are then expanded to composing and decomposing numbers additively. A connection to students’ prior work with building sets is important as students are developing fluencies with their addition and subtractions facts. Children need many opportunities to experience these situations. Incorporating seasonal manipulatives allows children to practice these mathematical ideas in a contextual setting. To effectively facilitate these activities, be sure to cover the common addition and subtraction situations found in Table 1, CCSSM, page 88. Color masters are provided for both activities, the seasonal objects as well as the counters. Hyperlinks are also provided for manipulatives when applicable. This resource is useful for students with Dyslexia and language-based learning deficiencies. We'd like to hear about your experience with our resources. Just give it a star rating then tell us what you think, simple as that!

One Duck Stuck, by Phyllis Root, is a beloved children’s book. Not only does the story engage children it can also serve as a foundation for many mathematical investigations for primary mathematicians. Using doubles is one of the foundational strategies for primary mathematicians as they are building number sense. Connecting this study to a familiar story makes these activities more engaging for students. Additional literacy connections are suggested for use with introducing the concept of doubles. Questions are provided that can be used during the development of the activity to determine the desired focus of the lesson. It is very important that young mathematicians understand that numbers are quantities represented by numerals, pictures, numerals, etc. Materials are listed for each of the activities. The 12 pages include both black line masters as well as color masters have been provided. Suggestions for preparing the materials have been noted as well to facilitate making classroom sets for long term use. This resource is good for students with Dyslexia and language-based learning deficiencies. We'd like to hear about your experience with our resources. Just give it a star rating then tell us what you think, simple as that!

Do trade books have a place in today’s mathematics classroom? Yes! Incorporating literature into the mathematics classroom at any level can increase student engagement, make mathematics come alive and have meaning, and can help to differentiate instruction as well as support ELL/ESL students. Present mathematics in a way that will make mathematics more accessible and understandable for students at all levels. This resource contains ten suggested activities to engage students AS YOU READ, for students to experience BEING A MATHEMATICIAN, and provide authentic OPPORTUNITIES FOR WRITING. The suggested activities can be adapted for a large or small group, centers, learning stations and for intervention. This resource is good for students with language-based learning deficiencies. We'd like to hear about your experience with our resources. Just give it a star rating then tell us what you think, simple as that! Book not included.

Do trade books have a place in today’s mathematics classroom? Yes! Incorporating literature into the mathematics classroom at any level can increase student engagement, can make the mathematics being studied come alive for the student as well as have meaning, and can help to differentiate instruction as well as support ELL/ESL students. See several samples of the mathematics that can be experienced by students through well-known pieces of children’s literature. Experience how mathematics and the way it is presented can help make mathematics more accessible and understandable for students at all levels. This resource contains 8 suggested activities to engage students AS YOU READ, for students to experience BEING A MATHEMATICIAN, and provide students authentic OPPORTUNITIES FOR WRITING. The suggested activities can be adapted for large or small groups, centers, learning stations and for intervention. Equal Shmequal is A MUST HAVE book for all teachers and is NOT included in this resource.

Do trade books have a place in today’s mathematics classroom? Yes! Incorporating literature into the mathematics classroom at any level can increase student engagement, make mathematics come alive and have meaning, and can help to differentiate instruction as well as support ELL/ESL students. Present mathematics in a way that will make mathematics more accessible and understandable for students at all levels. This resource contains seven suggested activities and "Creating a Fibonaci Spiral" activity to engage students AS YOU READ, for students to experience BEING A MATHEMATICIAN, and provide authentic OPPORTUNITIES FOR WRITING. The suggested activities can be adapted for a large or small group, centers, learning stations and for intervention. This resource is good for students with language-based learning deficiencies. We'd like to hear about your experience with our resources. Just give it a star rating then tell us what you think, simple as that! Book not included.