This packet offers 10 diverse opportunities for writing in mathematics with over 35 individual prompts for intermediate students. Writing in mathematics involves more than just putting word to paper. Words need to be carefully chosen to communicate ideas and concepts clearly. Writing involves all of the language of mathematics. Reading, vocabulary, notations and symbols, diagrams, charts, graphs, and metacognition all serve a role as students are engaged in writing in mathematics. Many and varied opportunities need to be provided for students to engage in original thought writing. And remember, just because a students can say something in words, it in no way shows that they can write those same thoughts. Those are two different skill sets. Writing also provides opportunities for the verbal learner to excel as well as the creative learner. This beginning assortment of writing prompts can be adapted as needed for the course, topic, and level of the students. The important thing is to write! Just asking, “Why?”, “How did you think about that?”, “What could be another strategy used here?”, and “Is your conclusion reasonable?” requires students to engage in more than just procedural mathematics. On the back page is a sample of how journal prompt cards can be made for learning station facilitation or to print on labels for ELL/ESL and struggling learners and beginning writers.

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.

This packet offers 8 diverse opportunities for writing in mathematics with over 35 individual prompts for primary students. Writing in mathematics involves more than just putting word to paper. Words need to be carefully chosen to communicate ideas and concepts clearly. Writing involves all of the language of mathematics. Reading, vocabulary, notations and symbols, diagrams, charts, graphs, and metacognition all serve a role as students are engaged in writing in mathematics. Many and varied opportunities need to be provided for students to engage in original thought writing. And remember, just because a students can say something in words, it in no way shows that they can write those same thoughts. Those are two different skill sets. Writing also provides opportunities for the verbal learner to excel as well as the creative learner. This beginning assortment of writing prompts can be adapted as needed for the course, topic, and level of the students. The important thing is to write! Just asking, “Why?”, “How did you think about that?”, “What could be another strategy used here?”, and “Is your conclusion reasonable?” requires students to engage in more than just procedural mathematics. On the back page is a sample of how journal prompt cards can be made for learning station facilitation or to print on labels for ELL/ESL and struggling learners and beginning writers.

Students need many experiences with estimating in their early years. Gumball Estimations offers students an opportunity to connect literacy while kinesthetically engaging in estimation experiences. A variety of suggested facilitation questions are provided as well as extensions to the main activity. Blackline masters are provided for use as needed. Note that the Gumball Estimations Mat is formatted to print on 11X17 paper to facilitate working with small hands. This resource is good for students with dyslexia and language-based learning deficiencies.

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. The following 23 activities are a sample of the possible uses for these materials in the primary mathematics classroom. These activities are flexible enough to be used for leveled instruction in the primary grades, even into early intermediate grades. A second grader who is still struggling with counting can benefit from the counting activities denoted with kindergarten standards. Also many of these activities can be first introduced in small or large group instruction and then rotate out to a center or learning station. One interesting and important concept in mathematics is Pascal’s Triangle. The combination of One Duck Stuck and the related mathematical concepts that can be found in Pascal’s Triangle allows students a fun, unique, and engaging venue for developing mathematical literacy. The main focus standards from the CCSSM have been identified at the beginning of each cluster of activities. Notice that for many of the activities the standards transcend two or all three of the primary grades. This was intentional to show the possible development of the learning trajectories for a topic and the possibilities for leveled instruction. Geometry connections although thin are there as well, just not identified as focus standards. Materials are listed for each of the activities. The 128 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 allow 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!

Dominoes are one of the older and more versatile of manipulatives. Dominoes serve as a concrete representation for many mathematical concepts. The use of dominoes can serve as a bridge for many students to the more abstract understandings that need to be developed. Using dominoes to generate fractions, equations, and expressions engages students in a way that just working on a typical worksheet does not. Also, dominoes can be used to differentiate for diverse student levels as well as diverse problem sets. Having students select dominoes to generate a set of problems provides opportunities for students to thoughtfully think about the components of the problem as they are creating it. This collection of activities for secondary mathematicians offers a variety of experiences using dominoes. Activity pages including unknowns and comparisons, domino equations, and domino ratios are provided. Multiple charts per page are provided as well as blank charts for extensions. The two per page and four per page will fit nicely into the Mathematician’s Notebook. This resource is great for students with dyslexia and language-based learning deficiencies.

Dominoes are one of the older and more versatile of manipulatives. Dominoes serve as a concrete representation for many mathematical concepts. The use of dominoes can serve as a bridge for many students to the more abstract understandings that need to be developed. This collection of activities for intermediate mathematicians offers a variety of experiences using dominoes as well as number charts. Samples of 20, 50 charts, 100 charts and activity pages including unknowns and comparisons and domino equations are provided. Multiple charts per page are provided as well as blank charts for extensions. The two per page and four per page will fit nicely into the Mathematician’s Notebook. This resource is great 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. One interesting and important concept in mathematics is Pascal’s Triangle. The combination of One Duck Stuck and the related mathematical concepts that can be found in Pascal’s Triangle allows students a fun, unique, and engaging venue for developing mathematical literacy. 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 24 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.

Dominoes are one of the older and more versatile of manipulatives. Dominoes serve as a concrete representation for many mathematical concepts. The use of dominoes can serve as a bridge for many students to the more abstract understandings that need to be developed. This collection of activities for primary mathematicians offers a variety of experiences using dominoes as well as number charts. Samples of 20, 50 charts, 100 charts and activity pages including unknowns and comparisons are provided. Multiple charts per page are provided as well as blank charts for extensions. The two per page and four per page will fit nicely into the Mathematician’s Notebook. This resource is great for students with dyslexia and language-based learning deficiencies.

Paper folding can be a useful tool of investigation for some students. Here are a few opportunities for using paper folding in the secondary mathematics classroom from difference of squares to an infinite geometric sequence. Directions are included as well as an extension activity for a learning station on paper folding to punch one hole and create a pattern. 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!

The study of the history of mathematics allows students to understand where and how some of the mathematics with which they work came from or was derived. There are resources for teachers and students as well as some activities and topics and projects for students to investigate. Writing and presentation opportunities are included. A writing project, trade card project and a scavenger hunt are included. 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, 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 the way mathematics is presented can make mathematics more accessible and understandable for students at all levels. This resource contains eight suggested activities plus "Domino Math" 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 and small groups, centers, learning stations and for intervention. Domino Addition A MUST HAVE book for all teachers. This resource is good for students with 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!

Flatland by Edwin Abbott, is a classic. Published in 1884, it is a satire on life during the Victorian era. Secondary students can read the story a few chapters at a time. It can be purchased, but it is available online. In the 18 page packet, you will find an introductory list of reading questions for students as they get into the book as well as a list of questions broken into sections that go into a little more detail. There is also a list of projects that students can complete once they have read the book. Several resources with hyperlinks are included as well.

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. 45 pages of blackline and colorline masters 5 pages of facilitation notes and sample questions 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!

Secondary mathematicians are developing functional fluency in their study of mathematics. One of the primary representations of functions is the graph. Here is a set of ten graphs of points through which students can try to create functions that will “catch” the most points with the graph. Some of the graphs have points that appear to be quadratic in nature, some linear, and some exponential. The type of graph created can depend upon the student, their level, the mathematical topic being studied, or the teacher’s desire. These make nice journal prompts as well as activities for learning stations. Encourage students to use their graphing technology, TI-Nspire, TI-84 family, etc, as a tool of investigation. Students need to record each of their trials and discuss their thinking as they made refinements to their original function. 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!

Secondary students participate in a kinesthetic activity that reviews distance in relation to rate and time as well as a study of slope in relation to a contextual example. Students will use a three-dimensional experience to connect on two-dimensional space. Student reporting sheet, group observation sheet, review probes and class power point are provided. This resource is good for students with dyslexia and language-based learning deficiencies.

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!

There is a need, a time, and a place for building procedural fluency no matter what mathematical topics are being studied. However, moving students beyond procedural mathematics to developing true understandings of the mathematics with which they are engaging requires students to think. The Farmer Jones tasks for high school students requires students to investigate the relationships between the tangram pieces while working an open-ended problem. One activity requires students to maximize income and profit while the second asks for a minimization. Developing different options and presenting those options is required. Even though this is a contrived problem, students can make it more authentic by researching the crops and livestock options in their geographic region. Questions that move the learning forward, as well as extending the learning and reflecting are provided in addition to facilitation notes. This resource is good for students with dyslexia and language-based learning deficiencies.