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Learning to Love Math
By Brittany RobertsEducation
Learning to Love Math episodes
- Episode 18 | So You Say You're Not a Math Person
Today's episode is a little bit different. Instead of sharing a math teaching strategy, I'm sharing why you're already a math person - and how you can help yourself (and your students!) believe this, too.
Today's Takeaways
- You already ARE a math person, even if you don't feel like it yet
- You can get better at math if you work at it
- You will enjoy teaching math more once you feel like you "get it"
- Your students will enjoy LEARNING math more once you enjoy teaching it
Resources for You
- Free Math Fact Maze for your students to remember that anything times 0 is 0!
- Math Fact Maze Bundle (6s, 7s, 8s, and 9s) for $9
- Math Fact Fluency Tracker, $9
- Math Fact Mastery Mega Bundle, on sale for Black Friday!
And if you haven't already, join our free Facebook Group for upper elementary teachers and follow me on Instagram!
19 min - Episode 17 | Why Your Students Need a Math Fact Fluency Tracker
In the last episode, I shared some strategies to help you build math fact fluency in your students. Definitely go back and check out Episode 16 if you haven't already! And if you're brand new to math fact fluency, check out episode 15, where I dive in to exactly what math fact fluency is, and why it's so important.
In this episode, I'm sharing why I believe that every upper elementary students needs to use a math fact fluency tracker. Hint: it's about SO MUCH MORE than facts! I also share about the winning qualities of a good math fact fluency tracker, as well as where you can find one that I've made and listed in my TeachersPayTeachers store.
Today's Takeaways
- Having students track their own data is empowering for them
- When students track their own math fact fluency, they learn how to set goals and make action plans
- Have students apply what they're learning and build conceptual understanding BEFORE you move to memorization
- Not all math fact fluency trackers are made equally
Resources for You
- Free Math Fact Maze for your students to remember that anything times 0 is 0!
- Math Fact Maze Bundle (6s, 7s, 8s, and 9s) for $9
- Math Fact Fluency Tracker, $9
- Math Fact Mastery Mega Bundle, on sale for Black Friday!
And if you haven't already, join our free Facebook Group for upper elementary teachers and follow me on Instagram!
14 min - Episode 16 | How to Build and Improve Math Fact Fluency in Students
Now that you know what math fact fluency is from Episode 15, let's dive into how we can actually instill math fact fluency in our students.
In this episode, you'll learn all about my framework for math fact fluency, along with some ideas for activities and tools to use in each phase of this process. I also mention some resources I have in my store (both free and paid) that will help your students improve in their math fact fluency. And then, finally, MASTER their math facts so you can move on to other concepts!
Today's Takeaways
- Have students apply what they're learning, before delivering direct instruction
- After building concrete understanding, have students model and represent problems visually
- Learning happens on a continuum!
- Memorization is the LAST step in this process, which happens along with assessment, differentiation and reteaching
If you're brand new to using manipulatives with your students (which is common for the first 'Application' phase), I have a video on YouTube that walks teachers through how to use digital manipulatives with their students. That video specifically focuses on manipulatives for place value, but the same concepts apply!
Mentioned Resources
Free Math Fact Maze for your students to remember that anything times 0 is 0! Math Fact Maze Bundle (6s, 7s, 8s, and 9s) for $9
And if you haven't already, join our free Facebook Group for upper elementary teachers and follow me on Instagram!
19 min - Episode 15 | What is Math Fact Fluency, Anyway?
Sure, we talk about math fact fluency all the time as teachers. But, what the heck IS math fact fluency, anyway?!
In this episode, I'm sharing what math fact fluency is, the four steps to achieving math fact fluency, and why math fact fluency is so important.I'd love to hear YOUR thoughts on what math fluency is, and how it differs from math fact fluency! Join the conversation on Instagram by clicking here.
Today's Takeaways:
- Math fact fluency is NOT the same as math fluency (though they're both really important!)
- Math fact fluency needs to be a priority in 3rd grade, 4th grade, and 5th grade classroom
- Your students CAN memorize their math facts, and actually enjoy doing it!!
- There are four steps to building math fact fluency, and they're probably not what you think
Mentioned Resources
- Free Math Fact Maze for your students to remember that anything times 0 is 0!
- Math Fact Maze Bundle (6s, 7s, 8s, and 9s) for $9
And if you haven't already, join our free Facebook Group for upper elementary teachers and follow me on Instagram!
20 min - Episode 14 | Best Manipulatives for Multiplication
In this episode, I'm sharing about the best manipulatives for multiplication in the classroom.
I'm a HUGE fan of having students explore concepts with manipulatives before they even solve problems. This really helps them to build conceptual understanding - ESPECIALLY when they're learning a more abstract concept, like place value (check Episode 13 to learn the best ways to teach place value!).
Main Takeaways from Today's Episode:
- Use manipulatives! This makes abstract concepts more concrete for your students.
- Memorization of math facts isn't bad. Memorizing is the first step in long-term learning.
- Get tools that have multiple uses. This helps you save money, and it reduces classroom clutter!
- Use games, challenges and competitions. This makes math more fun for many kids!
- But if those things cause kids anxiety, don't force them. I have students who get stressed when they see timers. For these kiddos, I give them extra time to think and respond! It all comes down to knowing your students.
I have a video on YouTube that walks teachers through how to use digital manipulatives with their students.
Mentioned Resources
- Click here to download my free place value charts
- Buy my Place Value Mini-Lesson & Activities for $5 (I teach it FOR YOU!)
- Get my Counting Money & Place Value Resource for $3
And if you haven't already, join our free Facebook Group for upper elementary teachers and connect with me on Instagram!
14 min - Episode 13 | Best Ways to Teach Place Value
In this episode, I'm sharing my best ways for teaching place value to 3rd grade, 4th grade and 5th grade students. I even shared some tips for using manipulatives to teach place value.
Main Takeaways from Today's Episode:
- Use manipulatives! This makes abstract concepts more concrete for your students.
- Use money as a manipulative, specifically. I have a video on YouTube that walks teachers through how to do this.
- Practice over and over again, and in a variety of ways
Mentioned Resources
- Click here to download my free place value charts
- Buy my Place Value Mini-Lesson & Activities for $5 (I teach it FOR YOU!)
- Get my Counting Money & Place Value Resource for $3
- This article does a great job covering the homework debate, with links to scholarly articles
And if you haven't already, join our free Facebook Group for upper elementary teachers and connect with me on Instagram!
19 min - Episode 12 | Teacher Burnout is Real, and You're Not Alone
Today's episode is a little bit different.
At the time I'm recording this, there's still a pandemic.
But there's also an epidemic of teacher burnout and demoralization.
Your complaints are real and valid.
The call for self-care shouldn't be weaponized against you.
And if you are at the point where you need a break, counseling, or even a different career?
I support you. Even though you know you don't need anyone's support to live the life you want and need to live.
If you haven't already, join our free Facebook Group for upper elementary teachers Or, connect with me on Instagram!
17 min - Episode 11 | What's Behaviorism, and Why Should Teachers Care?
In this episode, we're talking all about the behaviorism theory. We weight the benefits, drawbacks, and what behaviorism looks like in practice in the upper elementary math classroom.
Main Takeaways from Today's Episode:
- Behaviorism is the theory that a student's environment affects their ability to learn
- PBIS (Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports) is a result of behaviorism in schools
- We need to offer an inviting environment, as well as opportunities to foster intrinsic motivation
- I'm looking for podcast guests! Submit your application and release form here.
Mentioned Resources
- If you haven't already, join our free Facebook Group for upper elementary teachers
- Connect with me on Instagram!
16 min - Epsiode 10 | What is Scaffolding, and Should Teachers Be Doing It?
On the last episode of the Learning to Love Math Podcast, I shared all about the gradual release of responsibility (more widely known as 'I Do, We Do, You Do.'). In this episode, we're talking all about scaffolding, and how 3rd-5th grade teachers can use it to help students in their upper elementary classrooms. I also share some ways I mix it up with the scaffolding model, and why it's not always best to use math vocabulary when introducing a new concept.
Main Takeaways from Today's Episode:
- Students aren't blank slates! Help them use what they already know, to learn something new.
- Scaffolding and the Gradual Release of Responsibility are very similar!
- Our students benefit when we think aloud, and use visuals when we're teaching.
- I'm looking to connect with future podcast guests! Submit your application and release form here.
Mentioned Resources
- If you haven't already, join our free Facebook Group for upper elementary teachers
- Connect with me on Instagram!
- Check out this blog post to learn all about scaffolding in text form! Be sure to share it with your teacher friends. :)
17 min - Episode 09 | The Gradual Release of Responsibility (I Do, We Do, You Do)
On the last episode of the Learning to Love Math Podcast, I shared all about the 5E model for teaching and learning, and how that relates to Math Workshop. Today, we talk about a different theory for teaching and learning: the gradual release of responsibility. This theory is more widely known as 'I Do, We Do, You Do.' And in today's episode, I'm breaking down what all of that means, and how it looks in the upper elementary math block.
Main Takeaways from Today's Episode:
- The gradual responsibility is a great way to foster independence and responsibility for one's own learning!
- There's a lot of flexibility in this model - you have voice and choice, too :)
- 'I Do, We Do, You Do' is great for new teachers, and/or for teachers who aren't keen on the Math Workshop model
- I'm looking to connect with future podcast guests! Submit your application and release form here.
Mentioned Resources
- If you haven't already, join our free Facebook Group for upper elementary teachers
- Connect with me on Instagram!
- Check out this blog post about the gradual release of responsibility, and share it with a teacher friend!
Links to Love
- Follow my store to get updates on future course and resources!
14 min
About Learning to Love Math
From the publisher's feed
Teaching math is hard; it's even harder when you hate math. Join Brittany from the TeachersPayTeachers store, "Math With Minis," each Monday. Each episode is jam-packed with teaching tips, mental math…
tricks, and pep talks for teaching math. If you're an upper elementary teacher who's secretly Googling 'how to teach math,' or, 'how to make math fun,' I GET IT. I've been there. And I'm here to help.