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Thoughts About the Calendar!
October 5, 2009
Well, here it is—October! Time is flying. Currently in Temple, Texas enjoying a golf tournament for our daughter! This trip took us to Boise to work with a wonderful school. The school is determined to work hard and make number sense a priority for the students. Then headed to Toronto for an algebraic focus!
In Toronto, my friend, Marsha attended the workshop. She is the teacher who originally rewrote the song, “Walk the Line” for my number line. She is amazing! I thank her every day! Then another wonderful teacher, Janeen had her class rewrite the whole song…… I love the creativity!
Some thoughts have been floating around my head about using the calendar to teach math. The calendar can be the best tool for primary students developing number sense. The concept of before, between and after can be reinforced every day and it needs to be! Simple dialogue about numbers can be happen every day. Place value is introduced by bundling the straws each day as the count to the 100th day takes place. Make sure that you show the expanded form of the number is shown along with an enlarged place value pocket. These three parts are essential…..
Don’t forget to read Stuart Murphy’s book, Tally O’Malley as your students participate in tallying to the 100th day. Students love the song, “Let’s Tally Man” from Math Beats. This song teaches them quickly how to tally. Count by fives using the yellow dot on the number line singing Ron Brown’s song, “Let’s Count by Fives” on Math Concepts I and II.
Every primary calendar board needs a picture for evens and odds. Use the day of the month for the even or odd picture. On even numbered days, use the red dot on the number line singing, “We’re Counting by Twos” on Math Concepts I and II.
I promise that I am not done with this topic.
Mathematically yours,
Kim
