Mrs. Cutsforth

Engineers use the 4 Cs (critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity) to build spaghetti towers that support a marshmallow!

@MakerEdNZ My students and I are stuck on the number locks. Any hints?

Just in time for Valentine's! Come play the newest breakout from #MakerEdNZ: sites.google.com/view/dont-leav… Feel free to use, share or create your own as inspiration! #BreakoutEDU #DigitalBreakouts #PrimarySTEMChat #EdChatNZ #GoogleEI

Learning from the Virtual Math Summit: Gifted students may under perform in math bc they lose interest. Instead of more of the same, reel them back in with math curiosities! Check out the work of Ian Byrd for ideas. @IanAByrd @aprilpfortsiowa @gfletchy #iowamath #ianuns

In math class the “treasure” should not be the answer. The treasure is in developing number sense, creative problem solving, engaged students, collaborative learning...so much more than the “right answer”! @aprilpfortsiowa @gfletchy #iowamath #ianuns

Fantastic resource for teachers who want to challenge their students in math. Tons of problems from kindergarten to high school! You can even submit your own challenge problems. openmiddle.com @aprilpfortsiowa @gfletchy #iowamath #ianuns

Two more days to sign up for the virtual math summit - Christina Tondevold (plus a ton of other great math educators) will be speaking! buildmathminds.com/virtual-math-s… @aprilpfortsiowa @gfletchy #iowamath #ianuns

Great resource for a part-part-whole activity! John Van de Walle’s missing part cards: haverford.k12.pa.us/cms/lib/PA0100… @aprilpfortsiowa @gfletchy #iowamath #ianuns

Games should be an opportunity for students to practice and apply concepts and skills that they already have experience with. Allow students to solidify their skills during games AFTER learning the skill with you. @aprilpfortsiowa @gfletchy #iowamath #ianuns

“Fiveness” will be a big focus with my kindergarten math enrichment kids this coming year to solidify that benchmark for them. Planning to use lots of visual and manipulatives! Rely on benchmarks to move away from counting on. @aprilpfortsiowa @gfletchy #iowamath #ianuns

Thoughtful notation of student counting can help students see the patterns and relationships on their own without explicit construction. Think about the notes you might take for students as they count around the circle. @aprilpfortsiowa @gfletchy #iowamath #ianuns

Developing number sense means that students are able to make natural, intuitive leaps in their understanding of math. Student-centered, student-driven learning – what’s better than that?! @aprilpfortsiowa @gfletchy #iowamath #ianuns

My mind keeps getting blown by the importance of the WHY behind the math. Students can’t develop strong number sense without the WHY behind what they are doing. This will be my mantra for the upcoming school year: Find the WHY! @aprilpfortsiowa @gfletchy #iowamath #ianuns

Number sense is all about relationships. Students need to not only recognize numbers and patterns but how those numbers and patterns relate to each other. Half, double, triple, more, less, etc. @aprilpfortsiowa @gfletchy #iowamath #ianuns

The “tricks” behind teaching fractions can get in the way of students’ conceptual understanding! Time to retire my fractions songs and instead implement strategies that will build the WHY behind fraction multiplication and division. @aprilpfortsiowa @gfletchy #iowamath #ianuns

Kids need opportunities to count STUFF. Once they’ve got counting down, move into organizing and forming patterns. Counting collections aren’t just for lower elementary kids! @aprilpfortsiowa @gfletchy #iowamath #ianuns

Updates from ISTE - Excited about the changes coming to Google Forms and Google Classroom! Can't wait to try the new CS First lessons! blog.google/outreach-initi…

Lightbulb! Kids who “get” math often get it because they are seeing patterns and structure where others aren't. Give opportunities to explain these patterns – verbally, visually, in writing. Emphasize structure = see relationships. @aprilpfortsiowa @gfletchy #iowamath #ianuns

This article had me totally rethinking my math lessons with students! Taking the time to anticipate student answers can make a huge difference. @aprilpfortsiowa @gfletchy #iowamath #ianuns mseg.wikispaces.com/file/view/7%20…

Give kids a chance to practice subitizing skills during games centers. Use visual representations of numbers and fractions rather than written numerals. therecoveringtraditionalist.com/evergreen-subi… @aprilpfortsiowa #iowamath #ianuns

Bring subitizing with fractions in to your number sense routines with visual representations. This can change the way young students picture fractions in their heads. Try using quick glances at visual fractions cards to build this skill! @aprilpfortsiowa #iowamath #ianuns