Monthly Archives: August 2013

Aug 31 2013

Top 10 strategies for Achievement in Mathematics (Educators Resource Guide – Alaska)

Research-based Top Ten Strategies for Mathematics Achievement

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Research findings indicate that certain teaching strategies and methods are worth careful consideration as teachers strive to improve their mathematics teaching practices. The following ten instructional practices are from “Improving Student Achievement in Mathematics: Part 1: Research Findings”, by Douglas A. Grouws & Kristin J. Cebulla; December 2000 (Updated January 2002). Published by ERIC

  1. Opportunity to Learn
  2. Focus on Meaning
  3. Problem Solving
  4. Opportunities for Invention and Practice
  5. Openness to Student Solutions and Student Interactions
  6. Small Group Learning
  7. Whole-Class Discussion
  8. Focus on Number Sense
  9. Use Concrete Materials
  10. Use Calculators

The full research article is at http://www.eed.state.ak.us/tls/frameworks2/teachers/math/primary/best/research.shtml

See also http://www.ibe.unesco.org/fileadmin/user_upload/archive/publications/EducationalPracticesSeriesPdf/prac04e.pdf

Aug 31 2013

How the OFSTED judges describe an outstanding mathematics lesson in the UK

Ofsted Criteria for Outstanding…  
1.  Much of the teaching in all key stages is outstanding and never less than consistently good. As a result, almost all pupils, including disabled pupils, those with special educational needs and those for whom the Pupil Premium provides support, are making rapid and sustained progress.
2.  All teachers have consistently high expectations of all pupils. They plan and teach lessons that enable pupils to learn exceptionally well across the curriculum.
3.  Teachers systematically and effectively check pupils’ understanding throughout lessons, anticipating where they may need to intervene and doing so with notable impact on the quality of learning.
4.  The teaching of reading, writing, communication and mathematics is highly effective and cohesively planned and implemented across the curriculum.
5.  Teachers and other adults generate high levels of engagement and commitment to learning.
6.  Consistently high-quality marking and constructive feedback from teachers ensure that pupils make rapid gains.
7.  Teachers use well-judged and often inspirational teaching strategies, including setting appropriate homework, which together with sharply focused and timely support and intervention, match individual needs accurately. Consequently, pupils learn exceptionally well.

extracted from http://emaths.co.uk/index.php/the-emaths-blog/item/an-ofsted-outstanding-mathematics-lesson

Aug 30 2013

Top 10 back-to-school teaching resources | Teacher Network | Guardian Professional

Includes the following:

1: Brain training warm up

2: The Assessment for Learning Toolkit

3: Big Grammar Book

4: Challenge Toolkit

5: Name Game

6: Plenaries on a Plate

7: Niall Ferguson’s history lesson of the future

8: Essay Writing Toolkit

9: Top tips for NQTs

10: Literacy assessment

via Top 10 back-to-school teaching resources | Teacher Network | Guardian Professional.

Aug 30 2013

Back to school resources – TES

 

If you teach in the UK, then it’s time to start finding your feet and preparing for the exciting days ahead.  Most teachers in the USA are well into the start of the new school year, so there’s plenty of free stuff available on the web.  It’s so wonderful that we can all share our ideas and resources around the world.  Here’s the first collection of teaching resources.  Enjoy!

Back to school resources – Resources – TES.

Aug 22 2013

Survey time again – Calling all mathematics teachers

Dear Maths Teachers of the World,

A few years ago, I asked teachers to vote for their favourite mathematics websites.  There are so many websites out there these days, that you simply can’t remember which one was the best or which one had those fantastic worksheets you were looking for last week. I am still determined to create a list that will help teachers all over the world to categorise, find, list and use the best possible websites available, with a preference for free resources and ideas.

I have used computers in my classroom since 1995, and I didn’t ever expect to get to the point where there were just too many resources available. I have searched the internet for years, always finding new websites and checking for updates on old favourites. Sometimes, websites I have loved and used have shut down or changed to commercial websites, but it has never stopped me from finding more than I needed for any lesson without having to pay for the resources. I have to admit though, there are one or two (such as “mymaths” and “whiteboardmaths” in the UK) that are part of my toolkit because they are excellent, and come at a very reasonable price. I have spent the last 8 years finding PowerPoint presentations, worksheets, lesson plans, schemes of work, videos, flash animations, interactive whiteboard tools, Promethean flipcharts, Smart notebook files, templates, printable graph paper, posters, blogs and hundreds of other resources designed especially for mathematics teachers and learners. But it takes plenty of time and a lot of fine tuned discernment to get the best out of all the stuff available. Well that’s what I have done for you! So now again, with the beginning of the new school year in the UK, I will continue to share and show you all the excellent resources that are available to you right now with just a few clicks.

Firstly, I’d like you to vote for your favourite websites that you use for planning, teaching or learning. There are some that you may not have heard of before, and there may be some I have omitted on my first list of best websites (I have tried to narrow it down from hundreds to just 25). I have taught in South Africa, the USA and the UK, so this list is not intended to be only for UK teachers, but because I teach in England, I do tend to choose the ones that I am most familiar with in my work. I am hoping to expand my efforts to include teachers from all over the world and I thank the many visitors at international schools for their regular visits.  Please come back and visit for the results as well as my final list of the best maths resources on the internet for 2013. Have fun and please vote or leave a short comment! Steve Williams (MrWilliamsMaths)