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Math Coach Chronicle Recognized by NCTM!

We are very excited to let you know that the NCTM has decided we are news worth sharing. Look for the announcement of YOUR Math Coach Chronicle in the spring issue of their News Bulletin! Congratulations to all of you who have contributed ideas and given us feedback. With continued collaboration we can only grow stronger. read more


Full Contact Math... more on mangoes 

by: Maggie Martin Connell

8:30 am. The buzz and chatter in the room subsides.
" Good morning…" says the announcer to the sixty-plus math teachers sitting at tables throughout the room, each of them hopeful that the day will be worthwhile. Introductions are delivered and the guest speaker steps up to the microphone. There is a brief pause.

" Has anyone here ever eaten a mango?" she asks.

Somewhat perplexed, the audience hesitates briefly before several hands go up. Maria's hand is not raised. read more


Reading Room 

For Kids
For Teachers

But Did You Know?
Once upon a time...

King Edgar of England decided to set the standard for measuring...

and used his own body parts!
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Is Math Education  in the U.S.  ‘Broken’?

If you haven’t already read the National Mathematics Advisory Panel report that was released this month, you may want to consider doing so. The report contains very specific recommendations for math education that affect each and every teacher of the subject in the U.S.
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Pass It On
(Tips from Teachers)

Dave Thurston from Austin Texas says...

In promoting dialogue among my students as they investigate and solve problems, I have discovered a technique that works well for me.
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Growing Ideas

Grow with us! Any suggestions about how we can do that together will be considered.

Has this issue of the Chronicle been helpful to you? What would you like to see in other issues? Please email suggestions to... This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Make a Memory...
Build a Model

Saying it doesn’t always mean understanding it. You can probably say “nuclear fusion”, and you may be able to use it in the right context, even though you may have only the slightest understanding of it.
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Future Topics

The Chronicle team has put together a list of possible topics to pursue in future issues. What would you like to see? Do you have other suggestions?

  • Speaking of Math (what you SAY makes all the difference)
  • Bridging the Gap Between Manips and Symbols
  • Expectations for Teachers…What is Fair?
  • How Do You Know That They Know? (Assessment)
  • Building Games that TEACH
  • The Fine Art of Asking Great Questions
  • Building Heavy-Weight Mental Math Strategies
  • Place Value AGAIN?
  • Fractions That Make Sense
  • Basic Facts For a Lifetime

Please take a moment to let us know what might be useful to YOU. Your suggestions are helpful in shaping the Chronicle to fit your needs.

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Dear Maggie Maggie_sall

First of all I want to thank you for work in bringing us together through the Math Coach Chronicle. I am looking forward to watching it grow. I have shared it with my colleagues and am encouraging them to participate in that growth.

This year I have made a commitment to myself to improve the way I teach math.
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Just for Fun

What is the definition of a forum?

click for answer

Until Next Time

Think about this powerful quote by Eric Muller and what it means for you and your students.

" What math education will be for one child for one year will depend on what the child's teacher believes, knows and does - and doesn't believe, doesn't know and doesn't do."

Eric Muller

In the context of math education, how are ‘believing’, ‘knowing’ and ‘doing’ linked?
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Playing for Practice
(Games that teach)

As classroom practitioners, we may at times be reluctant to use games as part of the learning process.

There exists a perception of games as being somewhat ‘frivolous’ and having no place where ‘real math’ is being done. But a well constructed math game can offer...
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