I am sharing the book I am currently reading: Math Exchanges: Guiding Young Mathematicians in Small Group Meetings
. So far, I absolutely love it! It is all about running math workshop.
. So far, I absolutely love it! It is all about running math workshop. 
Kassia (the author) makes some wonderful points about how math can be taught very similarly to reader's workshop. We recognize the value of the workshop model for reading, but we often don't translate that into math.
Kassia really focuses on getting her students to use strategies and persevere through problem solving. She believes the teacher should be more of a facilitator, and I definitely agree. She really focuses on mathematics as a way of understanding the world, not just a way to get "the right answer."
All of her lessons are standards based and begin with a whole group lesson. Then, students work in centers, or make choices (similar to the Daily 5) and work together to problem solve, while she pulls small groups. All of these activities are based upon the particular standard of the whole group lesson. When she introduces the lesson, she focuses on a "mathematician statement," which I absolutely love. They focus on what mathematicians do.
Something else I really love about her approach is the way she groups students. She doesn't necessarily group students by ability in her small groups. When they work with her, she wants her students to share a variety of strategies. For this reason, she groups a variety of ability levels. Then, they are able to learn from each other, while she simply facilitates. It sounds like it works very well for her.
I am really looking forward to reading more of this great book. I would highly recommend you check it out! Also, we are discussing the book Monday nights at 8 pm EST, if you are interested. Already, we have shared some great math workshop resources. Click here to join!
I hadn't heard of this book, but it does sound like something I need to read. Thanks for posting about it!
ReplyDeleteHunter's Tales from Teaching
Thanks so much for linking up! I would have loved to have used this model for teaching math when I was in the classroom. I did try to be more of a facilitator for learning as they explored the math concepts. The students seemed to have a deeper understanding of math by the end of the year.
ReplyDeleteAndrea
Reading Toward the Stars
I am not teaching math this year or next, but when and if I ever do, I think I would definitely use a strategy like this. I didn't learn well (still don't!) from a lecture approach so I could see how other kids like me would be better off with a group approach.
ReplyDelete-Maria
Everyone deServes to Learn
Thank you for the post, Amy! I just ordered on Amazon <3. I have been doing guided math for the past few years, but I definitely need some new ideas and strategies! Thanks for the tip :O
ReplyDeleteTracey
The Teacher’s Chair