Neural Connections: A Visualization

In Chapter 2 of my book (in progress, soon to be sent to the publisher), I discuss the amazing process that happens in our brains when they make neural connections while learning. Here is a brief video visualization of a group of neurons building connections between them, the process that happens whenever we learn something […]

Pi Day: Pi Music and Classroom Activities

With March (and spring!) right around the corner, many teachers are already thinking about celebrating Pi Day, or March 14. This is a great day to celebrate how much fun math can be. I was inspired all over again by this music video using Pi to make music.   If you would like to make […]

Video: MSNBC Report on Singapore Math Model Drawing

MSNBC ran a piece on May 3 about third-grade students learning math using Singapore Math. This report outlines the importance of model drawing for problem solving, and of parent understanding to be on board with it. The report is well done, except it gives the mistaken impression that the only thing that makes Singapore Math […]

Video: Learning to Calculate With Ten-Frames: Singapore Math

A video demonstrating how ten frames can be used to develop number sense was posted at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQxS5Z3UHKk&feature=player_embedded. (They disabled embedded on external sites, so you will have to click to see it.) The video shows progression from counting-on with touching, or the concrete stage, to the pictorial stage of being able to look at ten […]

TERC/Investigations: Comparison with Singapore Math

A great article titled Waiting for Supermath came through my inbox today. It includes commentary on a video (below) of a third grader showing how she solves a four-digit addition problem using what she learns at school, or the Investigations curriculum, versus what her mother (a math intervention specialist) teaches at home, the traditional “stacking” […]

Fostering Creativity in Math

We hear plenty of talk about teaching and reinforcing basic skills in math. Yes, these are very important, but computation skills aren’t what lead to breakthroughs and new discoveries; new ways of thinking do, right? This young woman exemplifies real creativity in mathematical thinking. I find this so inspiring. Investigating mathematical principles through art: what […]

Math Joke Animation

It snowed today – a lot – canceling all my plans and making it a perfect day to get things done at home. So I created the short movie below. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it! This one was taken – and highly modified – from a joke told […]

Video: Our NaNoWriMo YWP anthology is famous!

Imagine my delight today to find out from one of my young writers that my students’ anthology from last year had been featured on the NaNoWriMo Young Writers’ Program blog in late October. I’m kind of surprised we didn’t hear about it sooner, but it’s inspiring to discover it now, since so many of us […]