This document provides a summary of 10 strategies for strengthening mathematics in the classroom presented by Janice Vaughn. The strategies are: 1) Create a mathematics environment in the classroom; 2) Plan to connect with parents about mathematics; 3) Research mathematics websites for students; 4) Supply mathematics manipulatives; 5) Have students explain their thinking in mathematics; 6) Seek opportunities for professional growth in mathematics; 7) Encourage collaboration around problem solving in mathematics; 8) Integrate mathematics across other subjects; 9) Model teacher authentic thinking in mathematics; 10) Share successes in mathematics. The document then provides more details and examples for each of the 10 strategies.

1. Janice Vaughn

2. Ten Ways to Strengthen the Mathematics
in Your Classroom
 I am a first grade teacher who had the privilege of collaborating with other first grade
teachers to develop and write the new math curriculum for the University City School
District. This journey included reading the “Best Practice” books and researching the
latest trends in teaching mathematics.
 The objective is to understand the ways that teachers can strengthen the mathematics
in their classroom. I have listed ten strategies that have helped me improve as a
mathematics teacher.
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10 Ways to Strengthen the Mathematics in Your Classroom
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your journey, and I hope you find the information valuable.

3. 1 Create a mathematics environment
2 Plan to connect with parent about
mathematics
3 Research mathematics websites for
students
4 Supply mathematics manipulatives
5 Have students explain their thinking in
mathematics
6 Seek opportunities for professional
growth in mathematics
7 Encourage collaboration around problem
solving in mathematics
8 Integrate mathematics in all subjects
9 Model teacher authentic thinking in
mathematics
10 Share your success in mathematics

4. Create a Mathematics Environment
Suggestions:
Build a seasonal
mathematic theme bulletin
board
List careers in mathematics
 Post a real-world
mathematical problem of
the day or week
Monthly “Show and Tell” in
Mathematics
Fill your classroom with
examples of
mathematics being
used in the real world.
Estimate
how many
jelly beans
are in the
jar?

6. Connect with parents:
• provide monthly
newsletters about
current mathematical
topics and vocabulary.
• host a parent night to
introduce mathematical
curriculum

8. Research Mathematics Websites
for Students
There are several research-
based mathematical websites
for students to use at school
and home. Click on the links
to view the websites and
their contents.
http://www.discoveryeducation.com
Probes and Interventions
http://www.mathmagician.org
Math fluency
http://www.ABCYA.com
Learning math games
http://www.xtramath.com
Learning math games
http://www.coolmath4kids.com
Learning math games
http://www.IXL.com
Learning math games

10. Teacher Should:
 Take an inventory of
materials to make a student
set of manipulatives
 Organize your manipulatives
according to your
mathematic topics
 Model proper use of the
manipulatives
Students Should:
 Follow expectations for
taking care of manipulatives
 Explore manipulatives for
proper use
 Turn-and talk about what
they learned from modeling

12. Have Students Explain
their Thinking in Mathematics
Use Rigorous Questioning
• Explain your
thinking?
• Why do you think
that?
• Why? How?
• What strategy did
you use?
Check for Understanding IATs
Use non verbal informal
assessment techniques:
Empire – one student answers
the question; the other students
agree or disagree with non-verbal
cues.
Thumbs Up- students use thumb
in up position for agreeing, down
position for disagreeing, and side-
to-side for I don’t know.
Dry Erase boards – students
answer using dry erase boards.

14. Seek Opportunities for Professional
Growth in Mathematics
Suggested Reading:
• Better Learning –
Douglas Fisher and
Nancy Frey
A Framework for
the Gradual
Release of
Responsibility

16. Encourage Collaboration Around
Problem Solving in Mathematics
• Model how to collaborate
around math.
• Teach students the
dialogue and social rules.
• View video on using
Kagan Strategies.
• https://youtu.be/S0s_qxJDuas

18. Integrate Mathematics
Across the Curriculum

20. Model Teacher Authentic
Thinking in Mathematics
Teacher models thinking for
students during problem-
solving opportunities.
Sample of teacher solving a
problem using authentic
thinking…
Problem:
Amy needs to bring 2 cookies
for each of her classmates.
There are 15 students in her
class. How many cookies?
“I will make a plan to solve this problem. First,
I will read the problem again to make sure I
pick out the important details. Next, I will
analyze the problem to see if I add, subtract,
multiply, or divide. I will make a number
sentence for 15 X 2 = ? I will do this because
Amy needs to bring 2 cookies for each
student and there are 15 students. Then, I will
make a picture of students with two cookies
each. Next, I will count the cookies to double
check my answer. Finally, I will write a
sentence that tells how many cookies Amy
will bring. Amy will bring 30 cookies for all her
classmates.”

21. We
did it!