Early Math
Turning to Conversation
“I believe we can change the world if we start listening to one another again…Simple, truthful conversation where we each have a chance to speak, we each feel heard, and we each listen well.” -Margaret Wheatley Teaching requires reflective conversation–before, during, and after. In this short blog post, I’d like to share a few quotes… Continue Reading
In Their Voices (Part 5)
Lisa Marquez is a morning teacher for a 3 to 4 year old class in Reedley, California. She has been a teacher for 10 years; however, this is her first year with Head Start. Lisa began working in education by being involved in a K-5 after school program. When she completed her Bachelor of Arts… Continue Reading
In Their Voice (Part 4)
Angelina Parades is the teacher of a 3-year-old class at Head Start in the Central Valley of California. She began her career in early learning education as a high school senior 11 years ago. She is dedicated to the parents and children whom she serves and is passionate about the work she does. Her dedication… Continue Reading
In Their Voices (Part 3)
As I walk into Mrs. Martinez’s preschool classroom, I am immediately taken in by a sense of warmth and sunshine instead of the cold, foggy January day outside. Inside the classroom, I see children working in small groups, huddled around adults, playing with objects, building towers, and reading books. I hear laughter, questions, and the… Continue Reading
In Their Voices (Part 2)
This is the first in the series of blog posts that was written in conjunction with an early learning professional employed at one of our partnering Head Start preschool programs. Corin Villagomez has been a Head Start teacher for three years and she works with three and four-year-olds in a full-day program. She will be… Continue Reading
In Their Voices (Part 1)
In his pivotal work, Pedagogy of the Oppressed, Paulo Freire described the importance of the human voice in dialogue: Human existence cannot be silent, nor can it be nourished by false words, but only by true words, with which men and women transform the world. To exist, humanly, is to name the world, to change… Continue Reading
In Their Own Words
As the Early Math team moves forward in our work with preschool teachers, we are in the process of collecting data not only on the children’s mathematics development, but also the teacher’s growth in pedagogy and content. In an effort to document these changes we are in the process of completing midyear teacher interviews. While… Continue Reading
Changing the Narrative
Many times, we hear phrases from teachers and students such as “I am not good at math.” “Math was (is) a very hard subject for me.” It has become socially acceptable to say, “I hate math!” Why do some people have these limiting beliefs of themselves as doers or learners of mathematics? For the past… Continue Reading
Let the Journey Begin…Spatial here we come
Have you ever played Tetris or Battleship? Moved furniture through tight spaces? Took a shortcut on your way home or used landmarks as a means of direction? Played with Legos? If you have, then you have used spatial reasoning skills. What does spatial reasoning have to do with my focus on early mathematics? My simple… Continue Reading
Reflecting and Growing
The end of the school year in June and the end of the calendar year in December both bring an obvious opportunity for educators to reflect on personal growth and positive impact. Educators tend to ask themselves, “Did I grow as an educator this year? Did I make a positive difference and maximize the children’s… Continue Reading
