AIMS Center
If I Could Turn Back Time
As we come to the end of another school year, our team here at the AIMS Center has been spending time reflecting on the past year of learning from students. We were asked the question, “If you could go back into the classroom, what would you do differently in regards to your math instruction?” I… Continue Reading
Math Super Heroes – A Reflection on Early Mathematics
I have just concluded my second year at the AIMS Center for Math and Science Education in which our Center’s main focus is to learn how young children come to know math. Through our partnership with two Head Start early learning programs, the four AIMS early math research associates observed two sites that housed 10… Continue Reading
Partners in Education
We have talked a lot about partners in the work we are doing here at the AIMS Center. Typically, we refer to our Head Start or school partners, but today I would like to broaden that description. I was invited to join a statewide group known as the California Community of Practice around Mathematics, sponsored… Continue Reading
As The Craze Turns, My Two Cents Worth
Fidget spinners have suddenly become one of the hottest topics in education right now. They are the current craze with students all over the United States. Touted as a low-tech toy, they are perceived as being either helpful or harmful, depending who you ask. Countless articles, blogs, podcasts, interviews, etc. can be found each day… Continue Reading
Small Misunderstanding, Big Difference in Meaning
After one month as a missionary in Argentina I was ready to raise the dead. Or at least that is what the woman at the door must have thought. Let me explain. As we were proselyting door to door, it was my turn to talk to whoever answered the door. A woman happened to answer… Continue Reading
The Importance of the Maker Movement to Education
A couple of weeks ago, my family and I made our annual spring trek to San Mateo, California to attend the Granddaddy of all Maker Faires. This faire, in its eleventh year, is the flagship of the Maker movement. In 2006, much to everyone’s surprise, 22,000 people gathered to participate in the inaugural event. Now,… Continue Reading
Telling Stories
Our early math team has just finished up our work at several preschool sites for this school year and we’ve been reflecting on our experiences thus far. In conversations with teachers about what we’ve learned and how this experience has deepened our understanding of children’s mathematics, we’ve told lots of stories about particular children that… Continue Reading
Diana
On May 17, 2017, Diana Herrington, who taught at Clovis High School in the Clovis Unified School District for 30 years, tragically passed away. She was one of our most inspirational and influential mathematics teachers and math teacher educators, and her loss will be felt throughout the Central San Joaquin Valley, and the whole state… Continue Reading
Success is Collaboration
I just read a good article about teaching students to collaborate, and just last week I shared some thoughts about students and collaboration. For three decades or more we have been working on being better at teaching students to collaborate, as well as working to be better at it ourselves. Regardless of where we are… Continue Reading
Finding Meaningful Mathematics at 4 Years Old
My 4-year-old grandson and I have been spending a lot of time together. Without him realizing, we have been doing and talking more mathematics around the house. The other day I was rebuilding a gate and while I was measuring a board to cut, he picked up the tape measure wanting to help out. So… Continue Reading
