Unit Construction
What’s That in My Reflection?
Most of us, when hear the word reflection, think about what we see when we look in a mirror, but it can also mean to think back on an event. For example, if I asked you to reflect on the food choices you made today, you would have to think back on the meals that… Continue Reading
Building Understanding in Mathematics
This week I’m writing from Mexico. Every year, my church travels down to build houses for families in need. We work with local churches to supply building materials and manpower to build simple homes. The work could not occur without the help of local pastors, who help by identifying the families and local contacts we… Continue Reading
New Adventure
In my role as a Research Associate here at the AIMS Center, I have been asked many times how I would have changed my instruction in the classroom if I knew then what I know now. This is a question that I have asked myself as well. After teaching for over 11 years I know… Continue Reading
What Did I Learn?
Now that the school year has ended, our research team has been gathering our data from time spent working with students and analyzing it to answer the question: “what have you learned this year?” More importantly, I wanted to figure out what I have learned that will actually enable us to help kids. After completing… Continue Reading
Redefining Productivity in the Classroom
Dad: “Hi, son. How was school today?” Son: “Good.” Dad: “What did you learn?” Son: “Nothing.” As a son and a dad, I’ve played both roles in this exchange. I remember my dad asking me what I learned at school that day. In retrospect, I think the reason that I often answered “nothing” came down… Continue Reading
Learning and My New Role
Today I want to write about how the mathematics of students helps me to see my role as a teacher and learning a bit differently. In my last few posts, I have been telling you the story of Grace. Today, I wanted to share Grace’s story because it is an example of a time where… Continue Reading
Who Benefits From the Demo?
I will never be the strongest woman in the room. I don’t mean that in any kind of cognitive or social-emotional way. I mean that I am physically not a very strong person. Nevertheless, I work out as often as I can and I have spent most of my life in physical therapy. A few… Continue Reading
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
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
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
