About the Author: Rusty Bresser
Imagine a discussion during math class. The teacher poses a problem; the class solves it mentally and shares their thinking with a partner. During the discussion that follows, a student offers an incorrect answer, and...
On a recent weekend, I was working on a math problem with a friend of mine. The problem included several different questions, beginning with asking us what we noticed and wondered about the following arch...
Have you ever wondered if some letters in our alphabet are used more or less than other letters? Think for a few seconds, and make a guess. If you wanted to find out, what would...
Why use children’s literature in math class? This isn’t a new question, and I’m glad that teachers have come to see the value in reading a story to either launch or summarize a math lesson....
Do you remember your teacher in grade school telling you to “always start adding in the one’s place”? It seemed like a rule that you had to follow, whether it made sense to you or...
Why pose ready-made word problems for students to solve when they can create and then solve ones themselves? Having students create their own math word problems shifts them from passive calculators to active mathematical thinkers....
Recently, a colleague and I were working with a group of first graders engaged in Choral Counting. At the break, we were reflecting on the lesson with the classroom teacher. I listened as my colleague...
One of my favorite lessons starts with a cat named Sid who lives in a house on Aristotle Street. But he also lives at five other houses on the same street, so he can eat...
I was recently visiting some friends at their house in the desert, and one of them was making pancakes for breakfast. “Hey, I’m looking at two recipes,” he called out from the kitchen. “One calls...
What is Choral Counting? Choral Counting is a routine that helps students notice patterns in our number system and develop their math discourse skills. Choral Counting can also support students’ understanding of counting concepts, place value, and...
