Math Teacher’s Survival Guide Practical Strategies, Management Techniques, and Reproducibles for New and Experienced Teachers, Grades 5–12

Abstract

Contents About This Book..........................................................................................v The Authors..............................................................................................vii Acknowledgments.......................................................................................ix Section One: Embracing the Profession of Teacher of Mathematics......................................................................................1 Traits of GreatMath Teachers ...................................................................... 1 Meeting State Standards and DistrictMath Goals ........................................... 3 School Policies and Procedures You Need to Know .......................................... 4 Professionalism and Common Sense.............................................................. 7 Professionalism Outside the Classroom ......................................................... 9 Maintaining Your Professional Expertise ........................................................ 9 Quick Review for Embracing the Profession of Teacher of Mathematics.............12 Section Two: Before the First Day.....................................................15 Starting the Year Early ................................................................................15 Things to Do Before School Starts (Reproducible) ......................................................17 Greeting Administrators, Colleagues, and Support Staff ..................................18 Getting a Head Start on Paperwork ..............................................................18 Your Schedule and Class Lists ......................................................................19 Seating Charts ...........................................................................................20 Seating Chart Grid (Reproducible) .....................................................................21 Seating Options ..........................................................................................22 Setting Up Your Classroom .........................................................................23 xixii CONTENTS Arranging Furniture to Enhance Math Learning ......................................................23 Checking Equipment ....................................................................................23 Checking Materials and Supplies .......................................................................24 Hall Passes (Reproducible)..............................................................................26 Classroom Sign-Out Sheet (Reproducible)..............................................................27 Decorating Your Room..................................................................................28 Preparing for the First Day ..........................................................................29 Setting Goals.............................................................................................29 Rules and Requirements of Your Classes................................................................29 Rules and Requirements of Ms. Smith’s Algebra I Class................................................31 Activities for the First Day...............................................................................33 Making Copies Before the Copy Machine Crunch ......................................................33 Being Connected: Checking Communications Systems .................................................34 Especially for the First-Year Math Teacher .....................................................35 Learning the Layout of Your School.....................................................................35 The Value of Orientation ................................................................................36 Reviewing Handbooks ..................................................................................37 Finding a Mentor........................................................................................37 Quick Review for Before the First Day...........................................................38 Section Three: TheMath Teacher’s Tools of the Trade..................41 Basic Supplies, Materials, and Equipment......................................................41 Common Math Manipulatives .....................................................................42 Sources forMathMaterials and Manipulatives...............................................45 Technology ...............................................................................................46 Calculators...............................................................................................46 Computers ...............................................................................................47 Interactive Whiteboards .................................................................................49 Resources on the Internet............................................................................50 Sources of Supplementary Teaching Materials ...............................................53 Quick Review for the Math Teacher’s Tools of the Trade..................................54 Section Four: Becoming a Valued Member of the Staff ..................55 Working Effectively with Others...................................................................56 The Chain of Command in Your School ................................................................56 Working with Other Teachers ...........................................................................57 Working with Para-Educators ..........................................................................58 Working with Support Staff .............................................................................59xiv CONTENTS Long-Term Absences ....................................................................................95 Essential Components of a Sub Plan for Your Math Class .............................................95 Quick Review for Organizing for Success.......................................................96 Section Six: Planning a Great First Day............................................99 The First-Day Basics ...................................................................................99 If You Have a Homeroom............................................................................. 100 Record of Materials Returned by Students (Reproducible) .......................................... 102 Double-Checking Materials and Supplies............................................................. 104 Keys to Being Calm and Composed ................................................................... 104 Welcoming Students at the Classroom Door .......................................................... 105 Introducing Yourself................................................................................... 105 Getting Started ........................................................................................ 105 Providing an Overview of Your Math Class .................................................. 106 Responsibilities of Math Students (Reproducible) .................................................... 107 Learning About Your Students................................................................... 109 Facts About You (Reproducible) ...................................................................... 110 Name Cards ........................................................................................... 111 Circles of Me: A Getting-Acquainted Activity......................................................... 111 Circles of Me (Reproducible) .......................................................................... 113 Providing a Math Activity on the First Day .................................................. 114 Number Puzzlers...................................................................................... 114 Handing Out Texts, Workbooks, and OtherMaterials ................................... 115 Quick Review for Having a Great First Day .................................................. 115 Section Seven:Managing YourMath Classroom ..........................117 Establishing Efficient Classroom Routines................................................... 117 Taking Attendance .................................................................................... 118 Dealing with Students Who Arrive Late to Class ..................................................... 118 Smoothly Handling Requests to Leave the Classroom ................................................ 118 Distributing and Collecting Materials ................................................................ 119 Procedures for Student Computer Use ................................................................ 121 Computer Sign-Up Sheet (Reproducible) ............................................................. 122 Computer Etiquette (Reproducible) .................................................................. 124 Achieving a Smooth Flow of Classroom Traffic ............................................ 125 Creating a ProductiveMath Class............................................................... 126 Beginning Class with a Math Do-Now................................................................ 127 Agendas or Assignment Pads.......................................................................... 128 Classwork.............................................................................................. 128 Group Work ........................................................................................... 129CONTENTS xv How to Work in a Math Group (Reproducible) ...................................................... 131 Homework............................................................................................. 132 Math Journals ......................................................................................... 133 Math Journal Writing Prompts (Reproducible) ...................................................... 135 Math Notebooks ....................................................................................... 136 Tips for Keeping a Math Notebook (Reproducible) .................................................. 137 Procedures for Making Up Missed Work ............................................................. 138 Math Makeup Work (Reproducible) ................................................................. 140 Procedures for Ending Class........................................................................... 141 Helping Your Students Learn to Follow Directions ....................................... 142 Quick Review for Managing Your Classroom ............................................... 143 Section Eight: Building a Positive Environment for Learning Math ...................................................................................................145 The Physical Classroom ............................................................................ 145 Setting a Tone of Respect and Courtesy....................................................... 147 Respect and Courtesy Guidelines (Reproducible)..................................................... 149 Preventing and Responding to Bullying....................................................... 150 Creating a PositiveMath Environment for Diverse Students .......................... 152 Gifted Math Students.................................................................................. 152 Underachieving Students.............................................................................. 154 Mainstreamed Special-Needs Students ............................................................... 155 Students with 504 Plans............................................................................... 158 Students with Attention Deficit Disorders ............................................................ 159 Students Who Are at Risk of Dropping Out of School ................................................ 162 Economically Disadvantaged Students ............................................................... 164 Students Who Speak Little or No English ............................................................. 165 Avoiding Gender and Ethnic Bias inMath Class ........................................... 167 Appreciating Cultural Diversity.................................................................. 168 Helping Students Overcome Math Anxiety .................................................. 169 Steps to Beat Math Anxiety (Reproducible) .......................................................... 170 Quick Review for Building a Positive Environment for Learning Math............. 171 Section Nine: Interacting with Your Students ...............................173 Maintaining a Professional Role with Your Students ..................................... 173 Your Appearance...................................................................................... 174 Your Language and Tone ............................................................................. 174 Your Behavior ......................................................................................... 175 Avoiding Potential Trouble ........................................................................... 176 Discretion and Your Personal Life .................................................................... 176xvi CONTENTS Getting to Know Your Students ................................................................. 177 Communication and Being a Good Listener.......................................................... 178 Tips for Positive Communication in Math Class (Reproducible) .................................... 180 Guiding Students to Become SuccessfulMath Students ................................ 181 How to Become a Successful Math Student (Reproducible) .......................................... 182 Helping Students Develop Math Study Skills ......................................................... 183 How to Improve Your Math Study Skills (Reproducible) ............................................ 184 How to Read a Math Textbook ....................................................................... 185 Guidelines for Reading Your Math Text (Reproducible) ............................................. 186 How to Prepare for and Do Well on Math Tests...................................................... 187 How to Prepare for Math Tests (Reproducible) ...................................................... 188 Math Test-Taking Tips (Reproducible) ............................................................... 190 How to Conduct SuccessfulMath Conferences with Students ........................ 191 Preventing and Dealing with Disruptions .................................................... 192 Helping Students Cope with the Pressures of Being a Student ........................ 194 Serious Problems Requiring Immediate Action ...................................................... 195 Quick Review for Interacting with Your Students ......................................... 196 Section Ten: Designing EffectiveMath Lessons and Activities .....................................................................................199 Making Time for Planning ........................................................................ 199 Planning a Variety of Math Lessons and Activities......................................... 200 The Foundation of SuccessfulMath Lessons and Activities ............................ 201 StateMath Standards ................................................................................. 201 District and School Math Goals and Objectives....................................................... 202 Curriculum ............................................................................................ 202 The Principles, Standards, and Focal Points of the NCTM........................................... 203 Objectives .............................................................................................. 203 Resources for Planning Math Lessons and Activities ................................................. 204 Components of EffectiveMath Plans and Activities....................................... 205 Addressing the Needs of Diverse Learners ............................................................ 205 Building on Prior Knowledge ......................................................................... 207 Including Material for Critical Thinking in Your Math Plans ....................................... 208 Incorporating Technology in Math Plans ............................................................. 209 Providing a Means for Assessment .................................................................... 210 Types of Math Plans ................................................................................. 211 Basic Course of Study Planning Guide (Reproducible) .............................................. 213 Unit Plans ............................................................................................. 215 Unit Plan Format (Reproducible) .................................................................... 217 Sample Unit Plan ..................................................................................... 220CONTENTS xvii Daily Lesson Plans .................................................................................... 222 Daily Lesson Plan Format (Reproducible) ........................................................... 224 Sample Daily Lesson Plan ............................................................................ 227 Overcoming Common Problems in Planning ............................................... 229 Pacing.................................................................................................. 229 Pull-Out Programs .................................................................................... 230 Lessons and Activities for Special Days ............................................................... 231 Adjusting Lesson Plans ................................................................................ 232 Avoiding Planning Pitfalls ............................................................................ 233 Incorporating Literature into YourMath Class............................................. 234 Elementary/Middle School............................................................................ 235 Middle School/High School............................................................................ 236 High School ............................................................................................ 237 IncorporatingWriting into Your Math Class................................................ 238 The Writing Process (Reproducible) .................................................................. 240 Quick Review for Designing EffectiveMath Lessons and Activities .................. 241 Section Eleven: Providing Effective Math Instruction ..................243 Being a Facilitator of Learning ................................................................... 243 Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners Through Instruction .......................... 244 Using Various InstructionalMethods for Teaching ....................................... 245 Fostering Problem-Solving Skills in Your Students ....................................... 247 Steps for Solving Math Word Problems (Reproducible) .............................................. 248 Motivating Your Students ......................................................................... 249 Improving Your Instructional Delivery Skills ............................................... 250 Speaking ............................................................................................... 250 Body Language ........................................................................................ 251 Using the Traditional Board, Overhead Projector, or Interactive Whiteboard....................... 252 Handling Math Manipulatives Effectively............................................................ 253 Using Technology with Expertise...................................................................... 254 Managing Interruptions and Getting Back on Task.................................................. 257 Monitoring Learning During Instruction............................................................. 259 Videotaping Your Delivery and Building Confidence ................................................ 260 Quick Review for Providing EffectiveMath Instruction ................................. 261 Section Twelve: Evaluating the Progress of Your Students ..........263 Devising a Fair System of Grading .............................................................. 263 Ways to Assess Student Learning................................................................ 264 Assessment Through Tests and Quizzes ............................................................... 265 Assessment Through Open-Ended Problems .......................................................... 266