I'm reading a new book called Creating Cultures of Thinking and taking an online mini-course about it; so get ready because you know this kind of stuff gets me all JAZZED!
In my reading for one of my assignments I came across a quote that connected to the thinking we've been doing about math for the past few years due to our new learning about the Science of Reading. We've started to feel like our approaches to teaching reading have become more explicit and that our approaches to math are all about wonder and discovery. So, when I read this quote I couldn't help but think that this is was we've been looking for in math. "We must give students supports that they can hold on to as they take the lead-not just push them onto the path and hope they find their way." (Fisher and Frey 2008) I think that's how I have felt about math, like we are just pushing them onto the path and hoping they figure out the strategies that they need to be problem solvers. The way Fisher and Frey describe teaching and learning is exactly what we're striving for. We want to build independent learners but we must provide them supports and guidance so they can take the lead. I see this happening here at JW through our use of tiny targets. Students know exactly what they are learning and are able to determine if they've mastered what they need to. We have shifted our teaching into explicit instruction of basic facts and are ensuring that students are aware of a engaged in their journey to mastery. As you teach over the next few days, I challenge you to reflect on times you gave students supports that they could hold on to as they took the lead versus times you may just be setting on the path and hoping they get to where you want them to be!
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