From the Southwest Corner

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I have made a commitment this year to share what is working and also to contribute to ideas of Building Thinking Classrooms, as we anticipate Peter Liljedahl’s appearance at our MCTM Spring Conference.

In this article, I list a few things.  First, I have decided to recommit blogging because one, it helps me process what I do in the classroom, and two, someone else may benefit from seeing my observations. If you wish, you may visit Blackboard Notes for more information. Secondly, it seems that the 8th grade Algebra 1 students I teach really value gaming, puzzling, and problem solving.  One of my favorite sites to go to is Andrew Stadel’s Estimation180.com site.  

As I mentioned in my blog numerous times, I like the notice and wonder approach to using Mr. Stadel’s estimation prompts.  The students have gotten so accustomed to this routine (on Tuesdays), that they are outright frustrated if robbed of this opportunity. Granted, I may include some bribery or prizes, as homework passes and other treats have become gold to them.  What really is fun is hearing the students talk mathematically, and making a number sense of their responses, oftentimes creating a number talk of its own.  

If you are looking for classroom warm up ideas, I encourage you to check it out.  You literally could do one estimation per day (there are over 200 prompts), but I make it my practice to switch things up and do a different activity each day at the beginning of the period.  What ever you decide to do, do it with purpose!

Cory Sheldahl, Region 2 Director.