Posts by Steve Wyborney
Stepping Into Each Other’s Classrooms
Powerful instructional practices are occurring all around us. Sometimes those practices are in classrooms only a few feet away from us. So very close. There may be teachers just a few moments down the hallway who are using highly effective strategies that could quickly empower our own instruction and positively impact our students. We know…
Read MoreNYABS Part 4: An Average Algorithm Leads to Deep Thinking
Algorithms typically route us completely around opportunities for deeper thinking. However, in this post, we see that using icons to represent a variety of strategies produces an opportunity to richly compare and contrast strategies, including an algorithm, to see what we can learn. This post features 10 questions that can be used in this scenario…
Read MoreTouring KenKen
KenKen puzzles caught my attention recently while I was browsing through Marilyn Burns’ blog post. Right away I was able to detect the power of these clever puzzles and their potential for developing number sense. I was pleasantly surprised to find an entire site devoted to KenKen puzzles. So, I set out to take a tour……
Read More16 Misconceptions
I wrote these 16 images of common misconceptions before the September 17, 2015 #elemmathchat about “Mathematical Misconceptions.” If you would like to use them in class, either play the silent video below and pause at key moments, or download the PowerPoint file here. Feel free to leave comments, subscribe, or simply explore the rest…
Read MoreNYABS Part 3: Number Trading
It’s possible you’ll feel that Number Trading is more like Leveling Off or that it is more like Passing Out. Take a look at the Number Trading strategy. You’ll understand a new way to find the mean, and then you’ll begin to wonder how these strategies are (and are not) related to one another. This…
Read MoreNYABS Part 2: Passing Out
While you’ll initially see the Passing Out strategy, ultimately you will find yourself looking at two strategy icons which will help you to compare and contrast two strategies that are very similar. Or are they very different? Not Your Average Blog Post Series NYABS Part 1: Leveling Off NYABS Part 2: Passing Out NYABS…
Read MoreNYABS Part 1: Leveling Off
When you begin watching the video you may agree that this is not your average blog series. Or maybe, it is. In this clip, pay particular attention to the challenge. Find out if you are able to nearly instantly level off. NYABS Part 1: Leveling Off NYABS Part 2: Passing Out NYABS Part 3: Number…
Read More5 × 9 Is More Than 45
Even though some students and teachers will chase multiplication facts, such as 5 x 9 = 45, in pursuit of memorizing the products, there is so much more waiting to be learned… Thank you for visiting my blog! You may also be interested in Experiencing Subitizing, which launched the Subitizing Series. The Animated…
Read MoreThe Lattice Discussion
I put this together very, very quickly in response to a discussion that included questions about lattice multiplication. You’ll see me dabbling with three models in order to find the connections among all of them. You may also be interested in Experiencing Subitizing, The Animated Multiplication Table, or Exploring Multiplication.
Read MoreThese Dots Will Grow On You
Nearing the end of the Subitizing Series, I wanted to take time to detail a single math question, while placing an emphasis on noticing. The result is the video below: These Dots Will Grow on You. I encourage you to download the resources and to use them in class while providing your students with plenty…
Read MoreBeyond Subitizing
In this 4th post in the Subitizing Series I’ll use 4 simple dots to illustrate what happens when we provide students with space to notice. There is also an image at the end that is one of my favorite patterns to use with students. I hope you will use it in your classroom! Enjoy! THE…
Read MoreHow to Make Quick Subitizing Images + 3 Free Resources
You are moments away from creating your own quick images. Watch the video, download the three free resources, and use your new images to promote rich mathematical discourse in your classroom. 1. Experiencing Subitizing 2. The Boundary of Subitizing, “The Rewind Version” 3. How to Make Quick Subitizing Images + 3 Free Resources 4. Beyond…
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