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Geometric Subitizing: A Different Kind of Number Talk
The discussion cards posted on this site can be used to discuss counting and grouping strategies with students. This could be a great way to engage students using vocabulary around numbers and shapes.
The Story of Two Words and One Simple Tweak to Get Students Talking
Teacher Sarah Van Der Werf shares some observations about attending to vocabulary in math instruction and shares a strategy for helping students access unfamiliar vocabulary in math class.
Thinking Routines
A variety of instructional strategies that can be used with various levels of math instruction. Prepared by Minnesota teacher Joe Cole.
Tweet Me, Maybe
Max Ray-Reik of the Math Forum suggests using Twitter for personalized professional development in this 5-minute talk.
Visual Patterns
A gallery of visual patterns can be used with students exploring algebra. Fawn Nguyen, the teacher behind the site, also documents her students' discussion of the patterns at mathtalks.net. You can also read about how ABE teachers are using the patterns.
Rethinking How We See Mistakes
Math teacher Audrey McLaren writes about encouraging students to make and learn from mistakes. She recommends specific strategies for changing a classroom's culture around mistakes.
Progression of Early Number and Counting
What is an instructional progression that leads to conceptual understanding of counting and numbers? This 8-minute video lays out a progression for children learning these concepts, but ABE teachers of students with beginning numeracy will find useful ideas here.
Purposeful Numberless Word Problems
In these blog posts, Brian Bushart addresses types of word problems and a strategy for instruction.
One Formula to Rule Them All
Before you teach another formula for area of a 2-D shape, check out the "applets" on this page. Teachers who do not have access to internet in their classroom can learn from the animations and do a similar demonstration with paper.
Playing Uno: The “Combine Like Terms” Version
Instructions and printables for a "combine like terms" UNO game.
Problem Strings
Problem Strings are an instructional strategy where the teacher facilitates students working through and thinking aloud about a set of math problems (for example: 5 x 6, then 5 x 60, and so on...) as a method for students to learn from each other about math strategies. The strategy offers a way to pack significant math learning into a short time in class.
Math Visuals
Imagine that a math teacher made simple, attractive visuals to spark student discussion around counting and basic operations. Berkeley Everett did - and here it is!
Instructional Strategies for Counting
These three blog posts from an elementary math coach describe instructional strategies around basic counting that may be useful for some ABE teachers addressing very basic numeracy.
Introducing the Orangamallow
A quick reading about a quick strategy a teacher uses to make "like terms" meaningful to her students.
Linear Matching
A printable matching activity for matching graphs to equations.
How much did the temperature drop? Absolute Value
Robert Kaplinsky describes the lesson this way: "This lesson uses a time lapse thermometer video as a context for discussing integer operations and absolute value. The video should provide some added meaning to the classic temperature drop problem."
If Graphing Linear Inequalities Is Aspirin, Then How Do You Create the Headache?
Brief blog post by Dan Meyer that addresses teaching students not just the procedure for how to graph linear inequalities, but providing the opportunity for them to consider why the conventional representation (graph) is an efficient way to go.
Ignite Videos – Math Forum
Ignite is a presentation format where each presenter speaks for 5 minutes. This site has some excellent talks from the Math Forum at Drexel.
Fraction Talk (and Pie)
Math teacher Chase Orton lays out the instruction he used, starting with pictures of pies, in order to get students to use benchmark fractions.
Geometric Subitizing: Counting Discussion Cards
The discussion cards posted on this site can be used to discuss counting and grouping strategies with students. This could be a great way to engage students using vocabulary around numbers and shapes.
New Resources
Tapping into Diverse Perspectives and Teaching Materials
This video discusses what “diverse perspectives and teaching materials” mean, and why this is important to learner success in the classroom. Using diverse materials makes class more relevant to learners’ lives and helps them bridge information they already know to new information. Utilizing diverse perspectives in class content is also key to building up critical thinking skills. We take a look at numerous resources that can help each of us diversify the visuals, videos, audio, and written materials we use.
Being a Warm Demander
This video takes a look at a spectrum of different kinds of teachers and asks you to reflect on where you would place yourself. We argue, based on Zaretta Hammond’s work, that the “warm demander” is the sweet spot of the spectrum which focuses on building trust with learners while also holding them to high standards to meet their learning goals. We then discuss tools to practice building relationships with learners, creating a learning partnership pact, and giving quality feedback so learners can meet their goals.
Discovering Learners’ Funds of Knowledge
In this video, we define and discuss the terms “funds of knowledge” and “an asset-based perspective.” A key element of equity in the classroom is acknowledging learners have a wealth of knowledge based on their own experiences, and we should provide opportunities for learners to be the experts in the room. Once we learn what students’ assets are, we can weave this information into class content, which helps learners be more successful. We take a look at an example lesson.
Presenter Information
Get information about stipends, reimbursements, and other instructions for presenters.
MN ABE YouTube Channel
The MN ABE YouTube Channel is a free online PD resource that you can use to explore teaching techniques and classroom ideas in action! Find out more in this MN ABE Connect newsletter article.
Upcoming ABE Events
August 6, 2024
10:00 am–12:00 pm
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Racial Equity 101 Presented by Jimmie Heags
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Registration Deadline: TUE. 8/6/24 Join presenter Jimmie Heags, Jr., MA, LSC, LPCC, LADC, ACS, for this session that exposes how race is defined and how racism impacts individuals and institutions. The session will provide learners with a framework for understanding and disrupting the attitudes and structures that perpetuate… Learn More
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August 6, 2024
6:30 pm–8:30 pm
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Volunteer Core Training Module 1: Overview of Minnesota Adult Education and Program Accountability
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Registration Deadline: TUE. 8/6/24 Participants learn about Adult Basic Education programming in Minnesota, demographics of learners, instructional content standards as well as initial and on-going assessment. This session wraps up with learner motivations, barriers and persistence. Learn More
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August 13, 2024
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Volunteer Core Training Module 2: Understanding Adult Learners
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Registration Deadline: TUE. 8/13/24 Participants develop their personal cultural awareness and learn how expectations around school culture shape how people teach and learn. Guiding principles for effectively delivering instruction to adults are also covered. Finally, participants increase their sensitivity to the challenges of learning English and developing literacy… Learn More
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