Manipulatives Overview  Using manipulatives, particularly in the math classroom, involves incorporating physical objects or materials to help students visualize and understand concepts. These tangible tools can include items like blocks, counters, geometric shapes, coins, dice, or even digital tools like … Read more

Concept Mapping Overview  Concept mapping is a graphical representation or diagram that visually organizes and illustrates the relationships between concepts or ideas. It helps students clarify their understanding of a subject, structure information, and see the connections between various components … Read more

Reciprocal Peer Tutoring Overview  Reciprocal peer tutoring is a strategy where students take on the roles of both tutor and tutee, alternating between teaching and being taught by their peers. This approach fosters collaborative learning and active engagement, allowing students … Read more

Science Talks  Overview  A “science talk” is a strategy that borrows concepts from “number talks”. Students are presented with a science problem that they need to solve on their own. Students should use hand signals to communicate their thinking process. When … Read more

Socratic Seminar Overview  A Socratic seminar is a structured discussion used to promote critical thinking, active listening, and deep understanding of a topic or text. The purpose of a Socratic seminar is to encourage participants to think critically, analyze ideas, … Read more

Math Journals Overview  Math journals, also known as math notebooks or math diaries, are tools used in the classroom to encourage reflective thinking, problem-solving skills, and the documentation of mathematical learning and experiences. They provide students with a space to … Read more

Common Core Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.7 Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts. Objective Students will be able to view a 360° video and describe the differences between Democratic-Republicans and … Read more

Next Generation Science Standard: MS-LS2-4 Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations. Objective Students will view a 360° video, define the benefits of a forest ecosystem, and identify … Read more

Common Core State Standard: CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.NBT.B.2 Understand that the two digits of a two-digit number represent amounts of tens and ones. Common Core State Standard: CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.OA.B.3 Apply properties of operations as strategies to add and subtract.2 Examples: If 8 + 3 … Read more

Common Core State Standard: CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.OA.A.1 Use addition and subtraction within 20 to solve word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing, with unknowns in all positions, e.g., by using objects, drawings, and equations … Read more