Unique Teaching Techniques by Maidie

Shopping for Math A mathematical mall adventure for grades 3-6!
It’s okay to shop ‘til you drop... as long as you’re solving math problems along the way! The shopping mall was the most frequently selected site when students were surveyed regarding their favorite places to go and things to do. As a culture, we experience the local shopping center or mall in a variety of ways: we park, we shop, we visit, we walk, we eat, we get entertained, we spend money! Mathematics is at the core of many of these choices. It is appropriate to help students visualize numbers in a context that will be familiar and constantly reinforced. Students participate in activities in which they develop number sense in and around the shopping mall. Hands on activities deal with size and space, estimation, measurement, graphs and applications involving money, computations and percent (for the older ones) all in a fun setting! Come prepared to be involved in "hand-on" learning. (new session)

Seeing spots? Add them. Do it with Dominoes! (K-gr 2)
This VERY active "hands on" session will explore using dominoes for early math and language lessons. We will explore models of addition (counting, number line, sets, and balanced equations) using dominoes, the relation between addition and subtraction and the result of adding 0. We will look at writing story problems in which the operation of addition is required and explore fact families using dominoes. Templates for making your own set of large "kid friendly" dominoes, directions for making 3-D ones, worksheets for recording activities, numerous lessons using dominoes, games, websites and book tie-ins will all be included. (new session)

Math Phobia - Overcoming the Fear of Math!
Did you hate math as a kid? Here is a way to have fun with math. Not only will the kids love the activities and games but they will learn at the same time. Math Phobia will include a look at: co-operative learning, games, puzzles, riddles, family math, probability, and a brief look at manipulatives for the elementary class. The greatest amount of time however will be spent on attitude changes and some novel ways of performing basic operations.

Making Math Connections
The biggest challenge in developing good math activities is finding real world examples that are relevant for our students. The Making Math Connections will show school staff (and parents) how to put together focused activities that are real world and fun. Students will work on math lessons that assist with basic geometry, algebra, numeration and measurement. These math concepts will be "connected" through children's literature, art, crafts, newspapers, scavenger hunts and social studies.. (new session)

Developing Problem Solving Abilities in the Math Class
This session deals with establishing a favorable classroom atmosphere as well as exploring the eleven different problem solving methods currently being used. These methods will be explored in detail: dramatization, draw a picture, construct a chart, find a pattern, solve a simpler problem, guess & check, work backwards, consider all possibilities, logical reasoning, change your point of view and write an open sentence. Supervised group practice on each of the strategies is included.

Manipulating Math
Children seem to learn best when learning begins with a concrete representation of a mathematical concept. This session will provide hands-on experience using a variety of manipulatives to assist in “doing” elementary math. Manipulatives to use will be provided, as well as patterns to make your own. There will be plenty of time to play with various manipulatives through the use of supervised math centers. Calculator usage in the elementary class, along with a number of activities using a calculator, will also be presented.

Motivational Math! (Or turning students on to math!)
This session is geared towards turning junior high / middle school students onto math. It explores procedures, games and strategies in an active, fun way which can be used to achieve this end. Topics to discussed include: cooperative learning, using manipulatives with older students, real-life connections, estimation and mental math, communication, problem solving, reasoning and visualization.

Incorporating Language into the Math Class
In this session we will take a look at some of the ways language and literature as well as writing and journaling are being tied into today’s math class. By using these right-brained activities, students who have struggled with math in the past will have a different way of looking at things through the use of language, literature, creative writing and journaling!

Creativity and Exploration in the Math Class
Allowing students to move outside what we consider the normal math curricula through the use of art, crafts, excursions, music and movement, is another way of using right-brained activities to help them function in a typically left-brained environment via lots of this kind of movement!
Along with this session will also be Measurement and Graphs in Daily Usage
This section will begin with a look at the history of measurement and then go on to explore various measurement units and tools used for measuring. Numerous kinds of graphs and their appropriate use will be examined. Lots of activities will be used throughout in this very hands-on workshop.

Oral Language: Developing Speaking Skills
Do you have someone in your life that needs practice in developing speaking skills? We will explore various ways of improving oral language. In a very active session we will explore materials for stimulating oral language, a number of proven strategies and the use of such things as drama, puppets and story telling. May be good for those working with ESL students as well.

Written Communication
The basics of language for the elementary class such as parts of speech, punctuation, capitalization, singular/plural, vocabulary, contractions and possessives will be reviewed in a light-hearted, fun, game-like setting. A quick look at research and outlining will be included as well.

Better Listening and Assertive Behavior
This session explores ideas and activities to improve listening skills and oral communication in the elementary school in a fun, game-like setting. Practice with assertive behavior (as opposed to aggressive or passive) through group activities will also be included in this very active session.

Poets Come Alive
This workshop is for teacher assistants who feel scared of poetry and also for those who love poetry. You will walk away with many hands on activities that bring poetry alive for your students. You'll be shown many different kinds of poetry and tools to make poetry accessible and exciting to all students. Publishing and display ideas will be shared as well. The activities will help enhance your students' writing abilities. Come ready to have fun, win prizes, and surprise yourself with how poetic you and your peers can be. (new session)