Rachel Clark Grade 2-5 Family Blog: Math as Your Playground

Grades 2-5 Math Overview

Hello,

My name is Rachel Clark. I am a 2-5 Math Lead Teacher in Yarmouth, Maine. I have been in education for over 35 years and have worked as a second, third, fourth, and fifth-grade teacher before taking on this role.

I bear good news! Math instruction these days has changed dramatically over time, and, in my opinion, all the changes are for the better. Today's math student is far better prepared to meet mathematical challenges than we were. I marvel at their flexibility of number and am constantly reminded of their deep reasoning skills.

In this blog you will find some tips for guiding your child in math at home . I will review some of the instructional strategies that are used in Yarmouth schools to make math easier to comprehend. We aim for instruction that is steeped in place value understanding.

If mathematics is defined as the study of patterns in quantity and space, we must endeavor to make sure our instructional practice mirrors the invitation implied by this definition. We must allow students to discuss and play with patterns and learn from their observations of numbers and spatial settings. My blog attempts to show families how this is done in a classroom setting.

The second reason for creating a blog is to share with you all the terrific mathematical sites I have come across over the years. These sites offer activities and games that allow for enduring engagement and increased motivation. Feel free to introduce these to your children or join in on the fun.

Enjoy the blog and happy mathematizing!!

Best, Rachel

Monday, March 25, 2013

Math as Your Playground