Something that I have done throughout my career, is giving credit to students for innovative solutions. I pride myself for constantly finding new ways of teaching a concept. I also love finding faster ways to solve certain problems. Yet, when a student in the classroom or online ...
Both teachers and parents need to teach their students or children how to check solutions to the mathematics problems that they solve. Checking solutions gives student additional practice in solving mathematics problems. Checking solutions on independent study assignments and tes...
When I was young, memorization was a big part of every teacher’s tools for instruction. In recent years the emphasis on memorization has been drastically reduced. I think that there is a place in learning for memorization. Memorization requires focus. Memorization requires comm...
During lectures in a traditional classroom (teacher in the front of a group of students), teachers should minimize the time spent turning their back on the students. Eye contact is very important. Students will remain more focused when you make eye contact with them. When facing ...
Every teacher needs to make balanced questioning in the classroom a priority. In general, most classrooms consist of students with different content knowledge. Also, the classroom possesses students that are more assertive and some that are not. Whether I was asking the questions...
Whether you are a mathematics teacher or a mathematics coach, it is important that you develop a routine. Your students will respond more favorably to whatever you teach, if they know what to expect. In teaching, I used to begin every lesson with a quick review of lessons present...
Any teacher that seeks to be successful in the classroom must incorporate good discipline habits for their students. From the very first day of class, students need to be aware of what type of behavior you expect in the classroom. A teacher needs to model the same behavior that t...
Through the years I have devoted a lot of my time teaching parents how to help their children succeed. During those times I tell them how I measure success. I measure success by two rules that I have followed all of my life. Doing things that you enjoy and always working at doing...
The greatest satisfaction that I get from teaching is derived when I invite students to join me in a journey of discovery. As often as I can, I attempt to develop a lesson in such a way that I introduce basic concepts initially and then ask students to assist me in finding a solu...
Teachers and parents need to be aware of how knowledge of number sense shortcuts could not only motivate a love of learning mathematics, but impact problems you encounter in real life. Let me illustrate some examples. Example 1: When multiplying a number ending in 5 with an even...
