Gap Find the Mira

In math I learned and found fun ways to do lessons and activities with the ultimate graphing resource Gapminder. As I've said before, this tool has endless possibilities with students of various ages! And it's pretty fun to just play with for kicks. I really enjoyed the gallery walk...specifically I thought it was unique that we got to leave questions and comments on the graphs and posters. Thinking about how others organized their data forced us all out of our comfort zones. When I came back to my own graph and poster, I loved seeing the comments that everyone left for us. I had to think of alternative ways to represent my data, findings, and conclusion. This can be hard as a teacher..presenting students with alternative explanations of material...

I'm still pondering the Mira that we got to experiment with during class. It was such a simple device...with manipulatives like that it makes me wonder if we really need the virtual manipulatives on my ITouch...Then I play with the fancy apps and ponder the seemingly endless opportunities it brings.
How can we use the Mira in other ways than just for Congruence?
In my school we have a very specific math curriculum, how can I fit these creative math activities into the curriculum? Am I allowed to venture into my own ideas?

I can picture classrooms using the Mira to work with patterns, especially when the patterns are geometric. Patterns are accessible for all ages...I can still remember working with patterns in the second grade. If I'd have a Mira to work with I would have been able to make and understand complex geometric patterns even at such a young age.

Phonics, Broccoli, and Children

Children love lots of things: candy, sprinklers, toys, Christmas, video games, broccoli, phonics....wait what? Broccoli and phonics? Well it was worth a try, and when I'm a mother I'll try to brainwash my children into liking them both, amongst many other things... However, realistically, children don't naturally like either of these two things or at least they deny it for some time. Why am I talking about this...?

Anne Lamott uses the ridiculous word of Broccoli to refer to her intuition. Now THIS is something children are famous for! Without the tainted advice and smothering from adults in their life, they are naturally pros at following and trusting their heart and intuition. Why would they doubt it? Why would they try to stop it? A foolish request from an open childlike point of view.  Lamott calls us to open back up to the childlike view and trusting of our intuition. She calls us to open our eyes and be in awe like a child. Be in AWE! "I think this is how we are supposed to be in the world- PRESENT AND IN AWE."!!! Our world is here for us to be present and in awe; it was created to stun us, to woo us. So let it! I love the invitation Lamott gives us to let go of our smothering thoughts and enjoy it for what it is. Then to take that wonder and amazement and put it on paper in our writing. To keep our intuition alive and present so that it can be a part of our writing, naturally. If only I can do this like Lamott does...or if only I had the patience to do so. Someday...I'm looking forward to continuing to read this book. It's fun, exciting, enlightening... (Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott.)

Learning about phonics while working with kindergarten buddies is the best way to experience it. I am so thankful for these two to be hand in hand. Fox is becoming a favored resource of mine! I'm very thankful for this tool to carry her with me! (Word Identification Strategies: Building Phonics into a Classroom Reading Program by Barbara J. Fox.)

Literacy in our placement! A block class of reading and writing! Oh it's glorious to be back in a classroom so rooted in literacy! We started our new placement this week and are absolutely loving it! It has rooted me. I feel calm again, confident. We have a place. A beneficial place. A place for growing, learning, and exploring ourselves as teachers! First impressions: this is not only going to be good, but great! Thank you for this opportunity!