Being a Wise Consumer

In this district, we do not cross multiply to compare fractions, we do not invert and multiply when dividing fractions, and the alligator does not eat the bigger number. I also discourage counting on fingers. We want kids thinking about and making sense of mathematics, not using "tricks". 

Last week, I attended CAMT (Conference for the Advancement of Mathematics Teaching) and learned about some of the latest and greatest things in the world of teaching and learning mathematics. One of my colleagues told me about a session she attended where the presenter shared strategies for teaching multiplication. As I listened to her I was discouraged because some of the strategies that were shared were "tricks".

Pinterest is a great tool! I find so many useful ideas for teaching and learning there. In fact, I created math boards for grade levels and concepts and invited my teachers to pin to them as well, but not everything on Pinterest is good.  There are many tricks and a lot of "fluff". Teachers Pay Teachers is awesome and it has made some teachers millionaires, but unfortunately not everything found there is good for teaching and learning. 

Not everything out there is going to be aligned to the intent of our standards in Texas, nor is it best practice. We as educators have to be a wise consumer and choose things that will challenge students to think and help them make sense of mathematics. We have to think not just about what will help students in the moment but instead what will help them truly understand and also be ready to make connections to future learning.