Mindset Minute

mindsinbloom.com has a great post about teaching growth mindset to your students. They have some great learning goals that break down what growth mindset would look like in a math class.

http://www.minds-in-bloom.com/2014/02/teaching-perseverance-in-math.html 

Mindset Minute

Mindset Minute

Read me a story...

Here are some books to read with your kids to help foster a growth mindset. The descriptions are from Amazon.ca and the links take you to amazon in case you would like to purchase the book.

If you follow this link it will take you to a printable google doc containing qr codes to safeshare youtube videos of these books.


 

The Dot
With a simple, witty story and free-spirited illustrations, Peter H. Reynolds entices even the stubbornly uncreative among us to make a mark - and follow where it takes us.


The Little Engine That Could
The story of a train filled with toys and gifts for little boys and girls that breaks down before reaching the children. After asking several passing trains for help over the hill, a little blue train agrees to help the stranded toys. Even though she is small, the blue train tries her best to bring the toys to the children on the other side of the hill.


The Most Magnificent Thing
by Ashley Spires
Award-winning author and illustrator Ashley Spires has created a charming picture book about an unnamed girl and her very best friend, who happens to be a dog. The girl has a wonderful idea. "She is going to make the most MAGNIFICENT thing! She knows just how it will look. She knows just how it will work. All she has to do is make it, and she makes things all the time. Easy-peasy!" But making her magnificent thing is anything but easy, and the girl tries and fails, repeatedly. Eventually, the girl gets really, really mad. She is so mad, in fact, that she quits. But after her dog convinces her to take a walk, she comes back to her project with renewed enthusiasm and manages to get it just right. For the early grades' exploration of character education, this funny book offers a perfect example of the rewards of perseverance and creativity. The girl's frustration and anger are vividly depicted in the detailed art, and the story offers good options for dealing honestly with these feelings, while at the same time reassuring children that it's okay to make mistakes. The clever use of verbs in groups of threes is both fun and functional, offering opportunities for wonderful vocabulary enrichment. The girl doesn't just "make" her magnificent thing -- she "tinkers and hammers and measures," she "smoothes and wrenches and fiddles," she "twists and tweaks and fastens." These precise action words are likely to fire up the imaginations of youngsters eager to create their own inventions and is a great tie-in to learning about Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.


Stuck
by Oliver Jeffers
Delightful chaos ensues when a young boy gets his kite stuck in a tree in this laugh-out-loud new picture book from award-winning, internationally best-selling author-illustrator Oliver Jeffers! Floyd gets his kite stuck up a tree. He throws up his shoe to shift it, but that gets stuck too. So he throws up his other shoe and that gets stuck, along with...a ladder, a pot of paint, the kitchen sink, an orang-utan and a whale, amongst other things! Will Floyd ever get his kite back? A hilarious book with a wonderful surprise ending.


The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes
Beatrice Bottomwell has NEVER (not once!) made a mistake… 

Meet Beatrice Bottomwell: a nine-year-old girl who has never (not once!) made a mistake. She never forgets her math homework, she never wears mismatched socks, and she ALWAYS wins the yearly talent show at school. In fact, Beatrice holds the record of perfection in her hometown, where she is known as The Girl Who Never Makes Mistakes. Life for Beatrice is sailing along pretty smoothly until she doesthe unthinkable-she makes her first mistake. And in a very public way!

"The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes is a must read for any young (or old!) perfectionist. Beatrice Bottomwell is perfectly imperfect!"
-Stephanie Oppenheim, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio

"Beatrice offers a lesson we could all benefit from: learn from your mistakes, let go, laugh, and enjoy the ride."
-JENNIFER FOSBERRY, New York Times bestselling author of My Name Is Not Isabella


Your Fantastic Elastic Brain
This innovative and timely picture book teaches children that they have the ability to stretch and grow their own brains. It also delivers the crucial message that mistakes are an essential part of learning. The book introduces children to the anatomy and various functions of the brain in a fun and engaging way. This title makes both a wonderful addition to a child’s collection and to any growth mindset program or curriculum.


Beautiful Oops
A life lesson that all parents want their children to learn: It’s OK to make a mistake. In fact, hooray for mistakes! A mistake is an adventure in creativity, a portal of discovery. A spill doesn’t ruin a drawing—not when it becomes the shape of a goofy animal. And an accidental tear in your paper? Don’t be upset about it when you can turn it into the roaring mouth of an alligator.


The Gruffalo's Child
One dark night the Gruffalo’s child disobeys her father’s warnings and ventures out into the snow. After all, the Big Bad Mouse doesn’t really exist...does he?


Giraffe's Can't Dance
Giraffes Can't Dance is a touching tale of Gerald the giraffe, who wants nothing more than to dance. With crooked knees and thin legs, it's harder for a giraffe than you would think. Gerald is finally able to dance to his own tune when he gets some encouraging words from an unlikely friend. With light-footed rhymes and high-stepping illustrations, this tale is gentle inspiration for every child with dreams of greatness.


Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon
"Leave it to Molly to transform all her 'faults' into marvelous talents.. . . #Catrow's# pictures fill the pages with wild perspectives, goofy-looking kids, and hilarious details. . . . Leaves readers with the feeling that anything can be accomplished if you are the best person you can be and make the most of your gifts." (Kirkus Reviews)


Big Plans
"I've got big plans, BIG PLANS I say!" A little boy sits in the corner of a classroom, plotting his future. He's got plans...and have you heard? They're BIG. With the help of a mynah bird and lucky stinky hat, he'll find a quarter...boss around some muckety-mucks...become the mayor--or even the president! And while he's at it...fly to the moon! This exuberant story is perfect for any child who is ready to dream BIG.Are you in?


Only One You
There's only one you in this great big world. Make it a better place. Adri's mama and papa share some of the wisdom they have gained through the years with their eager son. Their words, simple and powerful, are meant to comfort and guide him as he goes about exploring the world. This exquisitely illustrated book explodes with color and honest insights. Kranz's uniquely painted rockfish, set against vibrant blue seas, make an unforgettable and truly special impression. Only One You will inspire parents and children of all ages as they swim through the sea of life.


Oh The Places You'll Go
A perennial favorite, Dr. Seuss’s wonderfully wise graduation speech is the perfect send-off for children starting out in the world, be they nursery school, high school, or college grads! From soaring to high heights and seeing great sights to being left in a Lurch on a prickle-ly perch, Dr. Seuss addresses life’s ups and downs with his trademark humorous verse and illustrations, while encouraging readers to find the success that lies within. In a starred review, Booklist notes: “Seuss’s message is simple but never sappy: life may be a ‘Great Balancing Act,’ but through it all ‘There’s fun to be done.’”


Horton Hears a Who!
Horton is back! After his first appearance in Horton Hatches the Egg, everyone’s favorite elephant returns in this timeless, moving, and comical classic in which we discover that “a person’s a person, no matter how small.” Thanks to the irrepressible rhymes and eye-catching illustrations, young readers will learn kindness and perseverance (as well as the importance of a good “Yopp”) from the very determined—and very endearing—Horton the elephant.


Dream Big Little Pig
For the youngest of listeners, the themes found in The Little Engine that Could continue to inspire. Former U.S. Olympic figure-skater Yamaguchi has penned a new version, complete with American Idol flash and glamour.... A sincere thank you from Yamaguchi to her family and fans. As celebrity books go... it's a cut above many, and the prose styling is refreshingly restrained. (Picture book. 4-8)
(Kirkus 2011-02-04)

A Great Read!

Hungry For Math: Poems to Munch On

I was so excited yesterday to receive my very own copy of the newly released book Hungry for Math: Poems to Munch On! It is full of fun, clever math themed poems for kids. The illustrations bring these poems to life - and are full of extra things to look for. This could be the beginning for some great math explorations. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

From amazon.ca

Kari-Lynn Winters and Lori Sherritt-Fleming team up again for another poetry collection for young readers with the emphasis on math concepts including measuring time, patterns, counting, symmetry, numbers, shapes, estimating and more! 

He was hungry for math, always ready to munch. 
Math for his breakfast. Math for his lunch.

The following are reviews from Lori Sherritt-Fleming's Blog 

The Reviews are Coming In! Here’s the Word on Hungry for Math!

Posted on February 26, 2015by lorisherritt

Here are a few very professional reviews of “Hungry for Math:  Poems to Munch On” from a few astute critics.  Enjoy!

By:  Ivan S  Grade 2C

Hi.  My name is Ivan.  I am the first seven year old in the whole world to review Lori Sherritt-Fleming’s poem, “Soap Box First”.  “Soap Box First” is a catchy and fun poem.  It describes a soap box derby and tells you who is in first to fifth place.  All the cars had problems that cost them the derby except for the turquoise one.  Some of the cars lost their wheels and some flipped and squealed.  If you liked this short poem, you will really like the whole book, “Hungry for Math: Poems to Munch On”.  Available in stores now!  Enjoy!

What I Think About Spendosaur

By:  Fred F, Grade 2, Queen Mary Elementary

I think the Spendosaur ate too much candy.  I see at least fifty different kinds of candy in the illustration.  Spendosaur has bought at least two gummy worms.  He spent all of his money.  He bought five gumdrops dipped in swampy slime.  He also bought five pickles.  They were dipped in chocolate.  He uses a nickel and a dime.  I wonder how much money he has in his dino bank.  I like this poem because I think it is funny.

By:  Jeffrey G, Grade 5

Are you looking for something new and different in your meals?  Then read “Hungry for Math:  Poems to Munch On” by Kari-Lynn Winters and Lori Sherritt-Fleming, with illustrations by Peggy Collins.  My favourite poem was “Soap Box First”.  It  was full of descriptive words such as, ‘smash,bang, thump and rumble, squeal’.

“Teacup Pups” was also a great poem because I love dogs.  The illustration of the Yorkie was funny because it is small compared to the other dogs and the Yorkie is standing up.

In the Spendosaur poem, it said that he bought a Gloppyplop.  I wonder what a Gloppyplop tastes like.  I also liked,”Move Around the Clock” because it has times with actions.  Some of the actions are funny such as ‘skitter, prance and squirm’.  I am looking forward to the second book.  Maybe they will call it “Hungrier for Math.”

Look what my kids showed me this morning!

Prodigy www.prodigygame.com is a totally free, super engaging web based math game. The kids create their own wizards who must complete challenges and earn rewards all while practicing math that is aligned with the Ontario Curriculum.

Here is what the founder of Prodigy had to say...

When my co-founder and I started Prodigy, our goal was to get students as excited about learning math as I was about playing Pokemon as a child.  As teachers, you’ve likely seen this excitement in your own classrooms, but one overriding question keeps coming up – does all of this excitement lead to quantifiable improvements on standardized test scores?

To figure this out, we dug deep into data from one of our first districts, Kawartha Pine Ridge DSB in Ontario, Canada.  The data shows that highly active schools on Prodigy had 11.6% more students meeting standards on EQAO testing (Ontario’s standardized test) compared to the previous year.  This represents an 11.5% difference over inactive schools, which only saw a 0.1% improvement.

Here is what my 9 year old had to say after playing for just a few days. "My friend showed me Prodigy the other day and i've been playing it ever since (when I'm allowed). I love it! I battle monsters while I earn rewards and level up. I choose the grade level and the questions are challenging but fun."

My 6 year old says "Good. you get to name your own guy and you get to have battles. Some of the questions were hard but i figured them out."

As a teacher I can set my whole class up and monitor their progress. The game promises to differentiate based on the child's progress.

I like that within the question screens kids have access to manipulatives (counters, ten frames, etc.), a chance to figure the question out by hand, lessons if they don't know how to do it and the chance to have the question read to them. Sometimes if the students get a question wrong it will give them a hint and/or another chance.

Seeing Dots

SpotTheDots

By Catherine Bruce

iTunes Description
Spot the Dots is a game for young children developed by Dr. Catherine D. Bruce of Trent University, with support from her research team including teachers in Ontario Canada.
Technical development: Devon Armstrong, University of Waterloo

For Ages: 3-7

Goal of the Game: Builds the ability to recognize quantity quickly at level 1. This ability to suddenly see a quantity is also known as subitizing.
At levels 2 and 3, the ability to add quickly makes the game more challenging and increases skills of adding quantities using visual clues such as rows of dots that can be added or sudden recognition of 5 on one square and adding-on from this 5 to the other squares.

Instructions for the Game: Figure out how many dots you see in total on the screen and tap that number as quickly as possible. Then press GO for the next set of dots.
For each correct answer, Spot the Dog gets a bone. When you have earned 20 bones for Spot, go to the next level.
At levels 2 and 3, you must add all the dots on the screen together. If one square has 5 dots and another has 4, then your answer is 9. Tap that number as quickly as possible. Then press GO for the next set of dots.
Once you have earned 20 bones for any level, you have completed that level.
You can see how many bones you have earned by clicking on the bone on the screen. Spot can eat the bones – just tap on a bone on the bones-earned screen!

From Card Game to App

This is one of my favourite card games. Its fast paced thinking on your feet. The app is great if you cant find a friend to play the card game with...sadly my husband refuses to play with me anymore. This app is $5.79 but there are free variations like Groops or cheaper ones like Tri which is $0.99.

 

 

SET Pro HD

By Set Enterprises, Inc.

To find a SET you must recognize three cards on the gameboard of 12 cards in which each of the features, examined independently, are either the same on the 3 cards OR different on the 3 cards. That’s it. One rule. It is deceptively simple. Thus, it’s easy to learn. A 6 year old can do it. But it’s a challenge for life, and mastering it challenges college students and their professors. The game has two levels Basic and Advanced. All players, regardless of age need to learn using the Basic level. Once you get the idea down, move to the Advanced level where you will experience the depth and richness of the mental challenge of SET. The Advanced level is the complete SET game. Of course, since SET is a game for all ages, younger players may take longer to be able to play the full game. Basic level has 3 features that anyone can master. Advanced level has four features, which is a challenge for all.

Sushi Anyone?

Here is the iTunes description for a new game I just found. Lots of fun with some great strategy and reasoning built in.

Sushi Monster

By Scholastic

Meet Sushi Monster! Scholastic’s new game to practice, reinforce, and extend math fact fluency is completely engaging and appropriately challenging.

Strengthen reasoning strategies for whole number addition and multiplication by helping monsters make a target sum or product. Earn points with each correct answer… but watch out for distractions! To be successful, plan ahead and strategically select numbers from the sushi counter.

Brainbending Apps by Instant .CJ

Exercise your brain and flex your learning muscles with this group of apps. Here are the iTunes descriptions. All of these apps are free!

Move 24:a brand new 24 point game

By INSTANT.CJ

As you know the 24 Game is an arithmetical card game in which the objective is to find a way to manipulate four integers so that the end result is 24.This is a brand new 24 point game for you.Are you ready for a serious challenge? Give it a try!
← : Addition
→ : Subtraction
↑ : Multiplication
↓ : Division

BlockTile:new concept find path game

By INSTANT.CJ

BlockTile is a new concept find path game.To solve the puzzle draw a path to fill out entire board and all numbers on board equal to zero. Don't be fooled by the simplicity, it's not as easy as it looks.Are you ready for a serious challenge? Give it a try!

number [1] on board: Line that can be passed only once.
number [2] on board: Line that must be passed twice.

Sedoku - Colored Sudoku Game

By INSTANT.CJ

Sedoku [Sè (色) color and Doku (独) single] is a game based on sudoku. In 6x6 mode,the goal of Sedoku consists in filling the board which contains 36 boxes with different colors.There are 6 sectors, 6 columns and 6 lines. You must fill the color of all boxes without it being repeated in a column, line or sector.

Features:
- 6 modes (3x3 Easy, 4x4Medium, 6x6 Medium, 6x6 Hard, 6x6 Crazy, 6x6 Evil)
- Hundreds of challenging puzzles for you.
- Simple, elegance, and challenge.

Segon:Simple Number Match Game

By INSTANT.CJ

Sugon is a bain puzzle game based on Segon(https://itunes.apple.com/app/id953141152)
How to Play:
The gameplay is simple,rotate and match the number edges to solve the puzzle.

Superheroes and Math!

Numbers League

By Bent Castle Software

 

Villains lurk in the streets of Infinity City. Our only hope is the Numbers League. Assemble a team of superheroes and use the sum of their incredible powers and ingenious devices to capture as many villains as you can.

In Numbers League, clever use of basic math skills will save the day. The more you play the sharper these skills will become until no villain is safe from your numerical onslaught.

Ages 5 and up. The Minion-level game can be mastered by a five year old, the Superhero-level game will challenge even math-savvy parents and teachers, and Custom levels allow for a learning experience anywhere in between.

Play with your family, your friends, or by yourself-- up to four players can play on a single iPad.
Also, three robots of different skill levels are ready to join in any game.

Tally ho! Use your fingers, use your toes. Use a pencil and a piece of paper if you like. Use the hint feature to show you what’s possible and a timer if you want to make the game even more challenging.

McGraw Hill Math Apps

Below are the itunes descriptions of these apps. In each case we have added our reflection as well.

Everyday Mathematics® Monster Squeeze™

By McGraw-Hill School Education Group

McGraw-Hill’s Monster Squeeze game reinforces number recognition and offers a quick and easy way to practice number line concepts and number comparisons. This two-player game runs on the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch.

Players take turns finding the secret number on a number line. In each round, the monster designates a secret number on a number line. Players try to guess this number by clicking one of the numbers. If the number chosen is larger than the secret number, that number and all larger numbers on the number line are covered by the monster. If the number chosen is smaller than the secret number, that number and all smaller numbers on the number line are covered by the monster. Players take turns clicking numbers until one of them identifies the secret number and wins the round. There are a total of 5 rounds in a game.

What We Thought
Great for students working on comparing and ordering numbers to 10. A fun game to play with a friend.

Everyday Mathematics® Tric-Trac™

By McGraw-Hill School Education Group

Players take turns rolling two dice, finding their sum, and then matching the sum to one or more numbers in their hand. Every match eliminates that number or numbers from a player’s hand and reduces their score. Players try to eliminate all the numbers in their hand. Play continues until no more sums from the dice can be matched to a number or numbers in a player’s hand. The player with the lowest score wins the game! Visual and audio reinforcement of correct and incorrect answers help players master addition facts and comparison skills.

What We Thought
Its the app version of Shut The Box which is a big favourite of ours. Lots of problem solving as the game progresses and students need to find ways to represent their numbers.

Everyday Mathematics® Divisibility Dash™

By McGraw-Hill School Education Group

Players are presented with a target divisor and number globes in the playing area. They click the number globes to create a two-digit multiple of the divisor and eliminate the number globes. Players earn points for each correct multiple. When players can find no more two-digit multiples for the given target divisor, they click the target divisor button to get a new divisor and release more number globes into the playing area. If the player clicks for a new divisor when the number globes already reach the top of the playing area, the game ends. The objective is for players to earn as many points as possible as they clear and eliminate all number globes from the playing area. Players win by eliminating all 60 globes!

What We Thought
Gets students thinking about multiples and factors in a fun way.

Everyday Mathematics® Name That Number™

By McGraw-Hill School Education Group

Players use five number tiles to build number sentences that equal a target number. Players can name the target number by adding, subtracting, multiplying, and/or dividing the numbers using as many tiles as possible. The more tiles the player uses, the more points he or she earns. There are a total of 5 rounds in a game. Visual and audio reinforcement of correct and incorrect answers helps players master math facts and order of operations.

What We Thought
Lots of thought has to go into this one. It really pushes students to apply their computational knowledge in a creative manner.

A Great App for Younger Students

Numbers and Counting
by Eggroll Games
Free

This app is great for young children who are learning to subitize.

iTunes Description

Number recognition and learning to count has never been more fun and intuitive!

With "Show Me" and "Peek" features, play comes easy even for young learners.

This app adheres to Common Core Standards for kindergarten math and was designed by parents and teachers.

NUMBERS IDENTIFICATION:
• Match numbers to numbers
• Match numbers to the group with the same number of items
• Hear the numbers as you touch them
• Discover new numbers, designs and layouts as you play

COUNTING:
• Count items and match them to their number
• Match picture cards with the same number of items
• Pop balloons and hear them count
• "Show Me" option keeps cards face up for easier play

There's an App for That

There are literally thousands of math apps for kids available. Most of these focus on helping kids get better at adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing or concepts like shapes, time or measurement. While these apps can be helpful many of them do not give kids a chance to practice the higher order thinking that is part of today's math programs.
We have done our research and have a number of apps that we would recommend. These apps allow for more problem solving, creative thinking and application of math concepts.
The first app we would like to highlight is Math Lands.

Mathlands

iTunes Description
Kids are too often faced with math exercises that are mechanical and dull. They learn to solve problems without any real understanding of the underlying mathematics. MathLands was designed by game lovers and teachers to remedy this problem. In this interactive app, kids will be asked to exercise logical and critical thinking but in the context of gameplay and puzzle-solving. The concept is called "learning through play" and it will change children's attitudes towards math.



Teachers and parents who are looking for more engaging problem solving resources will love this app. Especially our puzzles and games and our unique *interactive* word problems written in the form of funny comic strips.

Fluency Without Fear

Here are some resources from Jo Boaler's www.youcubed.org website.
https://drive.google.com/viewerng/viewer?url=http://youcubed.org/teachers/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/AppendixA.pdf

Nike Commercial with Michael Jordon

Nike Commercial with Michael Jordon

This video demonstrates why we learn when we "fail".