Elaine Rustand

Have a printed and laminated resource showing the MAJOR WORK of your grade in your classroom. (maybe even the grade above and below) Be a focused teacher!! @aprilpfortsiowa #iowamath #iacoreadvocate

Advanced computation layer in Desmos is like my pepper spray: it's a powerful tool but if I have to use it, I'M PROBABLY SOMEWHERE THAT I SHOULD NOT BE WITH THE SKILLS I CURRENTLY HAVE! @aprilpfortsiowa @desmos @ddmeyer #iowamath #iadesmos

Need a new poster in my math classroom: chick coming out of an eggshell with "Breakthroughs often emerge from confusion and struggle"! Support the productive struggle! @aprilpfortsiowa #iowamath #iaptama

Knowledge and Practice Survey: the "key" and commentary at Achieve the Core will provide helpful information for those who are not able to participate in a group of teachers for the survey. @aprilpfortsiowa #iowamath #iacoreadvocate

Knowledge and Practice Survey: remember it's really NOT about the data collected, it's about the DISCUSSION that can follow when we look at where we are as individuals and a school in our shift work! @aprilpfortsiowa #iowamath #iacoreadvocate

Computation Layer of Demos looks amazing. The "mysteries" of programming look achievable with the helps shown here but still will require PRACTICE and TIME. @aprilpfortsiowa @desmos @ddmeyer #iowamath #iadesmos

I need to use more formative assessments. If they are used to measure student progress and improve my teaching, there will be NO MORE WONDERING about how kids will do on a summative assessment. @aprilpfortsiowa #iowamath #iaptama

My questioning challenge this year: ask questions that build student thinking without overtaking or funneling too quickly. Wait longer, actually listen and think about what a student's response tells me about their understanding. @aprilpfortsiowa #iowamath #iaptama

Desmos activities are terrific "as is", however, they can also be edited and customized for YOUR classroom needs. Creators have made the editing accessible to those of us who are NOT computer programmers! @aprilpfortsiowa @desmos @mjfenton #iowamath #iadesmos

PLCs are a great way to promote teaching core-aligned math lessons. Have a LESSON PLANNING TOOL to use or a DISCUSSION GUIDE to keep the conversation moving in a productive direction. @aprilpfortsiowa #iowamath #iacoreadvocate

"Education is what's left when you forget everything your teacher made you memorize" My educator role is to assist students in learning the ENDURING CONCEPTS of math class not just formulas; need a curriculum paradigm shift! @aprilpfortsiowa #iowamath #iaptama

Desmos activities can be rebuilt or created from scratch! Explore and try your had at programming- thankfully the "building blocks" are already there to use. @aprilpfortsiowa @desmos @mjfenton #iowamath #iadesmos

Digital Coherence map for K-8 math is like GoogleMaps- zoom in and out to see exactly where a standard "fits". Solid arrows and dashed line connections actually mean something!! @aprilpfortsiowa #iowamath #iacoreadvocate

Access and Equity in math: effective teaching is key but we also need to change kids' mindset from "I just can't do math" to "I will participate, achieve, and make an EFFORT to move forward to my highest level". @aprilpfortsiowa #iowamath #iaptama

Desmos activities are not just "push a button and let kids go" lessons. These are thoughtful experiences that a teacher must prepare to use. Teacher guide and teacher tips are excellent prep materials- also practice as if you are a student. @aprilpfortsiowa #iowamath #iadesmos

Students need a balance of the three parts of RIGOR in the classroom- not all aspects EVERY day but use the standards as guide for which to hit hard. Instructional materials and tasks need to be analyzed to see how they measure up! @aprilpfortsiowa #iowamath #iacoreadvocate

Using math tasks has a CUMULATIVE effect on students--they learn to make sense of mathematics and that they are capable of working longer and harder for understanding....and they are EXPECTED to do so! @aprilpfortsiowa #iowamath #iaptama

Deep-dive module requires scuba gear! As I come up for air I have new nuggets of info! One is: the WORDING in the standard helps describe its rigor goal as conceptual understanding and/or fluency and/or application. Read them carefully!! @aprilpfortsiowa #iowamath #iacoreadvocate

Kudos to Desmos creators: even though the classroom activities are tech activities (seems very solitary), they are actually built so teachers create classroom CONVERSATIONS with and between students about the math! @aprilpfortsiowa #iowamath #iadesmos

Kids need to go home "tired" at the end of the school day, not just the teachers! The productive struggle is for both students and teachers--P to A is challenging material to implement! @aprilpfortsiowa #iowamath #iaptama