Zapple Thoughts...

Placemaths

2007-04-09T15:30:00.000-07:00

I've been asked about the "Placemaths" that I've been mentioning every so often. I'm working on them (as of this writing). I will have a year's supply done by the end of the school year (June 2007). A year's supply will consist of roughly one placemath per week, per student, for most of the school year. All the order information will be supplied when the advertising kicks in.

For now, you can get a few sample copies at: www.zapple.ca/page10/page14/page14.html

Scroll down, and click on the other tabs at the top for more exciting FREE things!

Ray

Literacy and Numeracy?

2007-04-09T15:16:00.000-07:00

I've heard so many great stories about Jayden's Rescue (Vladimir Tumanov - Scholastic Canada Publishing) over the last few years, that recently, I put together a Teacher Guide to help scaffold the learning. I've been so grateful that Vladimir himself has emailed me to give it two thumbs up, and said it's "very helpful!".

This resource is great for students between grades 5 to 7, and gives the students a high interest way to engage in very exciting reading and curious problems to solve. Teachers have told me again and again that many kids are so interested, they don't want to go outside for recess! In turn, the excitement feeds back into the math program they use, and the problem solving gets deeper and deeper.

I've designed a simple "Jayden's Rescue" board game. The idea came from a district Numeracy Support Teacher, Dana Robb. I took her idea and designed it as you see on my site. Dana thought it was pretty cool! You can get a FREE copy of the "Jayden's Rescue" board game at: www.zapple.ca/page10/page14/page14.html

Don't forget to scroll down until you see it.

Ray

Differentiated Reading

2007-04-09T14:54:00.000-07:00

People have been asking me for more information about my "Any Novel Novel Study" I created. It's been used extensively in hundreds of classrooms. One of the difficulties that I had was when I gave them all the same exact novel to read all at the exact same time, and to answer the same questions about the same chapters. ..and on and on and on.

I found that some students finished it the first night (and them told the class what happens), while other students couldn't get past the first paragraph. Then I decided to start the year with the same novel. I usually read "Hatchet" (by Gary Paulsen), and then gave the students a set of organizers in order to help support their thinking while I read sections to the class.

Once I showed the students how the grpahic organizers worked, then I set them off to select their own novels according to specific criteria. The students used the organizers and marking guides to assess their own learning, gathered vocab words, raised questions, got into small groups, and went from there.

The booklet could be used with 4 or 5 main novels (i.e., Literature Circles), or to the extreme, each student could be reading a different novel. What I've noticed is that the student's interest is high, they learn to set goals, the engage with the text they've selected, and best of all, it recognizes that learners are different.

Recently, a teacher sent me this email:

"My class and I are really enjoying your "Any Novel Novel Study"! I am actually looking forward to doing report cards next week as my marking book is now set up in a way that makes sense to me and is an easy conversion to our report card writing program!"

A local district recently purchased 1000 copies for many of the teachers within the district! Currently, I'm giving workshops on how to use this resource, as well as highlighting some of my other resources.

Ray

Zapple Movies

2007-04-09T13:08:00.000-07:00

I've been asked a few time about the math movies that Marc and I created. I got the idea one morning (at 2 am!). I was awake, and my mind was racing. I got excited about the idea of making a 'commercial' much like the wonderful Mac/PC ads that I love! The trick was going to be to try to take some really big numeracy concepts and condense them down into a one minute movie. Certainly we could say a lot more, but what were we trying to get across?

Marc and I sat down and began by brainstorming some tensions that teachers, parents, admin, and students face when exploring numeracy. Then, we picked one and started to jot down some ideas. After about 20 minutes or so, we rehearsed it a few times, yet left it open enough for some spontinaeity. I love how Marc says "manipulatives" in the way he does! Thanks Marc, now I've said it the way you did when I'm working with teachers! Hee hee...

Ray

Tough Stuff!

2007-04-09T12:28:00.000-07:00

I just finished doing an exciting session with parents around some tough issues on mathematics. I showed them the directions of the new WNCP (Western Northern Canadian Protocol - a framework of math 'outcomes' for western Canada and the territories up north). It was a great discussion! I thought that many of the comments reflected the difficulty that we face as we try to challenge our personal beliefs around numeracy.

What do I believe? How can I examine those beliefs? How can I better my own practice? What does the Ministry of Education require? What are the philosphical shifts needed? ...and so on.

Great conversation.

Just great.

Thanks to all the parents that attended the discussion in Comox, BC!

Ray