Wednesday, June 18, 2003
Focus Session
Everyday Math©

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PJ - How come you aren't now?
Lynn - Hi, what grade do you teach? How long have you used Everyday Math? I teach 3 and used it for 2 years.
Sandi - I've used EM for a number of years in kdg.
Sandi - I like it a lot
Janeen - I teach 4th grade. We switched to Scott-Foresman two years ago. Many thought there were too many gaps in Everyday Math.
Lynn - I like it too. The first year it is a lot of work.
Sandi - I think u need to make sure they are playing the games or giving them enough drill practice cuz the lessons themselves are very hands on
PJ - Is Everyday Math the same as Everyday Counts?
Lynn - One thing I don't like is the amount or lack of computation. We had to supplement.
NYCSarah - I teach K in NYC and will be using Everyday Math for the first time in Sept. any suggestions?
GeoBill - any nyc hs math teachers?
Janeen - I still go back and use some parts of it that I liked, but mostly I didn't care for it.
PJ - Anybody here using Mountain math by any chance?
NYCSarah - Sandi, you teach K and use Everyday Math? Any suggestions?
mudbug - I've been using Math Everyday counts for 4 years now
Sandi - My own child started it this year first time in 5th grade! But teachers were aware of what holes there were for them from not having it in the other grades. I think he really learned more about the process of math
Janeen - It had some lessons that were amazing....fractions, geometry, probability....but really short on math basics.
Sandi - Do the games, read the teachers guide
mudbug - i love the calendar time but the workbook is the pits
Sandi - Do the calendar, straws/days of school
russ - yep!
mudbug - yes, its with the straws, dominos etc.
Janeen - Is the calendar in the primary grades?
mrsd - We just finished our 2nd year - much better this year
mudbug - yes, i teach kindergarten and we have the calendar
Lynn - I agree it is short on basic fact practice.
Sandi - The newer version has this clean up routine that didn't work for my classroom...counting until they finished cleaning...yeah right couldn't be making sure they were cleaning/not playing so I counted backwards from 30 and that worked better
BeSeeLisa - Does it use cards/ dice as well/ I don't know the program...
mrsd - I teach k too
Sandi - Yes there are dice games and card games
NYCSarah - My school hasn't set up any EM workshops and we're supposed to use it for the first time in K. Where can I get the info? I can't wait til Sept. to read the teacher guide
Janeen - Parents felt the workbook didn't give them enough to go on if their child had questions at home.
BeSeeLisa - Oh man Sandi-- you can get yours to clean??
mudbug - it's best if you make alot of games so that you have partners and the whole class is playing the same game. This works well in kindergarten
Sandi - The more you use it the easier it will be. The new version is similar to the older one that I had used but the order is different for the lessons
russ - I often hear about good programs that do not have a lot of basic practice in them. Is this not something that anyone can create, but not need a textbook company to create for them?
BeSeeLisa - May I ask what you all teach? I teach 5/6, moving to 4 or 4/5 next year
mudbug - i teach kindergarten
Janeen - 4th grade here
Lynn - I teach 3rd.
russ - 7th
mrsd - K for me too
Sandi - I also would send home a version for families. I found they could learn the game faster then they would play with classmates. Cuz it does no good if they are playing it and not reading the numerals correct or counting the correct spaces or whatever
Sandi - K
mudbug - didn't know the program changed a little
BeSeeLisa - russ-- I hear that about alot of the newer programs-- We have oiloted a few up here-- same complaint
NYCSarah - Iguess I cannot be in this meeting unless I've used or am at least a little familiar with EM?
Sandi - You can buy a set of the games. They ordered that for us this year. THey are so nice
BeSeeLisa - lol-- oiloted is how we spell piloted in Canada
mudbug - are the games already made--i had to make mine
russ - I do not see it as a valid complin though, since it is so easy to create practice for whatever each student needs.
Janeen - Home game is a good idea Sandi...they would have more confidence too....
russ - complaint...oops
mrsd - We don't have the manipulative sets for EM - I made a lot of my own
Lynn - NYCSarah, check out Kent,WA school district web site. hey use everyday math and I think there are lesson plans there.
Kathleen - NYCSarah, all are welcome to participate, regardless of familiarity with Everyday Math, this is intended as a learning session, too.
Sandi - The games are already made but it isn't so hard to make them too it's just nice to have a pretty set. I laminate them and the teacher made ones last forever
BeSeeLisa - russ-- there is a lot to be said for old fashioned drill and practice too-- nothing wrong with that
Jackie - We send home the games for the families to play and it works out great
mudbug - are the teacher made ones already laminated
NYCSarah - THank you Kathleen. And thank you Lynn. I will check out the website.
Sandi - Again this is k-level, but I do "drill and practice" in games and while waiting in line and other kinds of teacable opportunities
russ - true, but drill and practice is not the learning, that comes afterwards.
BeSeeLisa - NYCSarah-- How do you LIKE the program, compared to others?
Sandi - yes the teacher made ones are laminated
mudbug - we had a workshop and made everything
Sandi - teachable moments,,,sorry
mudbug - what is the difference between the old program and the new program?
Lynn - For third the games aren't laminated unless teachers do it in our school
Jackie - Is this EDM chat every week?
BeSeeLisa - That's what I mean russ-- learn the concept, practice it in all forms
Sandi - for kindergarten there are better homelinks, minute math is exactly the same, the order of the lessons in the teacher's guide is different, it is clearer what the focus is for the lessons
russ - exactly. One doesn't need a program to provide the practice, and I would expect the teacher to individualize the practice needed for the specific class and/or student.
Sandi - There are only a couple of lessons that are different, they added the clean up routine and I think there was one other difference
mudbug - what is minutemath
NYCSarah - BeSeeLisa, I havent done EM yet. September will be the first time our school is using it. I have no info on it yet
BeSeeLisa - Also, i find I have different "practice" strategies, based on the kids I've got each year
Sandi - I did finish the entire Kdg curriculum guide this year! There are guideposts to help you know where the kids should be
Sandi - My lower kids are higher than they ever were before
Jackie - If you are using it in Sept you really need to be looking over the manuals over the summer
BeSeeLisa - Oh ok sarah-- Do you know why your school chose the program?
mudbug - sandi, not familar with the term "minute math"
Lynn - I agree Russ. When we adopted the program Everyday Math told us not to supplement, but we did anyway.
Sandi - minute math are very quick math lessons like what comes after 4, what comes after 6, what is one less than 17 or a number story or questions like what is lighter an elephant or a feather.
mrsd - I finished the kg guide this year too - didn't come close last year
Jackie - minute math is just stuff that can be done quickly
NYCSarah - I don't know. This will actually be the end of my very first year, so I've only expereinced one math program. I don't know why they chose this one, but I hear good things. We just haven't been updated on any workshops to teach US how to use it
Jackie - and usually mentally
Sandi - I do it or similar type things waiting in line at the end of calendar each day...or just before they go home while some are still waiting
mudbug - is that in the teachers guide
Sandi - I liked that I could keep pace even in a half day program
Sandi - the minute math is separate little booklet
Jackie - there is a small book that comes with the program that is called minute math, you can use it any time
russ - I don't consider practice supplemetation, I see it as the natural continuation of the learning process. Supplemetation is the addition of other concepts not within the program.
Sandi - The parents liked the midyear assessment/progress report
Sandi - We were lucky our new kindergarten report card reflects the EM benchmarks so it was SOOO NICE this year!
BeSeeLisa - Sure-- it's like saying don't do any descriptive writing outside of english class...silly
Jackie - this is my first year with the program, and I'm still looking for different assessment ideas, I know the book talks about them,but does anyone have any suggestions
Sandi - I did only the core lessons as class, group lessons or centers and did the other lessons as center activities or didn't do them. As long as you do all the core for sure, 4-5 a week it works
moomoo - Hello to all. I'm not familiar with this program, would it be good for Spec. ed.?
BeSeeLisa - Hi moo moo-- i don't know enough about it to say.....
Lynn - Russ, a matter of semantics --we were told not to add practice sheets, other ways to teach concepts other than what Everyday math said.
Sandi - Depends how they learn. The manipulative/hands on stuff would be helpful for sp ed but for them it would be easiest if they started from beginning
frances2 - It really works better for the upper students. My lower levels get lost, but the program insists it comes back for them when theya re ready.
MathMama03 - hello
MathMama03 - hello
Sandi - I would think it would be hard for a 5th grade student to start 5th grade EM having not done it esp if they have never had the EM before
BeSeeLisa - So Lynn-- if you followed the program exactly, how much time per week would you need? Is there enough practice for mastery?
BeSeeLisa - Hi MathMama
mudbug - hello mathmama
Sandi - and they were spe ed
Jackie - All skills are not supposed to be taught to mastery, I think thats the hardest part of the program
Sandi - The games are what give you the practice and it is hard to believe no one has said it yet but the curriculum spirals they keep going back to the different strands but at the next level, initially you are dealing say with numeration to 10 then soon it is to 20 then et.c
Lynn - When I taught 6th grade I spent 90 minutes on Math a day. I don't think there is enough and so I added additional activities. This year in 3rd I spent 60 minutes aday.
BeSeeLisa - Sandi-- YES-- that was one of the problems we found with MathQuest 2000-- it needed to be started at K and move up year by year
russ - lynn, that makes no sense.
moomoo - OK, just curious
moomoo - Good night to all
Sandi - I do think too you can't do it "half way" you can certainly supplement and all but you have to follow the program
mudbug - why not russ--she's teaching a lower grade
BeSeeLisa - 90 MINUTES a DAY?? oh my.......... *gulp* **feeling inadequate**
Jackie - When I supplement, I develop worksheets that review the secure goals
frances2 - It is hard to get used to, but our math scores have really climbed.
russ - That shouldn't matter, if you see that a student would benefit from additional practice, they are forbidden to provide it? That is what makes no sense.
Sandi - Besides the 10-15 minute daily math lesson, and calendar, I have a math center as part of our bell centers and a math center that is part of our learning centers. Plus math activities are available during free choice. I encourage follow through at home. I\
Lynn - Russ, I just followed the teacher's manual. That's teh amount of time it would take.
BeSeeLisa - Frances-- what grade so you teach, and how long have you used the program?
Sandi - I sent home the home links each Friday with a note tha tparents were to sign and comment on about how kids did. Next year I'm gonna make sure I leave time on Monday to discuss the homelinks even if for 5 minutes
mudbug - bell centers????
russ - lynn... I think I missed on of your posts, and was replying to an earlier one.
Jackie - We were told to make sure we did parts 1 & 2 and if time allowed to do part 3, this was from an EDM rep, and I only use an hour for second grade
Lynn - Now I understand --I did give extra help for those who needed it.
frances2 - I taught this math in 2, 3 and 4th grades. I have used it for four years, and my school for five. We are all just starting to reach our peak witht he program.
russ - lynn, did they really tell you not to do the practice though?
Sandi - Bell centers --table activities or center activities kids do at arrival until we do calendar while I go quickly through folders, talk to parents, listen to kids read'/select books to take home as part fo their take home bags
BeSeeLisa - ok frances-- thank you
mudbug - oh, ok sandi
frances2 - Our math scores were all in the 90th this year.
mudbug - our kids are not allowed to come into the classroom until the bell rings so i'm not used to that
Lynn - I think the Everyday Math company wants only their program used. It doesn't work that well on some things and so I add more activities to secure mastery.
BeSeeLisa - wow Frances....
BeSeeLisa - Lyn-- what areas did you find it weak in?
Sandi - We had EM in our district for 8 years but not all teachers followed it. Now we are all on board. Kdg always was so with 1st grade really on board last year I'm looking forward to 2nd grade being that much better,
russ - BRB
CPBULLY223 - G.E.D
BeSeeLisa - sure Sandi--makes sense
Lynn - Russ, the people who came said just use our program , don't add additional activities. But we did because it wasn't working.
Sandi - Oh the bell does ring I'm talking about bell rings at 8:30 and tardy at 8:35 but for the first 25 minutes kids do this
frances2 - I love this math series. When I taught third, I never saw kids learn multiplication facts so fast. That was after teaching 3rd in another district for 11 years. It really teaches them to be mathematical thinkers. My son is also in the district and has been in the program since he was in 2nd. He is in fifth, and can do math around me!!!!
Jackie - Lynn, you have to make sure that the goals are secure or else they are not supposed to have mastered them
BeSeeLisa - Pardon Bully?
mudbug - why not mastery??
CPBULLY223 - substitute teachers'chat
frances2 - Boy we are a colorful group of chatters!
Jackie - Thats the way EDM works, some skills are only beginning skills to be introduced and later revisited
Sandi - Frances2 or anyone else....again I have a fifth (well he is in 6th as of today) and one of his homework assignments was the stems and leaves....tell me why they used a sunflower to have the kids demonstrate this...took me forever and the family resource thing to figure that out...
BeSeeLisa - Bully-- no, tonight it math chat
Sandi - do you guys no what I'm talking about?
BeSeeLisa - Sunflowers follow the Fibonacchi pattern
frances2 - Sorry sandi!
Sandi - My son was counting the stems and leaves not doing the 10s and 1s thing. Finally figure dthat out!
Jackie - Does anyone belong to the EDM listserv? Its a wealth of information
BeSeeLisa - Oh--ok-- not fibonacchi number problem then, if it invollved the stems and leaves
russ - And, Jackie, thats the way all math works too.
BeSeeLisa - *involved*
Lynn - Jackie, I understand making sure they are secure , but when I get a student who can't add or subtract then I need to g
Jackie - I was just saying, thats why we dont teach everything to mastery
BeSeeLisa - I see Jackie-- I understand-- sometimes it is just an introduction....
Lynn - Forgot to add give extra help.
Jackie - well addition and subtraction for me,( 2nd) is a secure goal, and that would be another problem, if someone couldnt do that....I'd supplement till the cows came home in that case
Sandi - We had a consultant who had a thing about having the growing numberline go all the way around the room and at their eye level. I udnerstand the concept but not gonna happen in my room ! So I did it in 3 rows and my kids were none the worse for it going in strips of 60!
Lynn - I did the same thing Sandy.
Sandi - Well nice talking with all of you..have a great summer, Good luck with EM I love it!
BeSeeLisa - Bye Sandi-- thanks for the insight
mudbug - yea, i had it going all around my room the first year and I was climbing over everything to get it going around my room!!!
Jackie - my number line goes around the room, but not at their eye level.....That would be covered up with desks and tables....
BeSeeLisa - I best go too.....nice talking to you all
russ - It always amazes me what the consultants have as their pet idea, when it is the learning that should be important
Sandi - Bye
Jackie - you should hear the consultants on the listserv.....they really have their pet ideas
Lynn - I like the program . The Math scores grew from fall to spring on our state testing.
russ - I bet!
BeSeeLisa - **waves to the room**
Josie - I got here late! Sorry! Where can I go to find the EDM listserv? Thanks!
russ - bye all.
Jackie - http://everydaymath.uchicago.edu/
Jackie - I think thats it, if not, you'll be able to find it from that
Josie - Thank you, Jackie! We are starting this year.
Lynn - Thanks for the web site. Have a good summer all.
Jackie - join the listserv, a lot of consultants write on it everyday..and its been a great help, this was my first year
Josie - I am supposed to go to a week long in-service with the makers of EDM and get all the 'stuff' for the program.
Josie - What sort of books do you use to supplement?
Jackie - I love it, but it is a lot of work, and you have to get the idea of the spiral effect and not get too upset if the students are not getting a beginning goal......thats the hardest part for me
Jackie - I dont have the time to supplement....I use the worksheet maker cd and make up worksheets on secure goals that they need extra practice on
Josie - Is a lot of material re-visited? If so, how often?
Jackie - make sure you get the worksheet maker cd...Its called the Assessment assistant......things are revisited all the time......everyday
frances2 - I see it revisited very often!
Josie - A group that used EDM told us that we would HAVE to supplement for it to be a complete program.
Jackie - there are pages called mathboxes and they review everything all the time
Josie - They said that it didn't teach double digit addition and subtraction. UGH!
Jackie - what grade? I teach 2nd and it does
Josie - I saw the mathboxes. They looked good. What do you assess with?
frances2 - It does teach those objectives in second, third and fourth grades.
Jackie - thats my weakest area......I make up my own on the worksheet maker
Josie - That's good that those are taught! I was getting worried. I teach 2nd too.
frances2 - There are end of the unit assessments, but they only assess whether or not there is mastery. It is hard!
Jackie - they just teach it a little differently......the kids really get it, but its the parents who dont like it because its new
Josie - The people that introduced us to EDM told us to invest in Evan Moor Daily Math, and Word problems
frances2 - To help the parents, we held several parent nights. It really worked well for us.
Josie - The parents are going to be COMPLETELY upset b/c we've been using Saxon.
Jackie - thats the great thing about EDM, my students are great at word problems,because they are great math thinkers
frances2 - We did one game night, one math boxes night, and just an informational night. We did these for the first three years we used the program. It really helped.
Josie - I wonder why they would say to supplement so much? I'm going to do what I can do and pray a lot!
Jackie - My parents just had a problem with the "trade first" and the "partial sums" I should have taught them first!!
Jackie - The big reason why people supplement (I think) is because we are used to more drills, and EDM uses the game format for their drills.....the homework seems to be very small....but its been working for me
Josie - Did the parents 'get it' after the math nights?
Josie - What do you use for homework?
Jackie - The homelinks.....and again sometimes I'll make up a worksheet from the CD
Jackie - This year, I've only got to unit 11.....We are still in school and I'm going to try to introduce 12, but they say you should finish the program.....do you frances?
Josie - Any helpful hints on how to approach the first unit and start up of the program
jodi - sorry to butt into your meeting but I have a math question. I take my National Board test soon and on the practice test there is a question that deals with roots/ zero. Can anyone tell me what they are asking? Thanks
frances2 - The parents really did back off after the math nights. I also told them that if their was a homelink studylik\nk they didn't understand, their child should skip it and come in early for help.
Jackie - I would say to get your games ready.....and be familar with your TE
frances2 - If you are second grade, get your math bags ready and labeled. I use class numbers.
Josie - Not a clue on the roots/ zero question. I'm not really a mathematician!!
Jackie - Jodi......no clue, sorry
Josie - What do you mean by class numbers, Frances?
Jackie - I've marked my TE with stickers to show which goals are secure and so on....I use a red dot for secure, to show I need to stop andmake sure its mastered
frances2 - I have a number for each student and that corrisponds with their math manipulatives. Each has a bag numbered with their number and includes template, calculator, dice, and what ever else.
frances2 - corresponds
Josie - By secure, do you mean the skills they must master at that point?
jodi - Thanks again -- your Everyday Math program really sounds interesting. I wish that I had time to stay to find out more. Is that for middle school kids?
Jackie - I also print up the math messages.....and this year I have one of my very helpful students putting them into "math message books" for next year
frances2 - I have used it in 2, 3 and 4th.
Jackie - I think Connected Math is for grades above 6
Josie - Do you pass out each child's bag, or do you pass out what you need at the time?
frances2 - I think so, my son is 5th and 6th.
Josie - Are the math messages a part of the program? I haven't seen that!
frances2 - At the beginning of the year I keep them in tubs so they won't play with them. Later on, I have them keep them in their desks.
jodi - I'll try to find out more later. Have a good evening. Thanks again Jo
Josie - My son used EDM in 5th. He loved it!
Jackie - yeah......really study your TE.......I did last summer and it seemed to help
frances2 - Bye jodi!
Josie - Bye Jodi!
Jackie - I have all of the math messages on the computer.....my rep sent them to us....if you want a copy I'll send them to you
frances2 - I take and run off a unit at a time, so I will be ready when the time comes. Did you all separate your books into a binder?
Josie - It's a little overwhelming right now! Maybe it will be better after the in-service. I hope so!!
Jackie - I'm really neurotic....I have a binder for each unit
Josie - I would love a copy,
frances2 - I usually plan for a unit at a time. Wow, Jackie!!!
Jackie - yeah, and get on the listserv.....you can always ask for whatever you need.....someone is always willing to share
Josie - Sorry, my e-mail is stevens4@cableone.net
Jackie - Well, I've just started that as this past year progressed, I hope to be totally organized by next year
frances2 - Josie, part of the inservice is to separate your master copies into pages in a binder.
Josie - all of you are so great to put up with a newbie like me!!
frances2 - Sorry, sent after your post
Jackie - I just love EDM, so I love to talk about it.....the other teachers tease me about the listserv......because I'm always saying, "on the listserv, I found this or that"
Josie - I know I will be ok. It's just so different from Saxon. I could teach that in my sleep!
frances2 - I love it too. When it is time for math, my kids cheer. How's that!
Jackie - oh well, got to watch Law & order!! If this chat is every week, maybe I'll see you next week.....or on the listserv......I'll send you those math messages
frances2 - By Jackie!
Josie - Love it! I'm going to sign up tonight for the list serv. Thanks again! Bye!
frances2 - Bye Josie!
Jackie - ok, one more thing.....my kids wrote letters to next years second graders, three paragraphs, one with what we've learned, one with fun stuff and one with hints......I got so many asking where should we put the math games? They are work, but they are so much fun!!! I love it

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