{"id":3524,"date":"2020-03-27T07:30:59","date_gmt":"2020-03-27T11:30:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/teachersfirst.com\/blog\/?p=3524"},"modified":"2020-04-16T17:24:23","modified_gmt":"2020-04-16T21:24:23","slug":"using-technology-for-virtual-and-in-school-math-groups","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/2020\/03\/using-technology-for-virtual-and-in-school-math-groups\/","title":{"rendered":"Using Technology for Virtual and In-School Math Groups"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/teachersfirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/2020-MAR-Using-Technology-for-Virtual-and-In-School-Math-Groups-.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3535\" src=\"http:\/\/teachersfirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/2020-MAR-Using-Technology-for-Virtual-and-In-School-Math-Groups--200x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/2020-MAR-Using-Technology-for-Virtual-and-In-School-Math-Groups--200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/2020-MAR-Using-Technology-for-Virtual-and-In-School-Math-Groups--683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/2020-MAR-Using-Technology-for-Virtual-and-In-School-Math-Groups-.png 735w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>As I write this blog, millions of students are out of school, some indefinitely, due to closures related to the coronavirus outbreak. Educators immediately jumped into action to provide at-home lessons for students. Some sent home learning packets; others didn\u2019t even have time to prepare at-home materials yet have found ways to stay in touch with their students and continue delivering lessons to their students.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is heartening to see the many reports of teachers using technology to stay in touch with students and provide the comforts of school from a distance. Perhaps one component of education to analyze when life returns to \u201cnormal\u201d is the importance of having a technology plan in place for both \u201cnormal\u201d learning situations and the unexpected.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">My original intent was to share guidelines and suggestions for use with in-school math groups as we take the time to celebrate Math Awareness Month. Given the current uncertainties on when students will return to school, the ideas are adapted to include ideas for use in remote learning situations that quickly adapt to in-school use.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These collections created by TeachersFirst provide a quick start along with guidance on how to start remote learning and are divided into grade-level bands. Let\u2019s take a look at each of them and how to modify for use with math groups either at-home or in-school.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wke.lt\/w\/s\/NPmPf_\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Math\/Science K-2 collection<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep in mind tips shared for younger students. Allow time for students to explore any new websites before assigning work. Make adjustments for using the technology, keeping in mind what is available and what kind of support your younger students have in completing their tasks.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One resource shared in this collection is<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.turtlediary.com\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Turtle Diary<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/single.cfm?id=13762\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TeachersFirst review<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). The different grade levels and concepts practiced on Turtle Diary lend themselves to differentiation for math groups. Share specific games with parents that meet individual student\u2019s learning needs. If learning from home, think of the various groupings as your virtual math groups.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For students to demonstrate learning,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.abcya.com\/games\/animate\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ABCya Animate<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/single.cfm?id=13701\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TeachersFirst review<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) lets students create animations. For virtual learning needs, create a short screencast using<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/screencast-o-matic.com\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Screencast-O-Matic<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/single.cfm?id=9564\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TeachersFirst review<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) or share a link to a YouTube tutorial with parents on how to make and share their animations. Be sure to post student creations on your website or blog for classmates to share their learning with peers.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wke.lt\/w\/s\/qFTO1M\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Math\/Science Grades 3-5 collection<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Students in these grades are more independent than primary-level students; however, they need specific directions and information to stay focused on the assigned task. When necessary, share or create tutorials to provide expectations for learning objectives and any work to be submitted.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This collection features the website,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.prodigygame.com\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prodigy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/single.cfm?id=16087\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TeachersFirst review<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Prodigy helps you create math groups by assigning game-based content based on your learning objectives. Use your Prodigy dashboard to assess student learning and adjust groups as needed. Keep parents in the loop by sharing your curriculum goals and how they match up with the assigned content.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/info.flipgrid.com\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flipgrid<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/single.cfm?id=17677\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TeachersFirst review<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) to share learning with whole-class and group lessons. Create discussion questions, or visit the Disco Library to find ideas to adapt to your needs. For example,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/admin.flipgrid.com\/manage\/discovery\/258\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this topic<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> encourages students to discuss Would You Rather math questions and would be an excellent idea for whole-class discussions or as a weekly prompt. When using groups,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/admin.flipgrid.com\/manage\/discovery\/8318\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this topic<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> asks students to share what they know about fractions. Adjust this to fit the content and difficulty of lessons within your in-school or virtual math groups.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wke.lt\/w\/s\/w_MhMp\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Math\/Science Grade 6-8 collection<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Students in these grades need routines and specific expectations. Try to match up virtual learning experiences closely with classroom routines. Collaborative online projects provide an excellent opportunity to maintain social learning, along with achieving curricular objectives.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/phet.colorado.edu\/en\/simulations\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PhET Interactives<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/single.cfm?id=9264\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TeachersFirst review<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) are engaging math and science simulations that provide students the opportunity to experiment with math concepts through explorations and games. Use these interactives to practice and review skills as needed, and offer opportunities to explore new concepts. When appointing math groups, consider assigning a topic for each group then rotate content weekly. Many of the activities have links for teacher use, and these links include printable lesson plans and activities to provide focus while using the site.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wakelet.com\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wakelet<\/span><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/single.cfm?id=17619\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(TeachersFirst review<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) for students to show what they know. Create a Wakelet collection for each group to share their learning. The Math\/Science collection includes some templates with ideas on how to create and share templates for assessment.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Students\u2019, parents\u2019, and educators\u2019 lives are turned upside down by the consequences of the coronavirus. It is essential to work together to provide emotional and academic support to all. As you think about how to adjust math instruction, consider using virtual math groups as an option for remote learning. When life returns to normal, these ideas easily integrate into regular instructional practices. Find a complete list of all of TeachersFirst\u2019s remote learning collections at<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wakelet.com\/@SFLOK2Ask\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/wakelet.com\/@SFLOK2Ask<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do you need additional ideas or suggestions? We are here to help. Share in the comments what works for you, what doesn\u2019t work, or any other thoughts that might help our readers. We are all in this together.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As I write this blog, millions of students are out of school, some indefinitely, due to closures related to the coronavirus outbreak. Educators immediately jumped into action to provide at-home lessons for students. Some sent home learning packets; others didn\u2019t even have time to prepare at-home materials yet have found ways to stay in touch &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/2020\/03\/using-technology-for-virtual-and-in-school-math-groups\/\" class=\"more-link\">read more &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[212,50,45,70],"class_list":["post-3524","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-classroom-application","tag-covid-19","tag-instructional-strategies","tag-math","tag-tech-tools"],"modified_by":"Karen Streeter","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3524","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3524"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3524\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3533,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3524\/revisions\/3533"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3524"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3524"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3524"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}