Beth Waller

Fourth grade teacher in Bettendorf, Iowa, mom of 2, wife, life-long learner.

[Beth Waller @bethannwaller]

@MidAm_EnergyCo Out here in Davenport, Iowa behind Northpark Mall at about 11:30. Whole neighborhood is down.

[Beth Waller @bethannwaller]

Survived ISASP week at our school, and my students rocked their behaviors during it. So thankful to have it done and over with so I can focus on actual teaching! #proudteacher

[Beth Waller @bethannwaller]

4th grade classroom looking for some help to start the year off on a good foot. I appreciate your time and any donations you might be able to make. Thanks!
#clearthelist
https://t.co/TIFdYQe3yY

[Beth Waller @bethannwaller]

Just because you are using manipulatives in math does not mean that students are modeling. It needs to be contextual and collaboration and discussions need to occur. @aprilpfortsiowa @gfletchy #iowamath #ianuns

[Beth Waller @bethannwaller]

Excited to do more decomposition of numbers this year in fourth grade, and especially to use it in division with the number bonds strategy and leading into partial quotients, rather than just traditional algorithm division. @aprilpfortsiowa @BuildMathMinds #iowamath #ianuns

[Beth Waller @bethannwaller]

Using t-charts to demonstrate relationships between numbers in a function table can lead to beginning understanding of ration and proportions for my fourth graders! Definitely more of these in class this year! @aprilpfortsiowa @gfletchy #iowamath #ianuns

[Beth Waller @bethannwaller]

When addressing students' maths misconceptions, try going back a step or two from where the misunderstanding is and use questioning methods to guide students to find their own mistakes. @aprilpfortsiowa @BuildMathMinds #iowamath #ianuns

[Beth Waller @bethannwaller]

When teaching fraction equivalence, we need to remember that certain equivalences are used more commonly in the everyday world and place emphasis on those (halves and wholes), rather than practicing tons of unnecessary ones. @aprilpfortsiowa @BuildMathMinds #iowamath #ianuns

[Beth Waller @bethannwaller]

So many people are focused on getting the right answer in math, and that is important, but love that Graham Fletchy states that we really need to delve into student thinking over correct answers! So important! @aprilpfortsiowa @gfletchy #iowamath #ianuns

[Beth Waller @bethannwaller]

Lightbulb moment for counting: I need to be more intentional with how I record the numbers when counting around the circle so that students can see different patterns and relationships. @aprilpfortsiowa @BuildMathMinds #iowamath #ianuns

[Beth Waller @bethannwaller]

If we can relate student understanding of whole numbers to operations of fractions, it makes much more sense to students. This is why teachers don't need to use "tricks" if we build students conceptual understanding of fractions. @aprilpfortsiowa @BuildMathMinds #iowamath #ianuns

[Beth Waller @bethannwaller]

Sometimes the simplest things teachers can do in maths can lead to higher test scores, such as working on spatial relationships even in the upper elementary grades. Relationships are not just about classroom management! @aprilpfortsiowa @BuildMathMinds #iowamath #ianuns

[Beth Waller @bethannwaller]

Important to not always show amounts in the same way in maths...unbundle, mix it up, BUILD students number sense, even with larger numbers in upper elementary. The visuals that we use matter. @aprilpfortsiowa @BuildMathMinds #iowamath #ianuns

[Beth Waller @bethannwaller]

Never thought about using a common numerator to compare fractions such as 2/13 and 3/17...mind blown and I have a great new strategy to introduce to students! @aprilpfortsiowa @gfletchy #iowamath #ianuns

[Beth Waller @bethannwaller]

Excited to try some verbal counting activities with multiplication, division, and fractions with my fourth graders, such as 7 ones x 2=14 ones, 7 tens x 2=14 tens and so on. Emphasize the structure! @aprilpfortsiowa @BuildMathMinds #iowamath #ianuns

[Beth Waller @bethannwaller]

Strategies in math are good and necessary, but we also need to build automaticity and fluency with those strategies through meaningful practice. Games and meaningful tasks are ways to do this. @aprilpfortsiowa #iowamath #ianuns

[Beth Waller @bethannwaller]

Students struggling with fractions? From Graham Fletcher, "Fractions are like the gatekeeper of algebraic reasoning." So important to build fraction number sense! @aprilpfortsiowa #iowamath #ianuns

[Beth Waller @bethannwaller]

Use Ten Frames to represent multiplication facts, it helps students subitize amounts. Never thought about using Ten Frames in fourth grade, but will be now! @aprilpfortsiowa #iowamath #ianuns

[Beth Waller @bethannwaller]

If students understand benchmarks of 5 and 10, then ANY number they work with is within 2 of those friendly numbers...wow! Powerful. #ianuns

[Beth Waller @bethannwaller]

One reason students struggle with fractions or decimals is a lack of spatial relationships. Need to build on that knowledge. #ianunus #iowamath