Counting Spots

The Primary Path to Algebra!! Providing the best conceptual materials and fun PD to support teachers as they guide their students to numeracy comprehension.

[Counting Spots @CountingSpots]

Many girls develop disordered eating or other unhealthy habits during these formative years.
The smallest comment can have a huge impact. Don’t make that comment! Don’t be the reason!

Thank you @Dove for giving a voice to girls/women and helping them be who they’re meant to be.

[Bonnie Bernstein @BonnieBernstein]

This spot makes me tear up, every time I see it.

We who play understand what sports gives us…

Body confidence is such a big part of that.

Thank you @Dove for leaning in here 💕

[Counting Spots @CountingSpots]

@LamarforKY At least Ray can run!! ❤️

[Counting Spots @CountingSpots]

It’s interesting… the exact same principle applies to memorizing facts over problem solving and thinking. What is happening? Don’t we EVER learn from past mistakes? @USMathRecovery @MathEdLeaders @NCTM @gerrybrooksprin @shelley_math

[Helen Proulx @HelenProulx2]

“When we prioritize phonics over comprehension, struggling readers get lost in the shuffle.”

[Counting Spots @CountingSpots]

@MrsSheehanMath @mr_davis_math Have you had them try to put the equations into stories. If you’re using the balance, or other hands-on materials, have them draw it to solve it as well. Then they can start to see where the manipulatives connect with the formal algorithm.
Good luck!

[Counting Spots @CountingSpots]

@Erica__Beckett We are so happy to send this math joy to your door! Can’t wait to see the kids in action!! #spotsees #mathwithSpot #primarypathtoalgebra #teacherlife #mathjoy

[Erica Beckett @Erica__Beckett]

Thank you to Shelley & team @CountingSpots for my first counting spots box! I can’t wait to see all the math joy these resources bring 🤗

[Counting Spots @CountingSpots]

@pwharris @llmmsm @CountingSpots
Put them into groups, structure those groups, find easier ways to count, so much learning and processing is happening with these simple tasks. Base Ten understanding is crucial to the development of numeracy. Without it, we rely on tricks and answer getting. 😭

[Counting Spots @CountingSpots]

@pwharris @llmmsm Pam,
Thank you for bringing these conversations forward. I work with PK-5 teachers and I have been saying this over and over for years!! Kids have to experience conceptual base ten place value, they can’t learn it from a worksheet. Sticks, beads, beans, goldfish…-count it all!

[Counting Spots @CountingSpots]

@nick_shales @pwharris Not sure what you consider “young students” but unless they can build it and break it, it doesn’t exist as a set for MOST kids. Yes, there are always exceptions. Base 10 blocks are just blocks to K-1-2 students. Different sizes and shapes, but all blocks and often counted by 1.

[Counting Spots @CountingSpots]

@BrianAdams66 @pwharris Kids love to count things. Rather than filling out a place value worksheet, give them a tub a popsicle sticks and see who can grab the most. Then have them prove it by counting their sticks, making sets of 10, then 100s. Just ONE of many simple things to build conceptual PV. 😁

[Counting Spots @CountingSpots]

@BrianAdams66 @pwharris Yes!! Lots of ideas! The first one is DON’T use base Ten Blocks until kids understand base ten. This is NOT understanding place Labeling but understanding that 10 ones make 10, and 10 tens make 100, etc… the best way to do that is to let them BUILD NUMBERS! It’s fun, easy and

[Counting Spots @CountingSpots]

@AlexisMcandrew @robertkaplinsky how to teach guided reading. No proper training = no/bad results = throw it away.

Science of math is the same way. From what I can tell, there is no research behind it, it is simply jumping on this same bandwagon in order to return to “basic math”.

[Counting Spots @CountingSpots]

@AlexisMcandrew @robertkaplinsky “Guess” isn’t exactly what they’re supposed to do. Like other things, the training and research behind guided reading was forgotten and schools just started doing “guided reading groups”. Without the proper training on phonics and context cues, teachers were made to “guess”

[Counting Spots @CountingSpots]

@dr_jamesavery @PrincipalCCW Totally agree. I always called all my interviewees to let them know. It’s called Respect and Courtesy! I don’t understand why it’s so difficult???

[Counting Spots @CountingSpots]

So, what’s your strategy for this one ⁦⁦@pwharris⁩ ⁩? I’d love to get your insights? #primarypathtoalgebra #spotsees https://t.co/V42RgPLXMF

[Counting Spots @CountingSpots]

Math is all about art, and joy and yes, sometimes what seems like magic!!

[Shelley Dickson @shelley_math]

What fun is math with no joy, art or magic?

[Counting Spots @CountingSpots]

Spot sees new possibilities! Hope is the future!! #MRConf23 #spotsees

[Lesley Maxfield @LesleyMaxf26972]

US Math Recovery conference is here! Hope and new possibilities for math education #mrconf23

[Counting Spots @CountingSpots]

So honored to work with the group of educators from @USMathRecovery.
My introduction to this amazing learning started in 2012 and it changed my life!! Thank you!! #MRConf23 #spotsees #primarypath2algebra

[Integrow Numeracy Solutions @integrowmath]

We were thrilled to present the 2022 Educator Award to Shelley Dickson of Fayette County Public Schools, Lexington, KY. Congratulations, Shelley! #MRConf23

[Counting Spots @CountingSpots]

@pearse_margie Love this!!! Thanks for sharing!

[Counting Spots @CountingSpots]

@LSUwten That’s awesome!! Go team Carrington!!

[Counting Spots @CountingSpots]

@Brink_Thinker Heck yes!!