Have You Turned a Page Lately

With all the new technology out there. When was the last time you turned an actual page in a book. I personally like to turn pages and use bookmarks, but is that the age of the dinosaur. I have two children that are growing up in the age of technology and for me to give them a book is almost like an act of Congress to get them to read. My youngest is four years old and loves to read except he would rather read a book on a tablet than read an actual book. I wonder has technology taken away from just reading a good book or has it added to new age renovations. If we are moving towards ebooks, what am I going to do with all my books and bookshelves?

Is it worth the time?

Since I started this blog, I have found that there are so many resources on the Internet that refer to mathematics and literacy. The one question that runs through my mind over and over is should I or should I not look at it? Some times when there are so many resources, it is hard to narrow it down to the ones that are really good. I guess I should guess some specifications for what "I" think are good resources.


I look for resources that include materials that I can use in my classroom with small groups, the whole class and that have differentiation aspects. Reinventing the wheel is so unnecessary. There are so many educators out there that have excellent ideas that don't need to be modified so why not use that idea and run with it. I like to give credit where it is due so remember that when using others' ideas.


Lesson planning is a topic for me that varies from place to place, school to school, county to county and even state to state. With the issue of many states changing to common core standards, the curriculum for students will start to become uniform. Resources that reference common core standards and correlations between the standard course of study are highlights to what I also look for. Many of the things that teachers are currently doing will fit into this new fashion of instruction but will just be named something different so why change something that is already working.


One reference that most will want to become familiar with is www.corestandards.org. This site will help get you on your way to better understanding the current change in education.

Math Organization for the Professional

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

I first got interested in this organization when I was getting my Masters in Elementary Education. I presented at a mini session for integrating technology into the mathematics curriculum. While preparing for my session, I referenced several articles and journals on this site.

This classroom resource has many sections to it. The content of the website is dedicated specifically to mathematics. The subject matter consisted of journals and books on a variety of mathematical topics that range from elementary to higher education. This site is very helpful to those looking for clarity or various viewpoints on mathematics. With the mathematical curriculum gearing itself to common core standards that will be recognized nationwide not just statewide, lesson plans and resources are provided. To look at the majority of the journals presented, you have to be a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. The journals that are available range from average teachers to knowledgeable professors that have researched many topics in great detail. Information on professional development opportunities are listed on the website for those interested in expanded their background knowledge. Helpful resources, for families that want to help their students improve in a specific area, are also available for observation. One of the links that is associated with this website is illuminations.nctm.org. I can say from experience that this link has been very helpful to me also as an educator. For novice or experienced teachers, teaching tips are given because as an educator of any subject, learning the new trends in instructional techniques is an on-going process for a facilitator of education.

Link to site: http://www.nctm.org/

Evaluation of Math Bookmark

I began a social bookmarking site and found so many more resources on the same topics that interest me. My bookmarks are focused on literacy and mathematics, but while I was there some of the same sites that I referenced were popular with several other people. One of the websites, I referenced was Mathisfun. It is a site devoted to many different mathematical topics. It includes vocabulary and examples that are geared to young children because of the words and pictures that are used to explain the concepts at hand. The explanations for topics range from number recognition to algebra and geometry terms. The website appeals to children with the colors and animations which keep the students interested in the academics that are being taught. Check out the website and ask your students to evaluate it so you will know for sure that this is a good reference for all ages when it comes to mathematics.

The link to my bookmarks is on the side of this blog and here is the link to Math is Fun http://www.mathisfun.com.