Gator Run Friday Focus - October 2, 2015

I am seeing a lot of great things with mathematics instruction these past few weeks.  Any time you can make math relevant and hands-on, you are helping our students connect with the content.  Visiting third grade classrooms has really been enlightening.  The data projects they are doing are awesome and I love what Ms. Dousdebes did with having groups of students create graphs using the floor tiles.  My lunch time conversations with students throughout the years provide me with insight into their thoughts on math.  Often it is not a favorite subject for them because as they tell me "I'm not good at math".  Now, obviously there are many individuals that will struggle with math.  However, we need to make math come alive if we are ever going to have hope to reach all of our students.  GoMath is simply a resource and not the only means that we have to teach the standards that we are responsible for.  I encourage you and your teams to determine how best to deliver the content that will ensure that our students meet the standards for your grade level.  Please do not teach solely from the Go Math series.  If you are struggling with teaching math and only teach math through the textbook, please seek out support from teammates or colleagues or me.  I would love to work with you to help make math come alive for our students. 
Next Week at a Glance:

• Boosterthon Pep Rally next Tuesday.  8:20 for Grades 3-5 and 9:05 for K - 2.
• PLCs are scheduled for Thursday at 2:15. 

Quote of the Week:

Thanks to Ann House for sharing this one!