We start on the first day of school with building a math culture where it is okay to make mistakes, it is necessary to persevere when things get challenging, and with an understanding that we can learn so much from each other! To help us explore math concepts, we have been playing a TON of games together. These games build our number sense and also strengthen our ability to work with a partner/small group. For the last few weeks, we have spent time in stations learning these games and skills that we will need when we move into our true "math workshop" time in October.
Playing ST math (JiJi)
ST math is Spacial-Temporal (ST) Math account where students are not provided any verbal language to help them solve a problem. Their goal is to move JiJi (the penguin) across the screen, but there are many obstacles/challenges in his way. Students work through each problem by looking at the screen, thinking about what JiJi needs to do to get across, trying out a strategy, and trying out new strategies until they are successful. I really like this program because it teaching students perseverance and enhances their problem solving skills. The introduction to ST math includes a password training, requiring each student to learn his or her individual 8 picture password. The students did an amazing job learning their password and are continuing to practice it daily. After successfully "playing" on the program for a little while, ST Math will add 5 additional pictures to your student's password. Once they have this 13 picture password, they can use ST Math at home. See the link below for more information about how your child can access his or her ST Math account at home. Teachers are facilitating students understanding of the learning while they are using the program in class. Please limit your students time on ST math at home to 20minutes per week to allow for as much in class guided practice as possible. Setting up ST math at home
| Kindergarten standards for ST Math
Want to try Ji Ji math for yourself? |