Jenna Laib // Blog

@jennalaib

Embrace the Challenge

I am a math specialist near Boston, MA. Find me on twitter @JennaLaib. For the last few years, this blog has served as a way for me to process and reflect on my work. Scroll down to check out my latest posts, or use the menu to browse by category.…Continue reading “Embrace the Challenge”

“I see the same hands”: Dealing with Discretionary Spaces

12 Feb 201912 Feb 2019

The teacher frowned as she looked out at her 25 students, only 3 of which had their hands raised -- the same three students who always had their hands raised."I see…

What does it mean to be “struggling” in math class? (Eduardo’s Story)

5 Feb 20195 Feb 2019

It was a sea of dots. Eduardo's work for 47 + 27 Over and over again, for both computational and story problems, third grade student Eduardo drew dots. Eduardo's work,…

“Why is the math teacher here for social studies?”

16 Jan 20196 Feb 2022

I slipped quietly into Room 304, trying not to distract the fourth graders, who were finishing up a writing assignment. I set up my laptop to project to the white…

in the classroom

Talking about Geometry in Kindergarten, Part 2: The Shape Hunt

5 Jan 20196 Feb 2022

Talking helps us make sense of ideas. Talking helps us synthesize our ideas. Talking helps us communicate our ideas. We want to get this kindergarten class talking -- a lot…

in the classroom

Talking about Geometry in Kindergarten, Part 1: Same or Different

4 Jan 20196 Feb 2022

Talking helps us make sense of ideas. Talking helps us synthesize our ideas. Talking helps us communicate our ideas. We want to get this kindergarten class talking -- a…

#TeamBlankSpace

Every time a child says, 'I don't believe in fairies,' there is a fairy somewhere that falls down dead.J. M. Barrie, Peter Pan (1904) When a work page is overly rigid…

The Museum of Rarely Used Math Manipulatives: What Do We Need?

20 Dec 20185 Feb 2022

Today in Kindergarten, we used Attribute Links to play Name My Rule. We sorted shapes based on properties (number of sides, number of 'points,' size, color, etc.). Attribute links are…

in the classroom

No More Mathematical Matchmaking: The Return of the Inaba Place Value Puzzles

26 Nov 201827 Nov 2018

When I first started teaching, I believed in being a mathematical matchmaker. I thought that differentiation meant giving students different tiered assignments -- it seemed much better than pushing every…

Presuming Competence: Using Clinical Interviews to Support Classroom Instruction

13 Nov 201827 Nov 2018

"She's not on an IEP, but she's struggling in class. What should I do?" I don't know the student -- Alejandra, or Ali, for short -- very well, so I arranged…

Strategy 3: Use High-Leverage Instructional Routines (Fessenden/Laib NCTM Session)

8 Nov 20185 Feb 2022

In early October, I presented at NCTM Hartford with the incomparable Heidi Fessenden (@heidifessenden / blog). Our session was called "Strategies for Cultivating Mathematical Thinking for All Learners." Slides available…

Strategy 2: Assign Competence (Fessenden/Laib NCTM Session)

7 Nov 20185 Feb 2022

In early October, I presented at NCTM Hartford with the incomparable Heidi Fessenden (@heidifessenden / blog). Our session was called "Strategies for Cultivating Mathematical Thinking for All Learners." Slides…

Strategy 1: Reword the SMPs in Student-Friendly Language (Fessenden/Laib NCTM Session)

6 Nov 20185 Feb 2022

In early October, I presented at NCTM Hartford with the incomparable Heidi Fessenden (@heidifessenden / blog). Our session was called "Strategies for Cultivating Mathematical Thinking for All Learners." Slides available…

NCTM Hartford 2018: Strategies for Cultivating Mathematical Thinking for All Learners (Fessenden & Laib)

5 Nov 20185 Feb 2022

In early October, I presented at NCTM Hartford with the incomparable Heidi Fessenden (@heidifessenden / blog). Our session was called "Strategies for Cultivating Mathematical Thinking for All Learners." Slides available…

Keeping a Straight Face

9 Aug 201810 Aug 2018

This is my contribution to the Convention of Mathematical Flavors organized by @samjshah2. He put a call out for presenters to ponder the "mathematical flavor" of their classrooms How does your class move…

Cultivating a Listener’s Mindset — with ELs

10 Jun 20186 Feb 2022

In a post last January, I wrote about how the "mental load" teachers carry can impact their ability to listen to their students. ...but listening is critical. It's especially critical when…

We Need to Talk About Crazy Barb, or Throwing Skittles at a Problem

28 May 201824 Jul 2020

A NOTE: While I changed her name and a few minor identifying details, this is essentially a true account. I know it sounds strange -- because it was. This is not…

Doris

23 Jan 20188 Sep 2020

A student from my first ever fourth grade class -- now in his 20s -- contacted me on Facebook today. He was glad that I remembered him. "u and mrs…

Cultivating a Listener’s Mindset: A Case for Curriculum

In the last few weeks, I have seen articles about "mental load" circulating around social media again. The "mental load" refers to the invisible but burdensome job of orchestrating of all the…

The New Kid

16 Oct 201712 Feb 2022

In a nutshell: my district offers a fellowship grant each year for six teachers to spend a (paid) week writing about teaching over the summer. I am never fully certain…

Anchoring Online Portfolios

10 Oct 201710 Oct 2017

When I was an elementary classroom teacher, my students built elaborate portfolios to document their thinking and progress. As a specialist, I carry components of this into my practice --…