education… Inputs and Outputs 20 Oct 2025 I recently returned from NCTM in Atlanta. It was a beautiful week of learning and connection (and late night karaoke -- priorities). "Let's See What You're Saying." On Friday, I…
in the classroom “It Has All the Numbers on the Clock”: Context and Connections 2 Oct 2023 I'm fascinated by how student ideas are shaped by context: what are the big ideas in our current unit? How did we launch the activity? We make connections -- constantly!…
in the classroom “It’s as fat as it is tall”: Language and Concept Development with Quick Images 7 Mar 2023 Some days, things just go sideways. It's the reality of teaching. I watched as Grade 1 teacher Rachel led her students into the classroom fifteen minutes later than usual. Rachel…
education… Back to School PD: Sharing Participant Thinking 12 Sep 202011 Sep 2020 Last week, I facilitated a few PD sessions for elementary teachers in my district. There were some predictable -- and wildly unpredictable! -- tech hiccups. I stumbled over some words.…
curriculum… Using Instructional Routines to Inspire Deep Thinking 21 Oct 20195 Feb 2022 Originally published on the Illustrative Mathematics blog (October 13, 2019). We want students to think about math deeply. Creatively. Analytically. Instead, what often happens is that students race towards quick solutions. So…
curriculum… “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…
workshop 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…
in the classroom Coherence, Round 2: The Power of Connecting Instructional Routines 20 Sep 201720 Sep 2017 For a million reasons, I love, love instructional routines*. They engage students, active thinking and discourse, and, with the structures in place, students are given the freedom to focus on…
Jenna Laib 