Video Challenge Showing Your Kaneland Pride!

Don't forget to submit your team's video challenge showing your Kaneland Pride!  Email submissions to Sarah Mumm at 10358@kaneland.org and indicate the category for the submission.  The three award categories:  drama. comedy and action.  There are so many great learning opportunities in our schools, it is time to celebrate our pride!  Submit to do and be eligible for great prizes!

Multiplication Fact Fluency Tips

As part of the Teacher Initiatives Council discussion, I was asked to share some key tips to use with students on multiplication fact use.  Our goal is to have students understand the rationale and number sense behind any computation practice, but until the concepts developmentally "click" for them the tips can help them through.  Feel free to use these tips to assist students but always focus on the why computation works message in conjunction with the tips. 

Multiplication Basic Fact Strategies

Strategy for 0:  When multiplying by 0, use the zero property; any factor multiplied by 0 will have a product of 0.

Strategy for 1:  When multiplying by 1, use the identity property; any factor multiplied by 1 will have a product of that same number.

Strategy for 2:  When multiplying by 2, double the other factor.

Strategy for 3: When multiplying by 3, double the other factor and add a group.

Strategy for 4:  When multiplying by 4, double-double the factor.

Strategy for 5:  When multiplying by 5, skip count by 5 or multiply the other factor by 10 and halve the product

Strategy for 6:  When multiplying by 6, use the strategy for 3 and double the product or use the strategy for 5 and add a group.

Strategy for 7:  When multiplying by 7, use the other factor’s strategy or decompose the 7 to strategies you can use.

Strategy for 8:  When multiplying by 8, double-double-double the other factor.

Strategy for 9:  When multiplying by 9, multiply by 10 then subtract a group.

Strategy for 10:  When multiplying by 10, use place value understanding.

Strategy for 11:  When multiplying by 11, use the strategy for 10 and add a group.

Strategy for 12:  When multiplying by 12, decompose to 10 and 2 and use those strategies.

Teacher Initative Council Update

Today the Teacher Initiative Council met for their monthly meeting.  The following were topics discussed:

• The team discussed 4th and 5th taking on the color coding of the binders or folders to assist and connect to the Middle School.  It was decided to table for a year and continue to work on practicing transitions using 2 binders. All platoons (4th grade second semester and 5th grade all year) next year will have the students leave both binders in their homeroom and need to practice transition of taking the binder with them.   
• The team tabled the conversation of SEL and PHH structures for next year until April.  
• Discussions on the articulation need between 5th and 6th was reviewed.  There is a need to continue to hold the academic and SEL articulation sessions in November and then try to extend more conversations among the staff in Spring.  A possible need for staff to come and shadow each other for a half day will be further explored.  This process will be further discussed and proposed through the Ad Team meetings.  
• A discussion of math fact practice was held.  The Council at this point would recommend the RTI Math Coaches to work on providing the strategies and rules for fact acquisition.  This may be through routines for students or through further professional development.  
• Members will collect information for PodCast/ Screencast ideas to share with families for next fall.
• There were a total of 11 videos for United Streaming used thus far this year. TIC members voted based on feedback gathered from staff and decided to cancel the subscription for following school years. These funds will be reallocated to another resource, once research has been completed on a better option. Please feel free to use this resource for the remainder of the 2017-2018 school year.