Math Doesn't Suck: How to survive middle school math without losing your mind or breaking a nail

by Danica McKellar

I'll admit that the title of this book is both catchy and a bit shocking. I guess I'll also have to admit that is what got my attention years ago when I purchased this book. Today, while I was rearranging books in one of my four bookcases (yes, I adore being surrounded by books), I came across this title and took some time to glance through it again. I quickly remembered how much I enjoyed this book.

If the author on the cover looks familiar, then you probably grew up watching the television series The Wonder Years as Danica played the character of Winnie in the show. What would this actress be able to teach us or our kids about math? As the book jacket states, "[Danica McKellar] is a summa cum laude graduate of UCLA with a degree in Mathematics. She has been honored in Britain's esteemed Journal of Physics and The New York Times for her work in mathematics, most notably for her role as coauthor of a groundbreaking mathematical physics theorem, which bears her name (The Chayes-McKellar-Winn Theorem)". Her credentials are impressive, and the book is a New York Times best seller. It is very well written, especially as it is geared toward middle school aged girls. 

The math concepts that are explained in the book include factors and multiples, fractions, decimals, percents, word problems, and pre-algebra. Each is broken down in a very kid-friendly manner with great real world examples to use as practice. This book also offers a "Trouble Shooting Guide" with topics such as "Where to Turn When You Don't Know What to Do" and "The Smart Girl's Resource Guide". 

The layout of the book also offers advice on pre-teen and up topics such as "Role Models" and "Testimonials" which are written by girls about how they used to feel about math and what they've accomplished. Quizzes are also include, but not the traditional type of quiz you may expect in a math book. For example, quiz number one asks "Are you a Mathophobe?" which is from expert psychologist RobynLandow, PhD, and is designed to help girls realize their inner feelings about math. The book is not meant to be a read from the beginning type of book. However, it really is a fun read, and I think it very well could be a help to any girl (I'd even say any pre-teen) to see math in a whole different light. 

   

**There is also a follow up book that I also own, Kiss my Math: Showing pre-algebra who's boss which I will review soon. 

Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street 

by Roni Schotter and illustrated by Kyrsten Brooker

One can never really predict where or when they will come across a great mentor text. This summer I have been participating in Jennifer Serravallo's Summer Writing Camp. The first week was built around fiction writing and developing story elements. While several great strategies were shared from Jennifer's The Writing Strategies Book: Your Everything Guide to Developing Skilled Writers,  Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street by Roni Schotter was shared as a mentor text. 

The story opens with the main character, a little girl named Eva, helplessly wondering how she would complete a writing assignment from school. Mrs. DeMarco, Eva's teacher, asked her to, "Write about what you know". As she sits on her front stairs listening to the usual sounds that are going on around her, Eva writes, "Nothing ever happens on 90th Street". 

As characters begin to enter the story, the reader soon realizes a lot happens on 90th street. Each character, from Mr. Chang, the owner of the newly opened "Seafood Emporium," Mr. Sim's an actor who and his cat "Olivier", Mr. Morley, the mousse maker, Alexis Leora, a dancer, Mrs. Martinez, a wonderful soup maker, Mrs. Friedman and baby Joshua, the pizza delivery man, to Sondra Saunderson, star of stage, screen, and soap opera, all add details to an ordinary day that become extraordinary. At the end of the story, the character of Mrs. Martinez says, "What an amazing day! Who would believe it? If only someone had written it all down!" Eva reveals that she has and shares her story with her neighbors. Of course, everyone praises Eva for her story, and in the end she claims that the story will be even better after she rewrites it. 

This book truly is a mentor text for writing as it will show students that even something that seems so familiar and ordinary to them can offer a world of ideas for a writing piece. The details that are provided, the adjectives, the dialogue, and the wonderful illustrations all help to create a story that will engage and invite students to return for another read. The end of the book is probably my favorite as Eva gives the idea of  revising her story to make it even better! 

As a teacher, using this text along with Jennifer Serravallos writing strategies such as asking yourself  "What if..." thinking about characters, setting, or a problem will help to spark ideas. Brainstorming ideas like sentence stems will give the students options and one or two may branch off into full blown fictional pieces. 

I would highly recommend Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street  by Roni Schotter as a mentor text for teachable moments and inspiration for student writing. 

Qualities of Effective Teachers

Qualities of Effective Teachers 

2nd Edition

by James H. Stronge

As summer had arrived it was time to think about tackling the bucket list I had created for summer reading. Being a life long learner and avid reader of many genres in my personal reading, as well as the various texts in my professional reading, I noticed I had books in my personal library that were "must haves" in the moment that I never had the time to read. I came across James H. Stronge's book Qualities of Effective Teachers. While I consider myself to be an effective teacher, there is always that wonder of what others deem to be a "effective". I began to flip through the pages and came across a quote that captured my attention, "Implementing instruction is like opening night at the theater, where all the behind-the-scenes work is hidden and only the magic is seen by the audience." Wow! This quote seemed to resonate with me as it grabbed me with its poetic delivery. I put my reading list aside, sat on the floor next to my bookcase and began to read.

Its funny how when I read a professional text such as this my mind tends to place people I've taught with within the different scenarios given. So what does makes an effective teacher effective? The book opens with discussing teachers as individuals and as professionals and then proceeds to focus on aspects of the role of a teacher including practices and responsibilities. I was a bit intrigued when I read the section on "Educational Coursework and Effective Teaching". It made me think about the current state of education, with all of the hoops educators must jump through and mandates which seem to be impacting how many teaching candidates there are in the colleges today. Stronge wrote, "Studies support the finding that fully prepared teachers understand how students learn and what and how they need to be taught." While I do believe a solid teacher preparation background is necessary, I also believe it is not until you have experienced the daily happenings in a classroom that a teacher begins to learn what is needed to be fully prepared. I've had colleagues who came with glowing credentials from coursework, but had little to no idea of how to deal with the behavioral or emotional characteristics of the students in their classroom. Later in the chapter, teaching experience and teacher effectiveness are discussed where it is stated that, "Experienced teachers differ from rookie teachers in that they have attained expertise through real-life experiences, classroom practices, and time."

The book is research based and is broken into two parts. Part 1, "What it means to be an effective teacher" discusses topics such as prerequisites for effective teaching, teachers as individuals and professionals, and breaks into effective planning, organization, implement instruction, and monitoring instruction in regard to student progress and potential. Part 2, "Teacher Effectiveness: Resources you can use" is broken into three sections respectively, "Teacher Skills Assessment Checklists", "Teacher Responsibilities and Teacher Behaviors", and an "Annotated Bibliography".

What I really liked about this book was how it provided insight into the importance of a teacher's attitude toward teaching, as well as the importance of incorporating reflection into a teaching practice. Thought provoking resources are found in Part 2, Section I "Teacher Skills Assessment Checklists". Included are checklists for "The Teacher as a Person", "Classroom Management and Organization", "Planning and Organizing for Instruction", "Implementing Instruction", and "Monitoring Student Progress and Potential". In Section II, "Teacher Responsibilities and Teacher Behaviors", Stronge lists "Positive Qualities" and "Red Flags of ineffective Teaching" under various categories such as "Classroom Management and Organization" and "Planning and Organizing for Instruction". I found the checklists to be useful in reflecting upon my own practice.

Overall I would highly recommend reading this title. However, I read the 2nd edition, and there is now a 3rd edition available that offers updated resources (link to the book provided).

https://www.amazon.com/Qualities-Effective-Teachers-James-Stronge/dp/1416625860