HelmsMathEd @HelmsMathEd

After my last class, I sat in my classroom for about 10 minutes and stared at the work on the 7 whiteboards we used in class. For 80 straight minutes, my @RHS_Eagles worked on a single task: Solve the mobile. These #ThinkingKids crushed it today. Love my #ThinkingClassroom!

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Starting curriculum this week with my @RHS_Eagles. My goal is to transform my #ThinkingClassroom into a space where #ThinkingKids can push beyond simply "doing" the math. "I know I have learned it when: I can justify my answer, explain my thinking, and create new problems."

"Mr. Helms, you're going to make me like math again!" One of my Financial Math students told me this today. Not one of my ECHS Algebra II Honors kids... This was a normal, every day, I-have-to-take-this-class kind of kid. He's one of my #ThinkingKids in my #ThinkingClassroom

My @RHS_Eagles took on the Tax Collector today! A solid 50-60 of working on a single task. Afterwards we discussed what it looks like to take risks, make mistakes, and persevere. I even had students tell me they had fun... in MATH class! #ThinkingKids #ThinkingClassroom

So... Which One Doesn't Belong? Today, one of my @RHS_Eagles told me, "N. Because it is the only letter that, when reflected across the y-axis, doesn't stay the same shape." @GISDMath Such a good time working through these tasks with #ThinkingKids in a #ThinkingClassroom

Today, I had 2 @RHS_Eagles shatter all preconceived notions. 🤯 These "Bad Kids" absolutely CRUSHED our thinking tasks today! Every time I asked for input, they shined! Time and time again. Nothing stopped them. Precise. Profound. Proficient. #ThinkingKids #ThinkingClassroom

This was a blast! My @RHS_Eagles collaborated to make Venn Diagrams of favorite things and hobbies. 1 marker per group meant they had to communicate and be a bit vulnerable. I got to walk around the room and talk with groups and immediately make connections! Great first days!

Meet the @RHS_Eagles tonight! I explained how my math class would be different than anything they've experienced before. Kids and parents, BOTH, were excited! These kids know they haven't been thinking (or learning) in math class for years. So, I'm #BuildingThinkingClassrooms

My room is prepped and ready with all 30 desks in groups of 3 and 10 VNPS workstations across all 4 walls of my classroom. This year, I'm #BuildingThinkingClassrooms and challenging myself and my @RHS_Eagles students to go beyond the pale of traditional Mathematics. #GISDMath

This is my goal for my students this year. So excited to see this picture come across in "Building Thinking Classrooms."

So many amazing ideas and solutions in this book by @pgliljedahl! After hearing about Thinking Classrooms for the 3rd time at #CAMT2023 I just had to buy the book!

Today, I was trying to make sense of my classroom and organize what I could when I finally took a few moments to appreciate this amazing gift from my team lead and major supporter, Kristie Howard. I am excited to start my first year teaching at Rowlett HS! #WeROne #TheGISDEffect