Annie Fetter
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mfannie.bsky.social
Annie Fetter
@mfannie.bsky.social
math, music, field hockey, ice hockey, nature, and more
A8: More students' ideas would be taken up. I think folks are getting better at ELICITING students' ideas, and not quite as good at then LEVERAGING those ideas (because it's hard!). #ElemMathChat
February 13, 2026 at 2:54 AM
A7: So important! Even asking for answers instead of ideas, especially when you know some of your kids don't know the answer (yet), tells kids they don't get to participate right now. Sticking to ideas invites more kids to keep participating. (And answers are just one sort of ideas.) #ElemMathChat
February 13, 2026 at 2:49 AM
A6: Quietly rejoice! Debate how much time I can commit to their (possibly mathematically awesome) thinking. I don't have my own classroom, and it's for sure an art to decide what you can commit to their and whether it will pay off in the long run. #ElemMathChat
February 13, 2026 at 2:43 AM
A5: Focusing on ideas and decisions (and reasoning behind those decisions) increases cognitive demand, and gets more ideas out there - others might recognize their thinking in the words of others, or get some ideas about different ways to think about a situation. #ElemMathChat
February 13, 2026 at 2:35 AM
A4: Lots of focusing on their ideas, rather than their answers. Asking others if they think they used reasoning that was similar to the person who just talked. Giving them jobs so that they are active listeners when others are sharing. #ElemMathChat
February 13, 2026 at 2:28 AM
A3: Oh, gosh, I feel like I did that already - I'm consistent, anyway! "How did you decide what to do first?" or "Tell me more about [that part]". Really focusing on them and their thinking, and asking questions I don't know the answer to. #ElemMathChat
February 13, 2026 at 2:20 AM
Hi #ElemMathChat! A1: I'd say, "ooh! tell me more!", but I say that almost all the time. Could say, "How did you decide what to do first?"
February 13, 2026 at 2:14 AM
A4: They're sort of like routines - help students understand them well enough so that they know when else they might help. Like a number line - kids find LOTS of uses for them once they understand them. #ElemMathChat
February 6, 2026 at 2:28 AM
A3: So powerful for kids to become facile with all these and know when/how they might be powerful. It's a version of SMP 5, "Use appropriate tools strategically". #ElemMathChat
February 6, 2026 at 2:21 AM
A2: I remember working with a middle schooler with area models and binomial multiplication...it ALL made sense to her once she understood how those two things are related. #ElemMathChat
February 6, 2026 at 2:19 AM
Hey #ElemMathChat. Annie joining from suburban Philly, mostly a consultant/presenter these days. This fall I had a great time supporting a student teacher who was using and learning about BTC, and he and I especially dug into lesson closure.
February 6, 2026 at 2:05 AM
Hi #ElemMathChat! Annie from suburban Philly, where we share the same snow situation as @sueoconnell.bsky.social. I can't hang much tonight because I have to meet a delayed flight at the airport, but look forward to following the convo.
January 30, 2026 at 2:04 AM
Awesome conversation on this #DebateMath episode. And gold star ⭐ to @calarmstrong.bsky.social for calling out #TheMathForum as a pivotal element in his math teacher evolution!
SEASON 5 HAS STARTED!
Check out our latest episode:

Is AI Helpful in Math Education?

Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/d...

Or listen on Spotify:
open.spotify.com/show/3soGg9I...

Or check us out wherever you listen to podcasts!
#DebateMath
January 24, 2026 at 4:39 AM
Ultra excited to a) reboot the Math Routine Collaborative, and b) partner with @cfless.bsky.social to create an accompanying podcast. Check it out! #ITeachMath
Didn't get a chance to join us for the kickoff of the Math Routine Collaborative? No worries!

SUPER excited to share that we have partnered with @keepinlearning.bsky.social and @cfless.bsky.social to create the MRC Podcast, and the trailer is out now on Spotify!

open.spotify.com/show/1Bi3j6D...
January 24, 2026 at 4:32 AM
A6: I guess I need to revisit mancala and get that back in my head! #ElemMathChat
January 23, 2026 at 2:59 AM
A2: I've used the card games in Everything Math. Also Ken Ken. But learned early you have to monitor it carefully, or kids can just fill in all the squares with numbers and claim they're done! #ElemMathChat
January 23, 2026 at 2:25 AM
A1: Absolutely! But it won't happen magically. Takes some work/set-up. Some nice possibilities for building fact fluency with card games that give lots of practice, but not if it's not conscious. "How do you know?" "How did you get that?" etc. #ElemMathChat
January 23, 2026 at 2:14 AM
I'm Annie, joining from suburban Philly tonight. I'm a consultant these days. I played a lot of card games as a kid - solitaire (introvert, duh), plus gin rummy with my mom. Or we'd sit and play solitaire at the same time! #ElemMathChat
January 23, 2026 at 2:07 AM
Does anyone know what textbook this comes from? Once upon a time, I had e-access to a district's curriculum to prep for a workshop and grabbed this example to use. But, stupidly, failed to note the actual source. Thoughts?
January 21, 2026 at 6:32 PM
Let’s hang out and #NoticeWonder together today, friends!
HI HI THIS IS TODAY

If you're not busy at 4:00 ET, you should come hang out and do math with us!

Register here: strongermath.com/mrc
Hi hi I have really exciting news

The Math Routine Collaborative starts back up THIS SUNDAY! Join us as the one and only @mfannie.bsky.social leads the routine Notice and Wonder

You can register at strongermath.com/MRC to participate in math routines and unpack how to lead them in your classroom.
January 18, 2026 at 6:21 PM
A7: Also observed a K lesson where they were doing Venn diagrams about animals that could swim or walk on land or both. Admins with me said it was too hard for K. I pointed out 1) that it was in the textbook, and 2) they were getting it right and having great discussions. #ElemMathChat
January 16, 2026 at 3:01 AM
A7: I did a measures of center NW with Gr7 kids, and the teacher was AMAZED at all the things they said. I mean, like jaw on the floor amazed. They were brilliant. #ElemMathChat
January 16, 2026 at 2:59 AM
That wondering about how cars are made is either a 5 year old who, when asked, "What do you wonder?", literally is wondering that, or a 14 year old who is messing with you. #ElemMathChat
January 16, 2026 at 2:43 AM
A5: I notice there's a big focus on "add a square" going on in this one. #ElemMathChat
January 16, 2026 at 2:36 AM
A1: I notice the number of squares is the same as the number of days. I wonder if it goes on forever? #ElemMathChat
January 16, 2026 at 2:13 AM