Lisa Mellecker
@lkmellecker.bsky.social
Current: Teacher Educator at the University of Iowa.
Former: Middle School Math & Social Studies. Iowa & Vanderbilt Grad.
Always: Lover of public schools and those willing to fight for them.
Former: Middle School Math & Social Studies. Iowa & Vanderbilt Grad.
Always: Lover of public schools and those willing to fight for them.
Reposted by Lisa Mellecker
Want to help *all* students see themselves as competent and confident mathematical thinkers and doers? 🟰💫
Here’s one simple way to do it: Give them the answer key! @lpconnaughton.bsky.social explains how.
#MathSky #ITeachMath #ElementaryTeacher
Here’s one simple way to do it: Give them the answer key! @lpconnaughton.bsky.social explains how.
#MathSky #ITeachMath #ElementaryTeacher
Positioning Elementary Students as Experts in Math Class
Encouraging students to take on roles traditionally reserved for teachers creates a shared culture of teaching and learning in the classroom.
edut.to
August 9, 2025 at 1:25 AM
Want to help *all* students see themselves as competent and confident mathematical thinkers and doers? 🟰💫
Here’s one simple way to do it: Give them the answer key! @lpconnaughton.bsky.social explains how.
#MathSky #ITeachMath #ElementaryTeacher
Here’s one simple way to do it: Give them the answer key! @lpconnaughton.bsky.social explains how.
#MathSky #ITeachMath #ElementaryTeacher
Reposted by Lisa Mellecker
“We found no evidence that teaching financial education in schools, whether in maths or elsewhere, makes a meaningful difference to financial confidence in adulthood.“ This confirms my preconceptions - interesting research from Helen Drury
schoolsweek.co.uk/financial-li...
#MathsToday #UKEd
schoolsweek.co.uk/financial-li...
#MathsToday #UKEd
Research: Maths is not the place for financial literacy
Making maths teachers solely responsible for financial education would be a mistake for the curriculum review
schoolsweek.co.uk
August 9, 2025 at 3:36 PM
“We found no evidence that teaching financial education in schools, whether in maths or elsewhere, makes a meaningful difference to financial confidence in adulthood.“ This confirms my preconceptions - interesting research from Helen Drury
schoolsweek.co.uk/financial-li...
#MathsToday #UKEd
schoolsweek.co.uk/financial-li...
#MathsToday #UKEd
Reposted by Lisa Mellecker
“How do we support middle & high school students who are gaining access to previously blocked pathways towards higher education, yet might need extra supports, to find academic success in Algebra 1?”
Educator Megan Mary Conklin explains what those supports can look like. 🤲✖️
#MathSky #ITeachMath
Educator Megan Mary Conklin explains what those supports can look like. 🤲✖️
#MathSky #ITeachMath
Research-Based Supports for Algebra Students
Offering effective instructional supports to secondary students in algebra helps build learners’ confidence and math identity.
edut.to
August 2, 2025 at 1:37 AM
“How do we support middle & high school students who are gaining access to previously blocked pathways towards higher education, yet might need extra supports, to find academic success in Algebra 1?”
Educator Megan Mary Conklin explains what those supports can look like. 🤲✖️
#MathSky #ITeachMath
Educator Megan Mary Conklin explains what those supports can look like. 🤲✖️
#MathSky #ITeachMath
Reposted by Lisa Mellecker
Exploring ways to integrate math warm-up routines into middle and high school classes.
How many ways can you make...?
#iteachmath #iteach #mathsky #edusky
How many ways can you make...?
#iteachmath #iteach #mathsky #edusky
July 20, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Exploring ways to integrate math warm-up routines into middle and high school classes.
How many ways can you make...?
#iteachmath #iteach #mathsky #edusky
How many ways can you make...?
#iteachmath #iteach #mathsky #edusky
Reposted by Lisa Mellecker
I know teachers don't want fluff. And a lot of ice breakers suck. AND. Actual leaders know that community doesn't happen accidentally. If you never facilitate folks talking and working together, they won't magically do it on their own, especially not in our current system, which isolates teachers
July 21, 2025 at 1:54 PM
I know teachers don't want fluff. And a lot of ice breakers suck. AND. Actual leaders know that community doesn't happen accidentally. If you never facilitate folks talking and working together, they won't magically do it on their own, especially not in our current system, which isolates teachers
Reposted by Lisa Mellecker
May 23, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Reposted by Lisa Mellecker
A slight change of wording is a quick win to ask more engaging questions.
May 17, 2025 at 7:45 AM
A slight change of wording is a quick win to ask more engaging questions.
Reposted by Lisa Mellecker
Great job everyone
May 2, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Great job everyone
Reposted by Lisa Mellecker
Three is a charm. You are always welcome to join in our CMC Book Study #cmcmath 💙 t.co/AYH6fWApA8
May 12, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Three is a charm. You are always welcome to join in our CMC Book Study #cmcmath 💙 t.co/AYH6fWApA8
Reposted by Lisa Mellecker
I spoke with @johngreensbluesky.bsky.social about his newest book "Everything Is Tuberculosis." It's an important and terrifyingly-relevant story about one of the deadliest diseases in human history—and the decisions we make to keep it alive.
slate.com/technology/2...
slate.com/technology/2...
What’s Happening With Tuberculosis Is a Terrible Tragedy. The Person Who Can Make Sense of It Isn’t Who You’d Expect.
John Green’s latest book might seem like a departure—at first.
slate.com
March 26, 2025 at 1:26 PM
I spoke with @johngreensbluesky.bsky.social about his newest book "Everything Is Tuberculosis." It's an important and terrifyingly-relevant story about one of the deadliest diseases in human history—and the decisions we make to keep it alive.
slate.com/technology/2...
slate.com/technology/2...
Asking employees to summarize what they did this week in 5 bullet points gives big "turn in daily lesson plans and make sure you have objectives visible" energy.
If your boss/admin needs it that spelled out for them, they don't have any right to be in a leadership position.
If your boss/admin needs it that spelled out for them, they don't have any right to be in a leadership position.
February 23, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Asking employees to summarize what they did this week in 5 bullet points gives big "turn in daily lesson plans and make sure you have objectives visible" energy.
If your boss/admin needs it that spelled out for them, they don't have any right to be in a leadership position.
If your boss/admin needs it that spelled out for them, they don't have any right to be in a leadership position.
Why would we want to evaluate students based on how well they master the state content standards when I could be giving out points for whatever I decide is important with no consistency across classrooms or schools? What Republican do I talk to about requiring extra credit if you bring in Kleenex?
This is it. This is the entire bill.
February 11, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Why would we want to evaluate students based on how well they master the state content standards when I could be giving out points for whatever I decide is important with no consistency across classrooms or schools? What Republican do I talk to about requiring extra credit if you bring in Kleenex?
This administration 1) wants people to have more babies 2) is actively closing affordable daycare options. If both parents are working, who do they expect to watch these ki... Oh wait.
Programs in Michigan and Wisconsin have already shut down, leaving families scrambling for childcare. This is what happens when extremists put politics over kids. https://apnews.com/article/head-start-blackouts-trump-6e7655e56c0b451092411e7fdd1def2e
Still locked out of federal funding, several Head Start preschools may need to close temporarily
Leaders of dozens of Head Start preschools said they might need to close temporarily because they remain locked out of their federal funding, a problem that first surfaced last week during President…
apnews.com
February 8, 2025 at 5:48 PM
This administration 1) wants people to have more babies 2) is actively closing affordable daycare options. If both parents are working, who do they expect to watch these ki... Oh wait.
A souvenir my husband brought back from Germany last summer that's been on our fridge ever since.
Translation: "no room for Nazis and racists"
Translation: "no room for Nazis and racists"
January 21, 2025 at 4:46 AM
A souvenir my husband brought back from Germany last summer that's been on our fridge ever since.
Translation: "no room for Nazis and racists"
Translation: "no room for Nazis and racists"
HELP. I have been running my elementary math methods class with the grading policy:
- All assignments are complete/incomplete w the expectation that inc are resubmitted until comp. Either way, everything receives feedback.
- Final grade is determined by student and discussed in 1-on-1 convo w me.
- All assignments are complete/incomplete w the expectation that inc are resubmitted until comp. Either way, everything receives feedback.
- Final grade is determined by student and discussed in 1-on-1 convo w me.
January 20, 2025 at 8:24 PM
HELP. I have been running my elementary math methods class with the grading policy:
- All assignments are complete/incomplete w the expectation that inc are resubmitted until comp. Either way, everything receives feedback.
- Final grade is determined by student and discussed in 1-on-1 convo w me.
- All assignments are complete/incomplete w the expectation that inc are resubmitted until comp. Either way, everything receives feedback.
- Final grade is determined by student and discussed in 1-on-1 convo w me.
Reposted by Lisa Mellecker
Through the good graces of school.ai this morning, I had a chat with Anne Frank.
I had a helluva time trying to get her to say a bad word about Nazis.
Here's our conversation in this thread.
#history #skystorians #historysky #holocaust
I had a helluva time trying to get her to say a bad word about Nazis.
Here's our conversation in this thread.
#history #skystorians #historysky #holocaust
January 19, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Through the good graces of school.ai this morning, I had a chat with Anne Frank.
I had a helluva time trying to get her to say a bad word about Nazis.
Here's our conversation in this thread.
#history #skystorians #historysky #holocaust
I had a helluva time trying to get her to say a bad word about Nazis.
Here's our conversation in this thread.
#history #skystorians #historysky #holocaust
Reposted by Lisa Mellecker
If the voucher lobby guys really believe parents are happier with their school voucher, why are they against showing parents a side-by-side comparison of public vs. voucher academic results?
Voucher transparency is a parents’ rights issue and a consumer fraud problem.
Voucher transparency is a parents’ rights issue and a consumer fraud problem.
January 19, 2025 at 10:30 PM
If the voucher lobby guys really believe parents are happier with their school voucher, why are they against showing parents a side-by-side comparison of public vs. voucher academic results?
Voucher transparency is a parents’ rights issue and a consumer fraud problem.
Voucher transparency is a parents’ rights issue and a consumer fraud problem.
Reposted by Lisa Mellecker
As an educator, it’s increasingly difficult to name a professional conviction or pedagogical commitment that justifies the use of generative AI. The daily use of AI must not overshadow tangible actions to redress our climate crisis lest we further erode our position as trusted stewards of learning.
Once again asking what problem this technology has solved or is expected to solve to force us to endure this. www.fastcompany.com/91253026/air...
Air pollution from AI could surpass that of all the cars in California
Massive data centers power large language models but produce fine particles linked to asthma, cancers, and premature deaths.
www.fastcompany.com
January 11, 2025 at 11:26 PM
As an educator, it’s increasingly difficult to name a professional conviction or pedagogical commitment that justifies the use of generative AI. The daily use of AI must not overshadow tangible actions to redress our climate crisis lest we further erode our position as trusted stewards of learning.
This is what responsible governing looks like, not creating new laws to limit the oversight of the state auditor. #iowa
Minnesotans rightly have no tolerance for misuse of taxpayer dollars.
I just signed an executive order creating a centralized state fraud investigations unit and rolled out a plan to create better detection, tighter controls, and tougher criminal penalties against fraud.
I just signed an executive order creating a centralized state fraud investigations unit and rolled out a plan to create better detection, tighter controls, and tougher criminal penalties against fraud.
January 5, 2025 at 6:22 PM
This is what responsible governing looks like, not creating new laws to limit the oversight of the state auditor. #iowa
Currently in the middle of this book, and I promise the use of "must-read" here is not hyperbolic. Looking forward to this opportunity to discuss!
NCSM will be sponsoring a two-part virtual book study with @mathematize4all.bsky.social to discuss her must-read Rethinking Disability and Mathematics. Registration is free and open to all.
January 13 registration: bit.ly/NCSMBookStudy-Jan
February 10 registration: bit.ly/NCSMBookStudy-Feb
January 13 registration: bit.ly/NCSMBookStudy-Jan
February 10 registration: bit.ly/NCSMBookStudy-Feb
January 4, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Currently in the middle of this book, and I promise the use of "must-read" here is not hyperbolic. Looking forward to this opportunity to discuss!
Reposted by Lisa Mellecker
27 homework tasks to help make maths part of everyday life. :) #iteachmath
www.backtofrontmaths.com.au/homework-tas...
www.backtofrontmaths.com.au/homework-tas...
January 3, 2025 at 10:34 PM
27 homework tasks to help make maths part of everyday life. :) #iteachmath
www.backtofrontmaths.com.au/homework-tas...
www.backtofrontmaths.com.au/homework-tas...
Reposted by Lisa Mellecker
"It baffles me that this consensus has been reached in dog training, yet in most schools, we still use punishments with children to drive learning..."
Montessori Dog Training: Or, why we are more progressive with our dogs than our children
marigoldmontessori.substack.com/p/montessori...
Montessori Dog Training: Or, why we are more progressive with our dogs than our children
marigoldmontessori.substack.com/p/montessori...
![The article identifies some keys to why this paradigm shift has happened and what we can learn to help enact revolutions elsewhere:
Behavioural science backs it: “Dogs from the positive schools universally performed better at tasks the researchers put in front of them, and the dogs from aversive schools displayed considerably more stress, both in observable ways—licking, yawning, pacing, whining—and in cortisol levels measured in saliva swabs.”
It is more effective and expedient: "Over the past 15 years, handlers with Guide Dogs for the Blind ... have extinguished nearly all negative training techniques and with dramatic results. A new dog can now be ready to guide its owner in half the time it once took, and they can remain with an owner for an extra year or two."
Old myths have been discredited: “The origin of so-called “alpha theory” [upon which the old, dominating, Cesar Millan–style methods were based] comes from a scientist named Rudolph Schenkel, who conducted a study of wolves in 1947 in which animals from different packs were forced into a small enclosure with no prior interaction. They fought, naturally, which Schenkel wrongly interpreted as a battle for dominance. The reality, Schenkel was later forced to admit, was that the wolves were stressed, not striving for alpha status.”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:y4dkrhqph7kakgqa2ersnkif/bafkreieehhsr6smqeg3rcljbqg3x4o4zmnqpndlv4lpgdq7cwt6bqvlinm@jpeg)
January 2, 2025 at 3:37 PM
"It baffles me that this consensus has been reached in dog training, yet in most schools, we still use punishments with children to drive learning..."
Montessori Dog Training: Or, why we are more progressive with our dogs than our children
marigoldmontessori.substack.com/p/montessori...
Montessori Dog Training: Or, why we are more progressive with our dogs than our children
marigoldmontessori.substack.com/p/montessori...
Reposted by Lisa Mellecker
New #SlowRevealGraph
Number of People Per Representative in the US (1789-2017)
How many people does each US representative represent? How does this compare to other OECD nations?
Number of People Per Representative in the US (1789-2017)
How many people does each US representative represent? How does this compare to other OECD nations?
Number of People Per Representative in the US (1789-2017)
Number of People Per Representative in the US (since nation's founding)graph by Drew DeSilver/Pew Research, slow reveal by Aristotle Ou (Slide deck includes notes and questions to elicit discourse) Type of Graph: line graph Visualization Source: DeSilver, "U.S. population keeps growing, but House of Representatives is same size as in Taft era." Pew Research Center: May 31, 2018.
slowrevealgraphs.com
December 18, 2024 at 9:37 PM
New #SlowRevealGraph
Number of People Per Representative in the US (1789-2017)
How many people does each US representative represent? How does this compare to other OECD nations?
Number of People Per Representative in the US (1789-2017)
How many people does each US representative represent? How does this compare to other OECD nations?
Reposted by Lisa Mellecker
"Everybody talks" is not a healthy standard for teachers to hold ourselves to. (Or admins to hold us to.)
Healthy, realistic goals for class discussions matter.
ascd.org/el/articles/...
Healthy, realistic goals for class discussions matter.
ascd.org/el/articles/...
Busting the Myth of Equitable Class Discussions
Let’s be real—not every student is going to talk, and maybe that’s OK.
ascd.org
December 15, 2024 at 4:22 PM
"Everybody talks" is not a healthy standard for teachers to hold ourselves to. (Or admins to hold us to.)
Healthy, realistic goals for class discussions matter.
ascd.org/el/articles/...
Healthy, realistic goals for class discussions matter.
ascd.org/el/articles/...