Marilyn Burns
@mburnsmath.bsky.social
I began as a high school math teacher, moved to middle school, and then to elementary school to learn about how young children make sense of math. I love thinking about how to uncover math for kids. I blog about lessons I teach at www.marilynburnsmath.com.
I'm excited to present a free webinar on September 30. Register here: heinemann.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
September 23, 2025 at 10:07 PM
I'm excited to present a free webinar on September 30. Register here: heinemann.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
A screen shot from a new sitcom, The Paper. I wrote Math for Smarty Pants in 1982! How did it get here?
September 10, 2025 at 12:55 PM
A screen shot from a new sitcom, The Paper. I wrote Math for Smarty Pants in 1982! How did it get here?
I picked bush beans this morning from our garden. No, I didn't count, but I confess that I was tempted. Will they serve 4 at dinner tonight?
August 25, 2025 at 3:45 PM
I picked bush beans this morning from our garden. No, I didn't count, but I confess that I was tempted. Will they serve 4 at dinner tonight?
Why am I confused by this sign?
August 11, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Why am I confused by this sign?
Not for everyone, I know, but I found this to be a really good read.
March 1, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Not for everyone, I know, but I found this to be a really good read.
I asked a student today which of these fractions was not equal to 1/2. He said, "It has to be one of those with a 3 on top--they can't both be 1/2" I'd never heard that before.
February 28, 2025 at 7:22 PM
I asked a student today which of these fractions was not equal to 1/2. He said, "It has to be one of those with a 3 on top--they can't both be 1/2" I'd never heard that before.
I hesitated before sending it, but I couldn't resist.
February 23, 2025 at 9:49 PM
I hesitated before sending it, but I couldn't resist.
In an interview yesterday, a S mathematized the problem as 2/3+2/3+2/3 & then added in a way I'd never seen before. She split one 2/3 into 1/3 and 1/3, then put each 1/3 on another of the 2/3, then added 1 + 1. Now to talk with the class about this.
January 16, 2025 at 4:08 PM
In an interview yesterday, a S mathematized the problem as 2/3+2/3+2/3 & then added in a way I'd never seen before. She split one 2/3 into 1/3 and 1/3, then put each 1/3 on another of the 2/3, then added 1 + 1. Now to talk with the class about this.
Two Ss explain how they made a mark for 60 on a 0-1000 number line. How would you place it? What would your students think of this work? marilynburnsmath.com/general-inte...
January 15, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Two Ss explain how they made a mark for 60 on a 0-1000 number line. How would you place it? What would your students think of this work? marilynburnsmath.com/general-inte...
Just read the article by @nicora.bsky.social in the current NCTM and listened to a child solve 400-198. Here S solves 600-499 by adding up. Did the context suggest this? Interviews are sooo valuable. www.listeningtolearn.com
December 21, 2024 at 9:09 PM
Just read the article by @nicora.bsky.social in the current NCTM and listened to a child solve 400-198. Here S solves 600-499 by adding up. Did the context suggest this? Interviews are sooo valuable. www.listeningtolearn.com
A "non zero chance" for ice on the road? I've never seen that description, in math or weather. My weather excuse is that I live in CA. No math excuse.
December 18, 2024 at 4:17 PM
A "non zero chance" for ice on the road? I've never seen that description, in math or weather. My weather excuse is that I live in CA. No math excuse.
I think this third grader has it just right!
December 17, 2024 at 6:19 PM
I think this third grader has it just right!
I went to class this morning. I'll blog soon, but here's the board work that shows how they read 1.5/3. Thanks for the suggestion.
December 13, 2024 at 11:18 PM
I went to class this morning. I'll blog soon, but here's the board work that shows how they read 1.5/3. Thanks for the suggestion.
Her answer to 1/2 + 2/3 is unconventional but mathematically correct. Not sure what to do next. Maybe show her work to the class (with her permission) and ask for their feedback?
December 12, 2024 at 4:38 PM
Her answer to 1/2 + 2/3 is unconventional but mathematically correct. Not sure what to do next. Maybe show her work to the class (with her permission) and ask for their feedback?
I'm always on the lookout for children's books I can use for teaching math. Here's one I just found and purchased. It combines doubling numbers and visualizations of them. svenvoelker.com/a-million-dots
December 11, 2024 at 6:51 PM
I'm always on the lookout for children's books I can use for teaching math. Here's one I just found and purchased. It combines doubling numbers and visualizations of them. svenvoelker.com/a-million-dots
A new blog post! It's about division. My first ever Card Sort and a follow-up on the board. tinyurl.com/u4jy4ced #mtbos #iteachmath #EduSky
December 2, 2024 at 6:51 PM
A new blog post! It's about division. My first ever Card Sort and a follow-up on the board. tinyurl.com/u4jy4ced #mtbos #iteachmath #EduSky
Here's a package of blank labels just ripe for a division lesson. How many sheets? #mtbos #iteachmath #EduSky
December 1, 2024 at 7:14 PM
Here's a package of blank labels just ripe for a division lesson. How many sheets? #mtbos #iteachmath #EduSky
As a starter, here are the three problems I gave the students with the task of deciding for each which was darker (or more red). The first was easy for them all. Not so much the others.
November 30, 2024 at 8:09 PM
As a starter, here are the three problems I gave the students with the task of deciding for each which was darker (or more red). The first was easy for them all. Not so much the others.
Ah, this makes sense. She is a remarkable thinker in all ways. I've attached something she wrote two years ago as a third grader. (Yes, I save everything from students.)
November 30, 2024 at 6:11 PM
Ah, this makes sense. She is a remarkable thinker in all ways. I've attached something she wrote two years ago as a third grader. (Yes, I save everything from students.)
I'm always fascinated with how Ss think about math. Here she figured out the correct answer, but I'm flummoxed about how she first figured that 7 x 1/3 = 2 1/3. Help! #EduSky
November 30, 2024 at 5:37 PM
I'm always fascinated with how Ss think about math. Here she figured out the correct answer, but I'm flummoxed about how she first figured that 7 x 1/3 = 2 1/3. Help! #EduSky
So many words in math have other meanings not related to math: even, odd, product, difference, factor, times, negative, irrational, & on and on. Here's a non-math play on words that I saw on Whidbey Island.
November 27, 2024 at 6:12 PM
So many words in math have other meanings not related to math: even, odd, product, difference, factor, times, negative, irrational, & on and on. Here's a non-math play on words that I saw on Whidbey Island.
A Hachiya persimmon and math, a terrific combo. Now I wonder if they all have the same number of sections.
November 25, 2024 at 5:09 PM
A Hachiya persimmon and math, a terrific combo. Now I wonder if they all have the same number of sections.
Here's a partition context: Three kids share 4 quarters equally. This is how I began the lesson.
November 23, 2024 at 2:59 PM
Here's a partition context: Three kids share 4 quarters equally. This is how I began the lesson.
Still processing my division lesson. How do I explain the rule that you have to continue dividing so that for 100 divided by 3 without a context, 33 r1 is correct, not 25 r25?
November 22, 2024 at 10:49 PM
Still processing my division lesson. How do I explain the rule that you have to continue dividing so that for 100 divided by 3 without a context, 33 r1 is correct, not 25 r25?