Fishtank Learning Blog

Avoid a classroom full of blank stares with this guide to unpacking the complexity of read aloud texts and providing supports and scaffolds to help students build understanding.

While flawed problems have unique weaknesses, we have some theories on four unifying characteristics of good math problems: clarity, diagnosticity, tractability, and joy.

Take a deep dive into these facets with before and after examples of each essential attribute.

As educators make plans to provide resources for students and families during school closures, we offer recommendations on how Fishtank curriculum can be tailored to remote learning. 

Math teachers know that not all problems are great problems. The not-so-great problems might lack clarity, fail to engage the skills they're meant to target, or demonstrate cultural tone-deafness. Take a look at how 5 problems went from “so-so” to “spot-on”.

Three members of the Fishtank curriculum team spent their formative teaching years as Teach for America corps members. Here they share the high points, the struggles, and how their time in the classroom informs their approach to creating the Fishtank curriculum.