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Ryan Flessner @ryanflessner.bsky.social · 9h

Happy to interact whenever the #ElemMathChat family is ready!

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Ryan Flessner @ryanflessner.bsky.social · 9h

Fully agree. I learn so much by listening! #ElemMathChat

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Ryan Flessner @ryanflessner.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Hi @heidisabnani.bsky.social ! You have so many. I’m always getting tips on new books from you! #ElemMathChat

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Ryan Flessner @ryanflessner.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Thank you for joining in. I always learn so much from you!

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Ryan Flessner @ryanflessner.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

OK #ElemMathChat family...I'm heading to bed. Thanks for the wonderful conversation tonight. I'm grateful for each of you. And - as always - thanks to @mnmmath.bsky.social for organizing these chats for all of us!!!

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Ryan Flessner @ryanflessner.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Still at 9 Eastern! Those time changes are a killer, but it's nice that primetime TV starts at 7 and ends at 10. That worked well for me when we lived in Wisconsin! #ElemMathChat

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Ryan Flessner @ryanflessner.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I agree. One of my favorite things is to have kids (and pre-service teachers and inservice teachers) tell me the story of the equation...ESPECIALLY when there's a variable involved. #ElemMathChat

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Ryan Flessner @ryanflessner.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I was going to ask, but thought I'd do some googling first! #ElemMathChat

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Ryan Flessner @ryanflessner.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

It's a sad truth. I love books like Connecting Arithmetic to Algebra (Schifter, Russell, & Bastable). We HAVE help students make connections to Algebra BEFORE they get to Algebra! Algebra shouldn't be the scary monster lurking at the end of middle school/beginning of high school. #ElemMathChat

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Ryan Flessner @ryanflessner.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Luckily, @mnmmath.bsky.social and I don't live nearby. We'd probably be taking them! 🤣😂🤣 #ElemMathChat

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Ryan Flessner @ryanflessner.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I love this example. Thank you for offering it. Now my mind is spinning about ways to share this with the MS & HS teachers I'm working with. #ElemMathChat

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Ryan Flessner @ryanflessner.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Such a good point - Working with numbers in order to strengthen our skills without the pressure of a grade. I'm wondering how informal assessment might benefit all of us - even secondary teachers - as we think through which opportunities to present to our learners...? #ElemMathChat

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Ryan Flessner @ryanflessner.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Yes! My favorite bookseller is betterworldbooks.com They encourage reusing resources instead of producing and consuming new items. When you buy a book, they donate one. And the quality is GREAT. Most books I've purchased have been hardcover library books that have been taken out of circulation.

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Shop affordable used & new books at Better World Books. Every purchase fuels global literacy with book donations to transform lives. Free shipping on qualifying orders.

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Ryan Flessner @ryanflessner.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Can't wait to add your list to my collection (and the books I still need to find on @mnmmath.bsky.social 's list)! #ElemMathChat

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Ryan Flessner @ryanflessner.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Aren't we doing Algebra from the jump? Aren't numerals abstract symbols we use to tell the story of our world? Aren't we doing algebra when we ask 1st graders to solve the problem 5 + [box] = 8? I love to ask them when 5 + [box] happens in their lives. You get great answers from kids! #ElemMathChat

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Ryan Flessner @ryanflessner.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

We're still going if you want to join in! And you can always add your thoughts tomorrow. I often have to play catch up. :) #ElemMathChat

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Ryan Flessner @ryanflessner.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Join us on November 5 at 8pm Central/9pm Eastern for an #ElemMathChat led by @tilefarmer.bsky.social Alex will lead us in a conversation about Creativity in Math and Mathy Games. See you then!

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Ryan Flessner @ryanflessner.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Thank you for joining us tonight! It’s been a pleasure to be in community with each of you. I can’t wait until next month! #ElemMathChat Again, I'm happy to stay until you've all had enough! #ElemMathChat is a highlight of each month. When I can't attend, I have an extreme sense of FOMO!

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Ryan Flessner @ryanflessner.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Like @mnmmath.bsky.social 's spreadsheet of books, I knew you'd mention the rekenrek. :) Now, everyone go watch the videos of @kimmontague.bsky.social using the rekenrek in the problem strings videos on the MathIsFigureOutAble website! #ElemMathChat

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Ryan Flessner @ryanflessner.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

One Too Many: A Seek & Find Counting Book written and illustrated by Gianna Marino is visual candy. The book encourages children to see specific numbers within increasingly complex pictures. I love to use this book to discuss “cumulative total” with teachers. #ElemMathChat

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Ryan Flessner @ryanflessner.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

One Family by George Shannon and illustrated by Blanca Gómez allows conversations about unitizing to begin. The book explores ideas such as “One is five” meaning five bananas constitute one bunch. #ElemMathChat

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Ryan Flessner @ryanflessner.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I *KNEW* you were going to post this! So glad you did. Such a great resource for all of us. :) #ElemMathChat

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Ryan Flessner @ryanflessner.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I love the way you use the word "power." I'm always talking with teachers about how we can empower our students to take responsibility for their learning and growth in math. #ElemMathChat

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Ryan Flessner @ryanflessner.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

A5: I love Zero is the Leaves on the Tree by @betsyfranco.bsky.social Passages like,“Zero is…the footprints on the beach when the waves come in and in and in” pair with beautiful illustrations - by Shino Arihara - so children can SEE 0. Masterful! #ElemMathChat

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Ryan Flessner @ryanflessner.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I couldn't agree more - on the need for manipulatives in MS & HS as well as the benefits of real-deal hands-on experiences for all learners. #ElemMathChat

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Ryan Flessner @ryanflessner.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

...and adults like me! It's always a pleasure to be in your space and pick your brain! #ElemMathChat

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Ryan Flessner @ryanflessner.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Q5: What children’s books do you use to teach number sense? #ElemMathChat

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Ryan Flessner @ryanflessner.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Yes! Love these. I also love that you talk about your continued journey to learn. It's so important for ALL of us to share this openly. Once curiosity and inquisitiveness becomes part of your being, life becomes so much more fulfilling! #ElemMathChat

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Ryan Flessner @ryanflessner.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Love these. I use pattern blocks for fractions as well. And @alisonmellomath.bsky.social has me on a hunt for fraction towers. I love how she emphasizes the verticality of the fraction towers. #ElemMathChat

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Ryan Flessner @ryanflessner.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I saw @fawnnguyen.substack.com present about them at @nctm.org last year. She's amazing. I've always loved this website, but to hear her vision and the ways she thinks about all of this was a gift. #ElemMathChat

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Ryan Flessner @ryanflessner.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Careful with this one. It's addictive!!! #ElemMathChat

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Ryan Flessner @ryanflessner.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I love it that your friends call you when their kids blow their minds. You're a good friend, Annie! #ElemMathChat

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Ryan Flessner @ryanflessner.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I was just talking about divisibility rules with my pre-service teachers earlier this year. My favorite part was that a couple of them kept asking, "But why does that work?" It opened up a lot of thinking! #ElemMathChat

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Ryan Flessner @ryanflessner.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

So fun! Will you be in Denver for NCSM/NCTM so we can talk about this? #ElemMathChat

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Ryan Flessner @ryanflessner.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I feel like this hour is moving at warp speed. Feel free to answer these questions at your own pace. I'll stick around as long as anyone is here to interact! #ElemMathChat

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Ryan Flessner @ryanflessner.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Q4: What manipulatives or other math tools do you use to teach number sense? #ElemMathChat

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