So glad you are a part of this amazing group!
In this group, we believe that the teaching of mathematics can be better than the way it has been taught in the past. That we can help kids develop their mathematical mind through rigorous, yet fun, activities and we don’t have to drill & kill our kiddos with worksheets…because they are just kiddos.
We want to build their math minds so that they become critical thinkers, not calculators. If you don’t think math should be taught this way, then this group probably is not for you.
This is a big group and I aim to preserve the quality of the group yet also preserve my time with my family and my job. Please take the time to read the rules below as they will be enforced.
This is a FREE group that I run and I don’t have the time to contemplate how to manage each post/comment, so if you don’t follow the rules you will be removed and banned from the group.
I have built this community to support and educate. I want to make sure it’s a safe space and that I preserve the quality of the group at all times, which is why I have developed these rules and enforce them on a daily basis.
So, if you are cool with that, here’s the rules:
1. NO SELF PROMOTION
No self-promotion is allowed except where otherwise explicitly stated.
So, what do I consider self-promotion?
– Selling anything – that means products, programs, etc.
– Posting a link to your website.
– Posting your own content in the group and not in a specific (and relevant) thread. If you have content that will be helpful you can post it in the comment of their thread. But making your own thread of your own content is a no-no.
-Posting links to surveys or creating polls or surveys in the group.
– Posting “free” offers. These will be deleted and you will be removed…even if you have the best of intentions.
– Posting content that is the length of a blog post, even if there is no link attached. If I have to scroll, scroll, scroll to read your post, I encourage you to post it on your own site and not in the group as it will be deleted.
**Note: I may break my own rule and promote something that I feel will benefit the group. I reserve that right as it is my group and community.
2. SAVE POSTS, DON’T COMMENT WITH “FOLLOWING”
There are LOTS of posts in the group asking for resources on a specific thing. When you type a comment like “F” so you can get notifications on that post, it clutters up the comments and makes it hard for people to sort through the actual resources people comment and the “following” comments.
This gets super annoying for members as they have to scroll and scroll and scroll through the comments to find the good stuff.
Any “following” type of comments will be deleted and if I see that you are continually doing it you will just be removed from the group.
Learn how to follow a post without commenting on it:
- Click on the 3 dots in the upper right corner of the post and select “Save Post.” This will put it into your saved posts that can be easily accessed later and even put into categories based upon the content of the post. Learn more about that here: https://www.facebook.com/help/1471345899777163 and here https://www.facebook.com/groups/BuildMathMinds/permalink/1983817168523241/
- Click on the 3 dots in the upper right corner of the post and select “Turn on notifications for this post.” If you just want to be notified when new comments get added to the post, select this option. It will show up in your notifications for easy access. However, after people stop commenting, it may be harder to find as it will be buried in your notifications….so saving the post might be better, just depends upon what you are wanting to do with the information from the post.
3. USE ONE HASHTAG IN YOUR POST
#Resources
#MathApps
#GamesAndActivities
#Visuals
#Manipulatives
#Book
#Website
#HelpWanted!
#Curriculum
#Tips
#ProudMoment
#Blessed
As much as I really hate hashtags, I’m putting this rule in. The use of hashtags helps me keep the posts limited to things that will benefit the group AND makes it easier for you to find things when searching inside the group.
PLEASE do not string a bunch of hashtags together and put one of these in there, like #LoveSundays #SoGladItsSunny #Book #ReadingWithDogs. That’s annoying, pick ONE from the list and just use that.
You are allowed to add a math content hashtag along with the hashtag you pick from the list. For example, if you are looking for a book recommendation about how kids learn fractions you could use #Book #Fractions.
Here’s when to use which hashtag:
#Resources – when you need help finding a resource (article, activity, book, website, etc)
#MathApps – any post related to a math app
#GamesAndActivities – any post related to a math game or activity
#Visuals – posts that pertain to visual representations of math (tape diagrams, dot patterns, number lines, etc)
#Manipulatives – questions or comments about using manipulatives in math
#Book – sharing a favorite math book or asking for book recommendations on a particular math topic
#Website – share a favorite math site or ask for recommendation for a site to help you with a certain math topic
#HelpWanted! – need help with a student, a student, a group of teachers you are working with, or administration
#Curriculum – when you have a question about a particular textbook series
#Tips – if you have a great tip for teaching a certain math topic
#ProudMoment – tell us something great that happened in your classroom/school
#Blessed – when you are giving thanks to someone inside the group for their help or want to give thanks to someone outside the group by sharing their work by talking about how it has helped you as you’ve been building your math mind
4. NO POSTING OF VIDEOS
No posting or sharing your own videos.
I do not have the time to watch your videos to make sure they are promo-free, which is why there are no videos allowed.
The ONLY exception is sharing motivational, instructional, inspirational or downright funny videos.
Again, these CANNOT be your own videos.
5. DON’T BE RUDE
Be polite.
No second chances.
That means respecting people’s feelings, privacy and rights to their work (for example don’t give everyone the download of a TpT item that you had to pay for).
Respect where people are in their journey of building their math minds.
Be mindful that not all teachers have had the opportunity to learn what you might already know. If you see someone ask questions like “What’s a rekenrek?” “What are Number Talks?” don’t make comments like “You don’t know what a rekenrek is?????” Instead graciously share your favorite resource to help them learn more.
6. NO RANTING
Going off on a rant is different than explaining a bad situation that you are needing advice and help with.
This is a supportive group, so quickly explain the situation and then get on to how you would like the group to help you.
7. BE HELPFUL
Provide genuine and helpful feedback and suggestions to others.
Ask questions.
Give answers.
Be the kind of supportive colleague that we all wish we had in the classroom next door.
We are all here to help each other…so give more than you take, please. A nice guideline is to follow is to try to do 2 helpful comments to every 1 post that you ask for help.
8. NO SOLICITATION OR REQUESTS TO PM YOU
Do not post in the group and ask people to PM you to find out more about what you offer, how you can help, or to work with you.
Your comments (and YOU) will be removed.
9. DON’T PRIVATE MESSAGE ADMINS
If you have a question about why your post was deleted, it’s because you broke the rules.
If you were removed from the group, it’s because you broke the rules.
If you are questioning whether or not you can post something in the group, it’s probably best you don’t post it.
I ask that you respect the time of myself and the other Admins and not PM them through Facebook as they will not respond.
Finally, you need to agree to not comment on my grammatical errors. I already know I’m horrible at it. I don’t use correct punctuation! I often hav misspellings….I use ellipses often and I have lots of run-on sentences…so if reading that last sentence was painful for you and you want to send me a message about all my errors, #1-don’t and #2-you may not like being in my group.
And if you don’t agree with ALL of these rules, kindly remove yourself from the group.
Other than that, let’s go Build Math Minds!!!
**Note: These rules are subject to change without notice. It’s on you to keep up.**
HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THIS GROUP
1. Come in ready to learn.
Don’t come into this group looking to promote your items.
Instead, show up with the intention to connect, serve and help.
2. Use the search function inside the group.
If you are looking for a particular post, try searching using some key words or hashtags.
If you are looking for #Tips or #Books, etc, try searching the group first before you create a new post.
3. Don’t share the same content across 10 different Facebook groups.
Many people belong to those same groups and see your same posts repeated.
5. If you show up just to post your content and not help out your fellow community members, they notice.
It’s a big group and while it may seem like people don’t notice your presence and how you show up, they do.
6. Share your thoughts and experiences because they are valuable to others.
We are elementary educators who are supposed to know everything about every subject we teach….yeah, right!!!
The more I learn the more I realize I don’t know it all. So, please share your knowledge and insights that you have about helping students build their math minds AND ask questions when you don’t know. We are smarter together than any one of us alone.
If you’ve read all of these rules and still want to be a part of what this group is all about…then WELCOME!
I am excited to get to know you and learn from you!