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This article outlines why everyone needs to give Common Core a chance. The author points out that Americans have one of the best education system when it comes to ideas, but we have trouble following the plans out. Students really learn best not from drill and practice but by applying the information to real world problems. That knowing the procedure to working a long division problem isn't the same as the application of long division. By teaching problems with a real world concept the math becomes more concrete.

(Week 7: Jeremy, Kelly, Patience and Sherita) This article is originally a Diigo share from 2015. This journal article is accessible in the link given above. This journal article discusses how here in America, there is a pervasive fear surrounding teaching and learning math. The author suggests that the American public suffers from innumeracy. Through discussing the article, the group agrees that many countries have mastered the use of American mathematical principles. The article discussed that by utilizing and engaging in clear mathematical methods of learning for students and by creating valuable conversations, making the learning process more viable, the students consequently, learn. "Instead of having students memorize and then practice endless lists of equations - which Takahashi remembered from his own days in school - Matsuyama taught his college students to encourage passionate discussions among children so they would come to uncover math's procedures, properties and proofs for themselves. One day, for example, the young students would derive the formula for finding the area of a rectangle; the next, they would use what they learned to do the same for parallelograms. Taught this new way, math itself seemed transformed. It was not dull misery but challenging, stimulating and even fun." (Green, 2014) Teachers can use this article to further their instructional practices by utilizing math in a real world format, in a conversational and hands on applicable manner, making learning math fun and interesting for their students. In some instances, math classes may be seen as boring and monotonous tools that serve to be an overtly unloved subject area here in America. The simple truth, is that many teachers love to learn and teach math here in America, and there is a realization for teachers, that all nations compete mathematically. In technology, industry, trade, consumerism and capitalism, numbers and mathematical data maintain a lot of the privile

How teachers are raising scores and student achievement by setting high expectations, frequent assessment and getting parents and families involved.

I really like the points that this article identifies in how teachers are closing the achievement gap. The main strategies that they are using are clearly helping students with their learning and understanding of the instruction. It is important to set high expectations for all students and to help students develop confidence in their learning. Through frequent assessment, we are able to monitor student growth and progress to identify what works for them and what needs to be improved. Parent involvement is also vital. Currently in my classroom, it is clear to me which parents are involved in their child's learning as it correlates to their child's performance. There needs to be a clear relationship and consistency between the two to maximize student success.

This would definitely be an interesting way of teaching argument writing to my 9th grade classes. With this lesson, students analyze how an author creates an argument in several short documentaries.

This is an article from the NY Times about how a school in Wisconsin is utilizing data in every area of the school building. It was very eyeopening how a school embraced the data movement and did not shy away from it. Great read.

This article analyzes how closing the Education gap will lead to a dramatic increase in America's GDP. It was very intriguing to see actual data to support investing in education and the positive economic impact it has.