Group items tagged

"The information presented in these materials will assist Canadian educators using NCTM products and materials to better connect the Canadian mathematics curricula to the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM) "

Slides make great points that summarize needs to consider for CCSSM

"A few weeks ago, I wrote an article for TheAtlantic.com describing some of the problems with how math is currently being taught. Specifically, some math programs strive to teach students to think like "little mathematicians" before giving them the analytic tools they need to actually solve problems. Some of us had hoped the situation would improve this school year, as 45 states and the District Columbia adopted the new Common Core Standards. But here are two discouraging emails I received recently. The first was from a parent:"

"Achievethecore.org has ready-to-use modules include PowerPoints, videos, facilitator's instructions, and hands-on activities. Ideal for PD workshops, professional learning communities, and self-study."

"We can all remember learning our times tables - even if we can't remember the sums themselves. But which one do children find the hardest? And how do boys and girls compare?"

"Math has a bit of an image problem. It's often seen as hard, abstract-even pointless. he creators of the National Museum of Mathematics in New York City are all about turning that image around and convincing young people that mathematics is cool."

"In our data-centric world, statistics are everywhere and statistical literacy is essential. For example, what is "margin of error" in a political poll? Is the finding from a study of a new cancer drug "statistically significant"? "

"Math instructors at the Downers Grove high schools are developing a new curriculum based on the state's more difficult learning standards, one that will introduce some new courses. The Common Core Standards, which Illinois adopted in 2010, revamp learning expectations for students in English Language Arts and in Mathematics. Community High School District 99 officials plan to implement new curricula in the 2013-14 school year, while the statewide testing based on Common Core will start the following year"

"Recently, I had a conversation with a group of math coaches who are working with elementary teachers on implementation of the Common Core Standards for Mathematics. The discussion turned to a description of rigor in the classroom. The coaches commented that many of their teachers were confused by exactly what was meant by teaching and learning with rigor. The coaches weren't sure how to respond."

"The decision about whether students are "college-ready" in mathematics will be based only on the exams students take at the end of a math sequence, rather than on a combination of results from all the courses in the sequence, a state assessment group decided today."

"The ultimate goal of professional development is improving students' learning, through the mechanism of improving instruction. This brief review of research on mathematics professional development summarizes what we know about the goals and characteristics of effective mathematics professional development for teachers. We intend this review to guide educators as they plan professional development."

SLO Guidelines for the State of Indiana

"Karl Nelson is the director of the Digital Learning Department for the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). In this Q&A, he talks about how his state is using open educational resources (OER) to help support Common Core State Standards. The OSPI's OER Project was launched in 2012, when the Washington Legislature passed HB 2337. According to Nelson, the legislature saw OER as a chance to both save districts money and improve instructional material quality, so it directed OSPI to identify a library of openly licensed courseware aligned with the state standards. The legislature also asked OSPI to provide guidance to school districts using OERs."

14 Modules to aid teachers in learing the thinking required to be involved in the 8 Standards for Mathematical Practices. Free and downloadable.

"Participants in the Guidelines for Assessment and Instruction in Statistics Education (GAISE) project have created two reports of recommendations for introductory statistics courses (college level) and statistics education in Pre-K-12 years. "

"Welcome to Inside Mathematics, a professional resource for educators passionate about improving students' mathematics learning and performance. This site features classroom examples of innovative teaching methods and insights into student learning, tools for mathematics instruction that teachers can use immediately, and video tours of the ideas and materials on the site. We are glad you're here and look forward to learning with you!"

"t's Crazy Hair Day at Marshall Elementary School in Boston's Dorchester neighborhood-which is perfect, because Tufts University researcher Bárbara Brizuela has brought a hat. In the stovepipe style and made from oaktag paper, the hat is one foot tall. Brizuela then asks, "If I'm five and a half feet tall, how tall will I be with the hat on?" Second-grader Jasmine, smiley in a pink sweatsuit, answers, "Six and a half feet." Rather than say, "Right!" Brizuela offers another question: "How do you know?""

"Calculators. Protractors. Spreadsheets. Computer algebra systems. Dynamic geometry software. You might not realize it, but the Common Core State Standards for mathematics make explicit reference to the use of all these tools, and others, in learning math. I discovered this as I was gathering information for a recent Education Week story about calculator policies for the forthcoming common-core exams. It turns out that the standards have a lot to say about using technology."

"Whenever I take a new teacher to observe a veteran teacher, I'm surprised at what they notice. We could have observed the most impressive lesson ever, but without fail the new teachers notice the little things in the classroom: the way the chairs are set up, the routine the teacher has established for collecting work, the posters on the wall. They inherently know that seemingly small details can make or break teachers."