May 2018
Meeting Minutes
Math Study Group
May 18, 2018
Call to order – led by Sam Rhodes
Resource: math vids site – very useful. Thank you, Terry!!
NCTM/NCSM - Takeaways
Keynotes from NCTM/NCSM – View here!
CueThink
WipeBook – Dry erase flip charts
Concept of teaching through anchor tasks – beyond changing numbers, process and struggle can help you differentiate graham fletcher showed a fraction 3 act task
Check out PHET simulations UC Boulder (free online) K-12
Math Workshop
Summer Institute Updates –
Registration is open 😊
If interested in running a workshop (free admission for you and a teacher!) please email Sam
Potential Workshops to fill void, or offer additional support
Problem Solving
Coaching partner with Dr. Tschannen-Moran
ability to reach more people
investigate the price
Team planning focus on the lesson plan rather than the various forms of instruction, switch from long, several page lesson plans to more consolidated empowering coaches to empower students
Dr. Robert Berry from NCTM
Let’s maybe combine the math specialists with the admin
it’s got to be new – cost for a coach, get a principal in for free!
what do we want the outcomes for specialists be? also, think too about the struggles of new math coaching leadership positions
Administrator/School Leader
couple with what resources to support teachers in the follow-up meeting
TIMEFRAME – ASAP! or maybe, take the year and have it debut right after the SOLs (in early summer) or, how about early mid-November.
Structure – After PD, reserve time towards the end of the day provide time for the coaches and admin to come together to create a set of “look fors”
Middle School Algebra Structures
Previously all students would take grade 6 math and then teachers would decide where the students would be placed. Now, integrating the DOEs language, students will take pre-algebra in 6th grade (for accelerated group) and in 7th grade for else. Lesson learned, testing kids above grade-level got some push-back from teachers. Structured so that the incoming group is coming from a strong 5th grade. Recommendation to teach specifically algebra geared for for middle school students. Think too about, now that these courses are in the high school, where will they go in high school? Found some holes in one instance, so need to now relook and align the curriculum. Another group has strict considerations to enter the advanced program including a district created diagnostic test. Be aware of the calculator/non-calculator sections. Communication with parents is essential. Stigma associated with Grade 8 Math, renaming to Pre-algebra. Another example of how students are selected is using the gifted process as a guide – if students want to get into the class outside of being “gifted” they can take a CLEP test. Suggestion also to strengthen the algebra readiness program.
Opportunity from Dr. Williams
possible book study for new book edition
Will be running site-based professional developments on K-2 struggling learners
Events for next year
√ Yes to March meeting!
Math Day - thoughts?
Split into by grade level [(K-5) & (6 – 12)]? Middle school high school included – think as an opportunity to bridge Algebra and Geometry?
Important to market James and get the word out
Origo Education – Thank you!!!! and please see link here!