Math+Curriculum


 * 5/25/11**

Math teachers of grades 1 through 12 met to articulate district math curriculum. Jen Madison from ESU 6 provided an overview of the why, why, when, and how of curriculum revision in order to establish common understanding. Teachers were asked to identify 10-15 expectations they have of students at the end of the year/course. Beginning with grade 1 through Geometry and Algebra 3, teachers shared and discussed these expectations to develop a big picture of the current expectations, obvious gaps and overlaps, and other issues. The following items were identified for further discussion and consideration:
 * need for standard math block / schedule revisions in elementary
 * how to handle summer slippage
 * how long to review multiplication facts
 * okay to teach touch math? (group agreed that touch math should be used as an intervention only)
 * need consistent use of math vocabulary (sum, difference, etc.)
 * need to emphasize reasonableness of answers, making change, and story problems throughout the grades
 * may need to develop decision rules/assessment (and perhaps a policy) tools for decisions about placement after grade 6
 * may need to consider an RtI framework, especially for assessment (i.e., screening tools, progress monitoring)
 * use of reference sheet, calculators, or similar tools throughout classes
 * some concern that students can't use reference sheets for ACT/SAT
 * may need to differentiate between objectives taught/assessed for mastery (m) and those introduced (i)
 * consider appropriateness of when we expect mastery of abstract concepts vs. concrete concepts; encourage abstract/algebraic thinking early, but recognize developmental level


 * Supporting Documents:**
 * Overview Presentation: @https://prezi.com/secure/ef49adadfab578660628610950ad37f21a754349/
 * NE Math Standards: []
 * NeSA-M Tables of Specs: []
 * Common Core Standards: []
 * Focal Points (NCTM): []
 * Template for mapping curriculum [|CURRICULUM Map.doc]


 * End of Day 1 Notes:**
 * Algebra 1: objectives, vocabulary done
 * Pre-Algebra: mostly done, added vocabulary
 * Math 7: mostly finished
 * Math Matters 1: need to do
 * Grade 6: mostly done, will put in supplemental resources, check alignment
 * Grade 5: need to get books to tomorrow and do
 * Grade 4: mostly done, check standards alignment
 * Grade 3: need to put in standards, finish a few objectives
 * Grade 2: mostly done
 * Grade 1: move objectives to template, finish standards

Placement idea for middle level. Many of these are from Norris
 * [|6th grade triangulation chart.doc]
 * [|7th grade triangulation chart.doc]
 * [|Math Placement Chart.doc]
 * [|Math placement documentation.doc]
 * [|OH triangulation chart.doc]

Problem Solving plans My problem solving web page is at http://lvermaas.wikispaces.com/Problem+Solving In the middle of the page are several problem solving plans.