Common Core Math - We Need to Learn Along With Our Students

The new math is a huge change from the way teachers have taught in the past.  Memorization, calculation, and procedures are no longer the "end-all."  What is required is inquiry, communication, connections, and visual ideas. Author, Jo Boaler says,  "We need students who can ask good questions, map our pathways, reason about complex solutions, set up models and communicate in different forms."  Read this article to better understand what Common Core math standards is all about.
Memorizers are the lowest achievers and other Common Core math surprises.  Jo Boaler. 5.7.15.  The Hechinger Report
http://hechingerreport.org/memorizers-are-the-lowest-achievers-and-other-common-core-math-surprises/

Routines to Support Math Thinking

This article sponsored by the Teaching Channel is a result of a veteran teacher watching a video series presentation by the Teaching Channel.  She, as well as other viewers, probably have wondered how the those teachers in the videos got to the point where students became independent learners.  Author, Lily Jones, examines those requirements and offers 6 routines for you to set up a supportive math environment in your class.  So that you are aware of the videos please view the Teaching Channel  video series link with the American Federation of Federation. Videos are short  - about 3 minutes each.  Jones's mantra is "Organization" and divides it up into 6 routines.  Read the article and assess where you are in her recommended routines.  Please offer your thinking in Comments below.

6 Routines to Support Mathematical Thinking.  Lily Jones. 1.16.14 - published 9.7.14.  The Teaching Channel
https://www.teachingchannel.org/blog/2014/01/16/routines-to-support-mathematical-thinking/?utm_source=Teaching+Channel+Newsletter&utm_campaign=6ac570c4dc-Newsletter_September_06_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_23c3feb22a-6ac570c4dc-294497157

NEW - Math Personalized Learning from Kahn Academy

Salman Khan states, "And while the standards may be common, we know that students are not - every student has their own learning journey."   The new materials include interactive exercises and drills that focus on conceptual understanding, procedural fluency and real-world application. Students follow "missions" organized by grade level.  The system uses adaptive software that pinpoints areas of struggle, suggests new skills and tracks student progress.  In addition there are resources for teachers.  The site includes a Common Core Map - to help find math drills by standard and real-time reports that measure student performance against Common Core standards.  All of this is free of charge!  What a gift from Salman Khan!

Khan Academy Unveils New Math Resources for Common Core.  Kanoe Namahow. 3.24.14. The Journal - Transforming Education Through Technology
http://thejournal.com/articles/2014/03/24/khan-academy-unveils-new-math-resources-for-common-core.aspx

Teaching Math the Holistic Way

Luba Vangelova, a pioneering math educator and curriculum designer,  promotes a new way to teach math that would alarm many teachers because they are totally unused to "natural math." However, Vangelova has many advocators who agree with her and also want to revolutionize the way math is taught.  Read this article and see what you think.  Have you tried some of these ideas yourself as we switich our focus to Common Core principles?  Please comment below.



5-Year Olds Can Learn Calculus.  Luba Vangelova. 3.3.14. The Atlantic
http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2014/03/5-year-olds-can-learn-calculus/284124/

Is "Showing Your Work" Really Necessary?

Common Core Standards in Math changes the way teachers teach math.  Most teachers had been taught that students need to show their work.  However, Standard 3 states, "Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others."  This opens the door to how students can now respond.  This article is excellent and an important read for our Title I math teachers.  Please check out the embedded link by Marilyn Burns, Math Reasoning Inventory, https://www.mathreasoninginventory.com/Home/AssessmentsOverview and view the videos that model appropriate strategies when interviewing students. 

You Must Aways May Show Your Work. David Ginsburg. 1.22.14. Education Week Teacher
http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/coach_gs_teaching_tips/2014/01/you_must_always_may_show_your_work.html

Math is Full of Stereotypes That Hold Us Back

I liked this article because it challenges not only students but teachers who need reteaching in shifting to the demands of Common Core.  Be sure to read the comments after the article.  Most comments disagree with the article and indicate it is difficult for students to learn multiple things.  How difficult it is for teachers to construct lessons is also brought out.  My take on this is that teachers have their own set of stereotypes which seem to be passed on to students along with parent attitudes.
What do you think?

The Stereotypes About Math That Hold Americans Back.  Jo Boaler. 11.12.13.  The Atlantic
http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2013/11/the-stereotypes-about-math-that-hold-americans-back/281303/#comments

Math Manipulatives for School & Home

This article focuses on a Fort Wayne initiative that uses manipulatives in class for math.  Parents are urged to use common household items also to reinforce math concepts.  Suggestions are also given to help parents with practicing math facts with their children.  Common experiences such as going to the grocery store is an opportunity to engage children in a variety of math tasks.

Help Adds up - Tools, parents give students boost in learning math skills. Kimberly Dupps Truesdell. 11.13.12 Journalgasette.net.
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20121113/FEAT/311139996

Use Strategy Cards, Not Flash Cards for Math

Like many schools and districts across the country, the teaching of math is undergoing significant changes.  Read this story of an Idaho teacher using critical thinking to teach math.  Basically, she asks students to explain their answers and write their own word problems.  Using critical thinking is a key component of Common Core.  The article states that few parents have heard of Common Core and that the schools have a lot of communication with parents to let them know what is required.

Idaho's new education standards promise to make homework a new experience for everyone involved.  Bill Roberts. 8.25.13.  Idaho Statesman
http://www.idahostatesman.com/2013/08/25/2724599/coaching-parents-students-through.html

Different Ways of Reaching Answers

Although this article's example is in a 2nd grade class at a Morgan County School, the principle is the same at other grades using different mathematical procedures.  Students display a bulletin board coming up with different ways to reach the number 4.  This class arrived at 20 different ways which were posted on a hall bulletin board seen by many other students going to gym class. 
        The district developed the OnGoing Assessment Project, or OGAP, which defines the knowledge and skills at each grade level.  OGAP has changed the ways teachers teach math.  There is lots of collaborative discussion in classes and students are asked to explain their how they arrived at answers.  Interesting....certainly an approach that should be very effective in our small group Title I classes.

Morgan adding math techniques.  Deangelo McDaniel. 10.21.13. Decatur Daily.com
http://www.decaturdaily.com/news/local/article_98591cc8-3a00-11e3-8d8f-001a4bcf6878.html

Excellent Common Core Math Strategies

Tennessee has adopted new program processes in the teaching and learning of math.  Read how this 8th grade teacher teaches math and loves the new approach:  qualifying  answers, solution options, discussion about different strategies to solve problems.  She also asks her students to explain their thinking in writing using complete sentences and correct punctuation.  There is lots of talking in her classroom about applications to real-world situations.  Excellent read!  We are attempting to do the same thing in our Title I classes. 
What ideas did you get after reading this article?  Anything you do in your classes that you'd like to share with your colleagues?

New standards mean lots of talking --and even writing --about math.  Barbara Kantrowitz.  10.15.13. The Hechinger Report
http://hechingerreport.org/content/new-standards-mean-lots-of-talking-and-even-writing-about-math_13463/

Looking for Guidance in CC math?

We all looking for ways to implement the changed expectations of Common Core.  This website, Illustrative Mathematics is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as a resource to various stakeholders. 
      What we are interested in, of course, is what we as Title I math teachers, can do to help our struggling math students.  This is a perfect website for real world applications done in an illustrative way.  Especially good for our many ELL students.  There are many ideas here so spend a bit of time searching the site.  Organized by K-8 Standards, High School Standards, and Practice Standards (which is in draft form.)  Well worth your time.

Ilustrative Mathematics.  Current . Institiute for Mathenmatics & Education. 
http://www.illustrativemathematics.org/

What Are The Math Instructional Shifts All About?

The most important part of this article is the video by David Coleman, co-author of CCSS. This is one video not to be missed!  He explains the 6 shifts in more detail which are....   (video also appeared in another post)

1. Focus: fewer topics covered in greater depth
2. Coherence: connect learning within and across grades
3. Fluency: perform mathematics with speed and accuracy
4. Understanding: use mathematics in complex situations
5. Application: know when and how applying math can solve a problem
6. Dual Intensity: achieve fluency and conceptual understanding/application

As you listened to David Coleman, what struck you as important?  What struck you as being difficult to achieve in our Title I context, meeting with students 2 hours per week?  How can conferencing with classroom teachers help you to implement at least one of these shifts?
Please express your questions/concerns in your Comments below.  They will be taken seriously and will be part of the discussion of the math team this year.

Common Core State Standards:  Math Instructional Shifts.  David Ginsburg. 6.30.12.  Education Week Teacher
http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/coach_gs_teaching_tips/2012/06/math_common_core_state_standards_instructional_shifts.html?cmp=ENL-TU-VIEWS2