Teaching the Common Core Using the Math Practices Why Math? An Introductory Unit By: Arin Belden
Outcomes for today…. Review Common Core math practices/instructional methods Understand the importance of the math practices & how they connect to meaningful, deeper understandings in student learning See examples of lessons and activities that support the Common Core math practices Brainstorm ideas that will work for you and your team Begin to develop math practice unit/lessons
The Common Core What we teach? Shifts in Content/Curriculum Shifts in Instructional Practices What we teach? Common Core standards NYS Modules Programs/textbooks aligned Online resources How we teach? Common Core math practices Nature of tasks regularly used in our classroom Meaningful, engaging Promote high-level thinking Deeper & enduring understanding “Mathematically proficient students…”
Common Core Math Practices Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. Reason abstractly and quantitatively. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. Model with mathematics. Use appropriate tools strategically. Attend to precision. Look for and make use of structure. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.
Why the math practices are important? What’s the purpose of the mathematical practices? Which mathematical practices do you think you do well in your room? School? Which mathematical practices do you feel you could improve on? Which of the math practices do you think are most important for student success?
What practices do you notice in this video? http://www.insidemathematics.org/index.php/exemplary-lessons-integrating-practice-standards
Set the Stage Starting with the practices should… Set the tone for the year & classroom culture Establish classroom expectations, routines and procedures Introduce key vocabulary Become familiar to students & build good habits Apply to other content areas Increase classroom efficiency & effectiveness throughout the the rest of the year
Our Team Why Math? Recognized many students do not like math & lack confidence in this area Students don’t understand how their learning relates to their lives (why have to learn math?) Saw problem solving & persevering through difficult problems as a common area of need for all students regardless of academic level Wanted to introduce expectations, procedures, routines & skills that would be continued through the entire year
Why Math? Enduring understandings Guiding Questions Math Practices focused on within this unit #1 #3 #4 #6 Enduring understandings Students will see math as a means to solving problems. Students will recognize the key components to math. Guiding Questions Why is math worth learning? What makes a good mathematician? What are the key components to math? What is precision? Why is it important? Is math all about the answer? What does it mean to persevere through a problem? How can you solve a math problem? Can math be used to solve real world problems? How? How is math used throughout your life?
Why Math unit cont… Knowledge Skills The students will be doing... The students will understand... math is comprised of numbers, symbols, letters, pictures a good mathematician needs to possess certain qualities, skills and habits the math process incorporates many steps there are multiple ways to solve problems how math is used/connected to the real world and how it applies to their own life their strengths and areas of need in math The students will be doing... representing math problems using multiple methods of presentation developing their own purpose for math identifying real-world math situations make observations to sort/classifying information developing/modeling classroom routines for good math practices setting math goals
#1 Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. Problem solving is one of biggest student need areas (getting started) Vocabulary Trial & error Unpacking difficult/complex problems Problem of the day template Classroom resource (visual) “Close reading” of math word problems Connect perseverance as important skill to other content areas & students lives http://www.insidemathematics.org/index.php/standard-1
#3 Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. Differentiation Multiple ways to solve problems Create discussion/debate Verbal & written explanations Importance of showing work/process to get solutions Evidence, reasoning & support for answers https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/introducing-math-to-students http://www.insidemathematics.org/index.php/standard-3
#4 Model with mathematics. Ways to show math Ways to do math mental math pencil & paper use of math tools Promoting finding answer multiple methods Strategies & tools for student choice Decisions best for specific problems given context How to attack/unpack complex problemssimplify/break into steps https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/third-grade-math-solutions?fd=0 http://www.mathplayground.com/thinkingblocks.html
Analyze problems & work closely Vocabulary Examples/non-examples #6 Attend to precision. Analyze problems & work closely Vocabulary Examples/non-examples Importance of precision (accuracy) in math Working carefully & neatly Building good math habits Gauging reasonableness of answers Precision vs. Estimation Checking work Labeling answers
What do you notice about the math practices presented in the videos What do you notice about the math practices presented in the videos? Can we draw any conclusions about effective use of math practices in the classroom?
Practices throughout the year Math Other Content Areas T-P-S Problem of the day Fluency practice Small group work Asking for evidence/reasoning & support Math buddies T-P-S Debate/support ideas Supporting details in ELA Perseverance with difficult text/questions Precision in writing “I can” statements/student work/portfolios
From my experience, students were…. Willing to take risks within the classroom Willing to challenge others ideas Engaged in meaningful discussions Able to carry over skills/practices to other content areas Able to use specific vocabulary correctly More creative problem solvers Able to defend their reasoning/answers with verbal & written explanations Able to see & respect other ways to solve problems Active participants & more accountable for their work
Developing a unit Make it valuable/worthwhile Identify student weaknesses across grade level Be concise to not take away from instructional time Are there practices that can be intertwined with other content areas or classroom procedures? Increase efficiency & effectiveness remainder of school year Apply to students mathematical lives (carry over) Work on meaningful skills & aim for consistency across grade levels within the school (year-to-year)
Goal for your group Identify what you already do to address the math practices. Identify the math practices you feel most important for student success. Any simultaneous? Brainstorm activities/classroom procedures that you could use to address a mathematical practices. Keep in mind the purpose of the math practices is to instill good mathematical habits that allow student to be proficient and strong mathematical thinkers.