Common Core: What can Parents Do? Jody Popple Math Specialist Madison Oneida Boces EngageNY.org

Welcome!

Tonight’s Objectives Help parents understand how the Common Core State Standards are different from traditional NY educational standards. Help parents understand what the shift to the new standards will mean for their kids. Help parents understand how they can help their kids at home.  

Common Core Math is getting the works from critics It’s too demanding for most kids Holds back the speedy kids Not the same as what parents already know Makes kids cry It even promotes “fuzzy math” Whether or not you agree with the new standards or state testing, it is the reality our children are facing right now. EngageNY.org

So your child needs you right now. You don’t have to agree with it, and I am not saying there isn’t room for debate, but today-right now-your child is studying math under a new set of standards. Any changes designed to improve schooling, no matter how perfectly conceived, need parent involvement to succeed. So your child needs you right now. EngageNY.org

Common Core lays the foundation for students to have a better grasp of mathematical concepts than previous standards, and sets higher expectations for teaching and learning. EngageNY.org

Math before the Core To Appreciate the changes under way, and better understand the anxiety provoked by common core, let’s look back at math before the core. EngageNY.org

“Plug and Chug” math Math was a bunch of memorized rules that didn’t make much sense. “Follow the rules and you will get the right answer.” “Do something different, and you were likely to get it wrong” EngageNY.org

Figuring out which rule to apply Analytical Thinking Figuring out which rule to apply * We firmly believed that this was what mathematics actually was. Limited need for originality Limited need for explanations Limited even genuine understanding Then when kids were asked to do something different parents were up in arms. We have read the frantic comments on social media by distraught parents who simply cannot fathom the work their kids are bringing home. More grade specific workshops to help with this transition. EngageNY.org

Learning Math The New Way Leads to deeper understanding (why before how) Removes the need for endless rule-memorizing Provides the intellectual flexibility to apply math in new situations. Also, it is A LOT MORE FUN!!! Common Core saves us from plug and chug. It asks students to learn math with both computational fluency, and understanding of the ideas. *Combining with understanding makes for problem solvers who can genuinely use their math. This is what is necessary for higher level math, and what businesses want. EngageNY.org

Good Math Produces: Students who can compute correctly and wisely. Students who can explain what they are doing when they solve a problem or use math to analyze. Students who have the flexibility and understanding to find the best approach to a new problem. EngageNY.org

A Closer Look: Mathematics Shifts Focus: learn more about less Build skills across grades Develop speed and accuracy Really know it, Really do it Use it in the real world Think fast AND solve problems When common core was introduced, there was talk about shifts in instruction. The shifts in math now emphasize mastery of math concepts. Goal: Learn more about less. To slow down and dig deeper for better understanding. It is important for students to be able to show their work- how they arrived at an answer, demonstrating their understanding of the process used. The object is to build skills grade by grade EngageNY.org

Mathematical Models A set of concrete and pictorial models that students use repeatedly across grade levels. Over time, students become familiar with these models and use them in more complex ways to solve problems. Models become part of a students’ tool box, which will help them have a quicker understanding of concepts as they are introduced. EngageNY.org

Number Bonds Pictorial representation of part-part-whole relationships Smaller numbers (parts) make up larger numbers (whole) EngageNY.org

Number Bonds Crucial model for learning 3 key decompositions: All bonds within 10 The bonds of 10 *to support how much a number needs to make a 10 unit. 3. The decompositions of teen numbers as a ten and some ones *Essential for mastery of sums and differences to 20, which lays the foundation for place value understanding. Basis for Mental Math Strategies Demonstrate Progeression EngageNY.org

Ten Frames Builds toward base 10 number system. Helps with addition and subtraction. Can use concrete objects. 5 group formation *Filled top left to right – provides pattern for placing disks on place value mat. Can see as 5 and 2 * Egg carton EngageNY.org

Rekenrek EngageNY.org

Place Value Chart 1. Bundles A graphic organizer that students use beginning in grade 1 through grade 5 with decimals. Progression: 1. Bundles 2. Base 10 Blocks 3. Disks 4. Draw Disks 5. Chip Model Demonstrate Progression Show hide 0 cards Add Subtract Multiply Divide EngageNY.org

Hide 0 Cards EngageNY.org

Arrangement of a set of objects organized into equal groups in rows and columns (ten frame) Reinforce the meaning of multiplication as repeated addition and the two meanings of division. This use reinforces the relationship between multiplication and division EngageNY.org

Area Model Effective strategy for teaching large number multiplication and for reinforcing place value and number sense EngageNY.org

Tape Diagram Visual problem-solving tool that helps students solve arithmetic and algebraic word problems. EngageNY.org

Forms of the Tape Diagram Rigor Breakdown – Application for Grades PK–2 February 2013 Network Team Institute Forms of the Tape Diagram 8 5 ? 5 8 ? There are two basic forms of the bar diagram model. The first form is sometimes called the part-whole model; it uses bar segments placed end-to-end. The second form, sometimes called the comparison model, uses two or more bars stacked in rows that are left-justified; in this form the whole is depicted off to the side. We will reflect on the nuances of the two forms when we have finished this section. For now, you can use whichever works best for you with any given problem.

Rigor Breakdown – Application for Grades PK–2 February 2013 Network Team Institute Example 8: Jose has 4 paper clips. Harry has twice as many paper clips as Jose. How many paper clips do they have altogether?

So, what can parents really do to help? EngageNY.org

Finding math in everyday life Be supportive when your child struggles, and even encourage him or her to ask for help. * Remember it is ok to struggle More fun in the real world: -have your child ‘Do the Math’ when it pops up in daily life. Trips to the store can be an entertaining way for kids to reinforce their learning and to amaze you with the skills they are developing. EngageNY.org

Backpacks: What you should see Books that are both fiction and non-fiction Real-world examples that makes what students learn in English and math make more sense Writing assignments that require students to use evidence instead of opinion Math homework that asks students to write out how they got their answer Math homework that asks students to use different methods to solve the same problem

Some questions to ask your child Tell me something you learned in your reading. How did you learn it? Did you talk about anything you read in class today? Did you use evidence when you talk about what you read? Did you learn any new words in class today? What do they mean? How do you spell them? How did you use math today? Can you show me an example? What math problems did you do today? How did you get your answer?

Any ideas? EngageNY.org

Resources for parents EngageNY.org

EngageNY EngageNY.org

Additional resources www.achievethecore.org www.learnzillion.com www.commoncore.org

Closing discussion It is Not a Test Not a Curriculum Common Core is a List of Topics everyone knows we should teach It is Not a Test Not a Curriculum Not a Set of Homework Problems Not a Federal Mandate And not a teacher evaluation tool. EngageNY.org

They Can Do This In the end, give children some credit. They CAN do this. https://www.engageny.org/content/new-york-students-they-can-do-it Show Video engageny EngageNY.org

Thank you EngageNY.org