Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Big Picture: Transitioning Math Programs


Math Program Transition (Middle School Workshop Packet) (Elementary Workshop Packet)

Managing Change Chart

How to get your kids and materials from where they are to where they need to be for the new MT standards. 
Where does change start?  Take time to envision the future--A Vision.
  • An article to get you started:  Why a new text book is not the answer. What do we really expect of teacher knowledge? . . . (American Educator, Fall, 2011)
    • Where to get additional training?  GTCC Summer classes (gtccmt.org), MIET (gfcmsu.edu), PBS TeacherLine (reasonable Grad credits), facilitated discussions with other staff? - Need to learn the WHY's.
    • How else can you structure your staff?
  • Circle Diagram of Teaching
    • Content (Standards):  
      • Nice set of one-pagers to learn standards better (also includes shifts, practices, and circle diagram)
      • Need to shift content up/down grade levels to get it in order. Try these text alignment docs (about 6 hours per grade level)  (Link to my blog post.)
    • Skills (Instruction):
      • Math Practices: try to use each at least once per week. My Math Content post has resources linked by Practice.
      • Get Number Talks going in classrooms (Video on How)
      • Use Brain Research!! (they need a concrete representation 1st!)
        • Concrete/Tangible...then Pictorial/Diagrams/Models...THEN Abstract/Algorithms/Numerical Representations
        • Check out my post with resources on Growth Mindset
      • Rigor and Relevance:  Important to analyze classroom work against Blooms (Rigor) and Real-world/novel/unique application (Relevance)
      • If time allows--look for Understanding by Design resources. Great opportunity for staff-wide PD.
    • Assessment:
      • Importance of Formative:  need to be using assessment results immediately to impact instruction. Get a copy of Marzano's  Formative Assessment & Standards-Based Learning (Classroom Strategies That Work)  - Book Study??
      •  Using the results of existing formative?  MAPS, other
      • Additional formative:  can you use the Interim Assessments (IAB's) from Smarter Balanced? Adaptive in 2015 (goal).
      •  Familiar with Smarter Balanced summative assessment?  Navigation guide to access practice questions and the pilot test.
      • Try the One-Question Quiz:  quick feedback for both teacher and student, more accurate grading, no papers to grade later. 
      • Teacher Assessment: How does this overlap with what we expect of teachers? Consider existing eval tool and EPASS (Charlotte Danielson)

Monday, April 28, 2014

Plagiarism Content

A great essay with clear examples of plagiarism and the legal ramifications through college and into careers.
http://www.rbs2.com/plag.htm