#INspirEDmath
March 2019, Volume 8
Feeling Lucky
Pay Attention
When a speaker gave a talk, 6% of the audience slept through the whole thing.22% of the audience stayed awake and heard the entire talk.
Of the rest of the audience, half of them heard 2/3 of the talk, and half of them heard 1/3 of the talk.
What was the average proportion of the talk that people heard?
March's Focus: Practice #6
- Establishing mathematics goals to focus learning
- Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving
- Use and connect mathematical representations
- Facilitate meaningful discourse
- Pose purposeful questions
- Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding
- Support productive struggle in learning mathematics
- Elicit and use evidence of student thinking
Fluency and Flexibility
The Order Matters
- Offer an initial exploration activity that allows students to use informal reasoning strategies.
- Provide experiences that help students connect procedures with underlying concepts.
- Provide opportunities to rehearse or practice strategies to justify their procedure
- Practice should be brief, engaging, and purposeful.
- Analyze students' procedures to reveal insights and misunderstandings.
Digital Resources That Support Conceptual Understanding
Verizon Math Fail
#INspirEDmath Testimonial
"I had always taught arithmetic sequences in a traditional way. I gave them the formula followed by different examples with varying information given. I provided them a step-by-step guideline for how to solve each problem based on what they were given. That’s how my brain worked, so that’s how I expected them to make sense of it. I was focusing on the procedures and not the understanding. They were too focused on which guideline to follow based on the information they were given. They made no connections to previous learning. They didn’t understand the notation of the formula, so they didn’t understand what to plug in where and when. That was the problem...it was not just about plugging things in.
After attending the #INspirEDmath Extravaganza put on by the IDOE math specialists, I decided to make some changes. I started by writing several arithmetic sequences on the board and asked the students what they noticed. From there, small groups were asked to come up with a definition based on their observations. Groups then shared out and I would write a sequence that exactly matched their definitions. Doing this allowed students to see the holes in their initial thinking. After revisions, students finally came up with the idea that an arithmetic sequence increased or decreased by a constant amount and that an arithmetic sequence is basically a linear function!
I used the exact same examples I had in the past, but this time I gave them time to struggle with the concept first which allowed them to figure out how to write the explicit formula regardless of what information was given instead of me giving them step-by-step examples. The results were amazing. My students became flexible in their thinking. They understood the concept, so they were able to develop procedures on their own."
- Caitlin Zahn, Noblesville High School, @MrsZahn1228
Analytical Algebra II Updates and Information
Webinars
Analytical Algebra II: The What & The Why - Tuesday, April 30, 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. (ET) - In this first of two webinars we will discuss the origins and creation of the course as well as the goals of the course. Updates regarding the Commission for Higher Education (CHE) and the NCAA will be given. We will also begin to compare and contrast Analytical Algebra II with traditional Algebra II in an effort to build confidence and understanding. Register here.
Analytical Algebra II: Adapting & Gathering Resources - Thursday, May 16, 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. (ET) - In this follow up webinar, we will focus on resources, specifically, how schools can utilize and adapt their current Algebra II text with Analytical Algebra II. We will also explore utilizing the math framework as well as begin to share digital resources. Register here.
Regional Summer Learning & Collaboration
Join us for a deep dive into Analytical Algebra II. Over the course of two days, educators will receive resources and pedagogical strategies that can be used to implement the course. Educators will also be given meaningful work time to collaborate with colleagues from around the state. Click on the location to register. Additional information will follow to registered participants closer to the date.
Southern Indiana - June 4 - June 5 - Jasper, IN
Central Indiana - June 6 - June 7 - Indianapolis, IN
Northern Indiana - June 10 - June 11 - Warsaw, IN
Opportunities For The Field
7-12 Mathematics Content Expert Work Group - Round 3
IDOE's math content specialists are looking to convene high school educators for a third round of development on the framework. We will continue to create practical examples and provide digital resources for every standard in every high school course. All courses are still in the developmental phase.
If you are interested and available to come to the Indiana Association of School Principals building (11025 E. 25th St, Indianapolis) Monday, April 15, 2019, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. please complete the following form.
6-8 Mathematics Content Expert Work Group - Round 2
IDOE's math content specialists are looking to convene middle school educators for a second round of development on the framework. We will continue to create practical examples and provide digital resources for every standard in grade 6-8 mathematics, as well as Algebra 1. All courses are still in the developmental phase.
If you are interested and available to come to the Indiana Association of School Principals building (11025 E. 25th St, Indianapolis) Friday, April 26, 2019, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. please complete the following form.
K-5 Mathematics Content Expert Work Group - Round 2
IDOE's math content specialists are looking to convene elementary school educators for a second round of development on the framework. We will continue to create practical examples and provide digital resources for every standard in grade K-5 mathematics. All courses are still in the developmental phase.
If you are interested and available to come to the Indiana Association of School Principals building (11025 E. 25th St, Indianapolis) Tuesday, April 30, 2019, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. please complete the following form.
Educator Spotlight: Megan Sheptoski
My name is Megan Sheptoski, and I am delighted to be featured in this month’s newsletter! I am currently in the second year of my teaching journey. This year I started a new position at Highland Middle School in Anderson teaching 6th grade math. I have had the privilege to assist in piloting an honors math course this year and have loved the challenge of pushing these bright minds to their fullest potential.
In my classroom, I strive to break the preconceived notion many of my students hold-that mathematics is a set of steps, rules, and computations. Students engage in explorations, discussions, debates, technology, and more to form an individualized perspective on mathematics. I do not believe that mathematics should be about memorization of rules, but rather a celebration of creative strategies to solve real-world problems. To facilitate a productive disposition among my mathematicians, it is imperative that students feel safe to ask questions and make mistakes. Therefore, building relationships with and among students is not only the most enjoyable, but the most important part of my job! I have always been very passionate about mathematics and am continuously looking for more ways to inspire this passion in my students. Let me know what you do to inspire your students - connect with me on twitter @sheptoski.
School Improvement Unveils Its Redesigned Website!
This week, the Office of School Improvement has launched a redesigned website to ease identifying and accessing the resources available for districts and schools. These resources include a series of trainings to help schools and districts conduct comprehensive needs assessments and develop high-quality school improvement plans. Visitors can view recordings of these trainings online. The trainings can be downloaded to incorporate in district or school-based presentations. These resources have been developed with the needs of Comprehensive Support and Improvement and Targeted Support and Improvement schools in mind. The resources are grounded in best practices for continuous school improvement applicable for all schools.
Supports from Assessment
Your IDOE Mathematics Team
Robin Conti
Email: rconti@doe.in.gov
Website: doe.in.gov
Location: Indiana Department of Education
Phone: (317)-233-6098
Twitter: @RobinLConti
Beau Scott
Email: jscott3@doe.in.us
Website: doe.in.gov
Location: Indiana Department of Education, West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN, USA
Phone: (317)-232-9142
Twitter: @NerdCoreTeacher