Math Empowers 2
Middletown Township Public Schools
SECOND GRADE - 1ST QUARTER 2016-2017
Welcome to the New Oline Newsletter Format!
Middletown's Mathematics Intervention Program
"Why DreamBox?" you ask. There are many reasons why DreamBox stands out, above other, online math programs. First and foremost, is its revolutionary Intelligent Adaptive Learning™ technology, which individualizes instruction and provides different learning paths, depending on each student's needs. This individualized approach maximizes your students' time on task at their appropriate level. (A.K.A. Differentiation) While working on DreamBox, students will build conceptual understanding, close math gaps, build problem solving skills, increase achievement, and best of all, boost their mathematical confidence. The data collected by DreamBox during every lesson will help guide instruction and intervention. Finally, it's rigorous curriculum and an engaging game-like environment are mathematically incomparable to other programs. It's for these reasons, that DreamBox has been provided for all our K-5 students.
DREAMBOX HELPFUL HINTS
NEW!!! Assign Focus Feature
New on DreamBox... The Assign Focus feature allows teachers to assign a standard to specific students, a group of students or the whole class. FOR EXAMPLE: You are working on 2.NBT.A1 in class and you would like to assign that to your class. Before assigning, open the STANDARDS tab and select GRADE 1 standards, GROUPING view. You may notice that some, or most of your class has not even started 1.NBT.A1. Those students should be assigned the grade 1 standard first.
Students will see the blue calendar icon when they log on, indicating they have a specific assignment. Be sure to tell your students to complete those activities first.
You can assign two lessons at a time for a period of 7 days and you can view the assignments to see if the standard was met or not. For more information on how to utilize this feature, please see the link below and/or contact your math specialist.
The Key To DreamBox Success is LESSON COMPLETION!
"Lessons must be completed once started in order for the Intelligent Adaptive Learning™ technology to accurately introduce next best lessons for your student. If your student closes or exits the browser without completing a lesson, DreamBox cannot collect their learning data. The student will need to redo the entire lesson." ~ DreamBox Best Practices.
Check to see who in your class is finishing lessons and mastering standards. If you have students who are often unable to finish lessons, DreamBox will be extremely slow to adapt to their needs. They must finish the lessons they start in order to get the benefit of this dynamic, adaptive resource. Remember, it is important that students have approximately 10 minutes at a time to complete a DreamBox session.
Headphones = FOCUS
How is this Accomplished?
The attached post includes a terrific sample of a teacher modeling her mathematical thinking in front of her class. The students are not asked any questions at this THINK ALOUD. They simply observe. I encourage you to read Modeling Mathematical Thinking and THINK ALOUD in front of your students.
Help your students make sense of math.
Thank You for Reading!
Valerie DeMatteo
Elementary Mathematics Specialist
Harmony Elementary School
Math Empowers - Grade 2 Representative
Email: dematteov@middletownk12.org
Twitter: @val_dematteo