Memorizers are the lowest achievers and other Common Core math surprises

It’s time to debunk the myths about who is good in math, and Common Core state standards move us toward this worthy goal. Mathematics and technology leaders support the standards because they are rooted in the new brain and learning sciences.
All children are different in their thinking, strength and interests. Mathematics classes of the past decade have valued one type of math learner, one who can memorize well and calculate fast.
Yet data from the 13 million students who took PISA tests showed that the lowest achieving students worldwide were those who used a memorization strategy – those who thought of math as a set of methods to remember and who approached math by trying to memorize steps. The highest achieving students were those who thought of math as a set of connected, big ideas.
The U.S. has more memorizers than most other countries in the world. Perhaps not surprisingly as math teachers, ...

...read more from Jo Boaler's Op Ed in The Hechinger Report.

PD opportunity: 2015 KRESA Administrator Academy

Click the flyer to download full Administrator Academy details When: June 16-17, 2015 | 8:00am-9:00pm Where: John E. Fetzer Center, 2350 Business Court, Kalamazoo, MI Registration Fee: Consortium: $250 | Non-Consortium: $400 (Fee includes light breakfast, lunch and dinner both days) Credits: 50 SCECHs or 2 WMU graduate credits available (CHs fee $15 | grad credit @ WMU tuition rate) Presenters: Dr. Kevin Feldman, Emeritus Director of Reading and Intervention with the Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) Lisa Swem, Attorney with Thrun Law Firm, P.C., specializing in school, labor and employment law Wendy Zdeb-Roper, Executive Director of the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP) Dr. Grant Chandler, Dean of the Arcadia Commons Campus of Kalamazoo Valley Community College and the Director of KVCC's Center for New Media ** Deadline June 9 **

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NCTM and Hunt Institute Math Video Series

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the Hunt Institute have produced a series of videos to enhance understanding of the mathematics that students need to succeed in college, life, and careers. The series also covers the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) Standards for Mathematical Practice and examines why developing conceptual understanding requires a different approach to teaching and learning. You will also find a useful video for parents wishing to support their child’s mathematics learning. Please view the videos on the NCTM Teaching and Learning Mathematics with the Common Core Web page. 

• Building Conceptual Understanding for Mathematics  
• Mathematics in the Early Grades  
• Developing Mathematical Skills in Upper Elementary Grades  
• Mathematical Foundations for Success in Algebra  
• Preparation for Higher Level Mathematics  
• Standards for Mathematical Practice  
• Parents Supporting Mathematics Learning