Inside the Flipped Classroom

With the increased focus on problem solving in mathematics (as mandated by the Common Core), many secondary teachers have begun to look toward 'flipping' their classroom. In the flipped classroom, students spend daily homework time watching videos of their teacher's daily lecture - at home, outside of class time. Then, they spend class time doing exercises to practice their emerging skills and, most importantly, on problem solving. Because students spend class time working on exercises and solving problems, the teacher is able to help students trouble-shoot and guide them in developing the skill and the concepts behind the mathematics. Something they would normally have to work through on their own, or with a parent, at home.

Byron High School is one school in which the entire math department has made the switch - with some pretty impressive results in student achievement.

Check out The Flipped Classroom: Transforming Education at Byron High School to learn how they've done it.

What do your students know?

Marilyn Burns (Math Solutions) has been working for the past two years with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop the Math Reasoning Inventory (MRI). MRI is a online formative assessment tool.

It's now available, free of charge, to all teachers.

The goal of MRI is to help teachers find out what their students really understand about mathematics. MRI assesses students' numerical proficiency and asks questions that the Common Core expects all middle school students to answer successfully. A face-to-face interview is the core of MRI. And reasoning is the heart of MRI -- students solve most problems in their heads and always are asked to explain their strategies.

Information about the tool and how to sign up for a free account can be found on the MRI website. The website provides information about preparing to give MRI interviews and includes more than 80 video clips of actual interviews, samples of MRI reports, and the reasoning strategies students need to be numerically proficient.

For an introduction and overview of MRI, read the article Marilyn Burns posted about MRI in the Math Solutions Online Newsletter.

PD Opportunity: Problem solving and Persevering in Middle School Mathematics

• Does your department have a shared understanding of the FIRST Standard for Mathematical Practice: problem solving and perseverance?

• Do you know what to look for and expect from your students when they are engaged in this Practice Standard?
• Do you know how to support your students in learning to problem solve and persevere in mathematics?

If you answered ‘no’ to any of these questions, register to attend this two-day workshop to explore ways to successfully engage students in MAKING SENSE OF PROBLEMS AND PERSEVERING IN SOLVING THEM.

4/18/12 and 5/30/12

The Standards for Mathematical Practice outline the experiences and interactions ALL students should have with mathematics. In these two days, we will explore strategies for problem solving and persevering in depth. After developing a common understanding of what the practice standard LOOKS and SOUNDS like in classrooms, we will explore new resources that have been developed for teachers to assist you in implementing this signpost practice standard.

Each participant will receive 2 books. One relates to problem solving and the other relates to perseverance. We will use the books to explore strategies for supporting students in problem solving and perseverance.

REGISTER NOW. Space is limited to 50.

PD opportunity: Delta Math implementation support

This session is offered for current DELTA MATH users ONLY.

DELTA MATH Implementation Teams (administrators, team leaders, teachers, and instructors) will gather to plan for intervention instruction.

As an implementation team member, are you curious about:

• Finding DELTA MATH progress monitoring resources and how they can be organized?
• Using DELTA MATH progress monitoring resources to support the first day of intervention for each readiness standard?
• Recommendations for interventions based on DELTA MATH data?
• Planning for a 30-minute explicit intervention lesson?
• Finding resources for explicit lessons and targeted practice and how they can be organized?
• Scheduling systematic interventions based on DELTA MATH Data?

If so, make sure your team registers to attend.

After exploring each of the above questions, implementation teams will begin to plan for targeted intervention instruction using your own school’s data.

Visualizing how a population grows to 7 billion

The U.N. estimates that the world's population will pass the 7 billion mark TODAY. WOW! How do we even begin to visualize the size of the world's population when it gets this big?

Check out this video and supporting story from NPR's Adam Cole that helps us to visualize the size of our current world population.

How might we use this video in math classrooms? The video applies to

• rates of change
• proportional reasoning
• mathematical modeling

For high school students, the video presents several topics of potential study within mathematics. Not to mention that it makes lots of connections to social studies and world history.

Check it out now.

For more information...

As NPR's Adam Cole reports, it was just over two centuries ago that the global population was 1 billion — in 1804. But better medicine and improved agriculture resulted in higher life expectancy for children, dramatically increasing the world population, especially in the West.

As higher standards of living and better health care are reaching more parts of the world, the rates of fertility — and population growth — have started to slow down, though the population will continue to grow for the foreseeable future.

U.N. forecasts suggest the world population could hit a peak of 10.1 billion by 2100 before beginning to decline. But exact numbers are hard to come by — just small variations in fertility rates could mean a population of 15 billion by the end of the century.

Grades 6-8 Ratios and Proportional Reasoning Progression

Another learning progression has been released in draft form: Ratios and Proportional Reasoning in Grades 6-8. The Common Core authors have commented that this progression was particularly difficult to create because there is a lot of conflicting and confusing language about ratios and proportional reasoning out in the field. Because of the conflict, they struggled with decisions about the extent to which they should try to standardize the language. As a result, comments on this draft would be especially appreciated.

Ready, set, go! Implementing the CCSS-M this school year

If you've studied the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics' CONTENT STANDARDS, you've realized that transitioning to the CCSS-M will take more careful planning than simply 'flipping the switch' from the GLCE to the CCSS-M.
The Michigan Department of Education has released grade-level documents that identify grade-level gaps in switching from the GLCE to the CCSS-M. These documents clarify the extra content that each grade-level should teach to ensure all students are gap-free in their learning. Teachers only need to teach the extra content until students have come up through the grades under the CCSS-M.
In each document, each grade level has the CCSS organized by critical area, and with content shifts identified that need to be considered in the first year of full implementation of the CCSS.

Grant opportunity for Middle School Math

Engaging Students in Learning Mathematics Grants for Grades 6–8 Teachers

http://www.nctm.org/resources/content.aspx?id=1320

The purpose of this grant is to incorporate middle school classroom materials or lessons that actively engage students in tasks and experiences to deepen and connect their content knowledge.

For 2012-2013, grants with a maximum of $3,000 each will be awarded to persons currently teaching mathematics in grades 6–8. Materials may be in the form of books, visual displays, slide shows, videotapes, or other appropriate medium. Materials may not be calculators, computers, or related equipment. Although such equipment is essential in today’s classroom, this award is not intended to purchase such equipment.

The focus of these materials should be on showing the connectivity of mathematics to other fields or to the world around us. Proposals must address the following: one or more of the Content Standards: number and operations, geometry, measurement, algebra; plan for developing and evaluating materials; and the anticipated impact on students’ learning.

The applicant must be a current (as of October 14, 2011) Full Individual or E-Member of NCTM or teach at a school with a current (as of October 14, 2011) NCTM PreK–8 school membership and currently teach mathematics in grades 6–8 at least 50 percent of the school day.

Project activities are to be completed between June 1, 2012, and May 31, 2013. Past recipients of this grant are not eligible to reapply. No person(s) may receive more than one award administered by the Mathematics Education Trust in the same academic year.

Interested teachers are invited to submit a proposal.

The Common Core State Standards: UNPACKED!

North Carolina has kick-started their implementation of the CCSS-M by developing "unpacked" clarifying statements and task examples for every single math standard in grades K-12. Be sure to check out your grade level and take advantage of the wealth of instructional support these helpful documents provide.

• Kindergarten
• 1st Grade
• 2nd Grade
• 3rd Grade
• 4th Grade
• 5th Grade
• 6th Grade
• 7th Grade
• 8th Grade
• HS: Algebra
• HS: Functions
• HS: Geometry
• HS: Number & Quantity
• HS: Statistics & Probability

NEW RESOURCE: Common Core Math (and ELA)

Do you have summer curriculum work scheduled for Math or ELA?

Dreading the hours it will take to unpack the new standards into student-friendly "I can..." learning targets?

Help is here!

Align, Assess, Achieve has created The Common Core: Clarifying Expectations for Teachers and Students, a series of clarifying and reference guides which are especially helpful to teachers, administrators, and anyone involved with curriculum.

Each book

• Includes all Mathematics CCSS standards for the grade level/subject in one convenient 8½ x 5½ inches flip book


• Clarifies learning expectations for both teachers and students with suggested




• Enduring Understandings


• Essential Questions


• Learning Targets


• Vocabulary


• Connections to the mathematical practice standards
  


• Fosters quality formative and summative assessment, descriptive feedback, and student involvement.

The Common Core: Clarifying Expectations for Teachers & Students is a cost effective solution. Schools can save the time and money they would have spent unpacking and printing the Common Core State Standards.

ORDER NOW!

Expressions and Equations: Another Common Core Learning Progression Released

The Common Core State Standards in Mathematics were built on progressions: narrative documents describing the progression of a topic across a number of grade levels. These documents were spliced together and then sliced into grade level standards. The Progressions Project is organizing the writing of final versions of the progressions documents for the K–12 Common Core State Standards. The work will be undertaken by members of the original work team of the progressions and also by mathematicians and educators not involved in the initial writing.

JUST RELEASED! The second DRAFT version of a progression has been released: Expressions and Equations. The project organizers welcome your feedback. Expressions and Equations tracks how these concepts articulate through grades 6-8 mathematics under the Common Core

Why should we examine and use this document?

1. We can all move towards greater coherence and focus by planning units and assessments in vertical teams. So, now we have a tool that helps us to examine how mathematical topics progress. We can use this tool to help ensure that all of our students progress coherently through Number and Operations in Base Ten in all grades K-5.
2. This document is in draft form. The authors are asking for math-educator feedback and input on this document. Your feedback will be used to shape the final version of this document (a document that will be used in at least 44 states in the US). Leave your comments in the discussion thread at the site above.

Hey, what about us?
Currently The Progressions Project has initial drafts for progressions on Operations and Algebraic Thinking, Number and Operations in Base Ten, Fractions, Geometry, Measurement and Data, and Statistics and Probability, and is having these reviewed. Stay tuned to Minds-on-Mathematics for the announcement that that other drafts have been released.

Adventures with Mathematics: combating summer learning loss

Michigan Council of Teachers of Mathematics (MCTM) is continuing to work on a series of books titled Adventures with Mathematics, which provide students with short problems as well as hands-on activities for each grade level and are designed to minimize summer learning loss. The proceeds from the sales of the books will be used for the MCTM scholarship endowment fund to provide scholarships for future mathematics teachers.

They are in need of some more activities and short problems to help make this series a success. The following books are still in need of good problems and activities

• Kindergarten to Grade 1
• Grade 2 to Grade 3
• Grade 3 to Grade 4
• Grade 7 to Grade 8
• Grade 8 to Algebra 1
• Algebra 2 to Senior Mathematics

For a detailed list of which GLCE's and HSCE's still need problems and activities, visit F2010 Needs for Adventures with Mathematics books.pdf

If you are willing to help or have further questions, please contact either Char Beckmann at beckmannc21@aol.com or Jean Williams at jeanwms17@sbcglobal.net.

GVSU's Math Education Conference Announcement

2011 Concurrent Conferences on Mathematics Education

Math In Action: Strategies for Student Success

Conversations among Colleagues: Common Core Standards: Implications for Mathematics Education

8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Mackinac Hall
Allendale Campus
Grand Valley State University
Grand Rapids, MI

Conference Highlights

Math in Action
Math in Action is of interest to K–12 teachers of mathematics. The conference features five concurrent interactive sessions. During sessions, participants engage in hands-on activities they can use with their own students in learning mathematics. SB-CEUs will be available for most sessions.

Special this year, Math in Action will run concurrently with Conversations among Colleagues, a conference for college and university mathematics educators and mathematicians and K–12 mathematics teacher leaders and administrators. Jere Confrey (North Carolina State University) will present the purpose of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), their implications, and questions raised. Zalman Usiskin (University of Chicago), will present a curriculum developer’s view of the CCSS. Sessions throughout the day will highlight learning trajectories for whole number (Sybilla Beckmann, University of Georgia), fractions (Jere Confrey), measurement (Jack Smith, Michigan State University), algebra (Lisa Kasmer, GVSU and Jill Newton, Purdue University), and geometry (Christian Hirsch and Alden Edson, Western Michigan University), with examples for specific grade levels and implications for the surrounding grades. Mary Bouck will also present formative assessment with respect to the CCSS.

Conference fees are $35 for professors and administrators, $30 for teachers, $20 for graduate students, and $15 for undergraduate students.

Participants may choose sessions from both conferences.

Conference program is now available here.

Questions
For further information, please email conference co-chairs Charlene Beckmann at beckmannc21@aol.com or Karen Novotny at novotnka@gvsu.edu.

GLCE-Common Core Crosswalks RELEASED

Just released!!

Michigan Council of Teachers of Mathematics (MCTM) has posted the DRAFT crosswalks that compare the Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations to the Common Core State Standards for Math. Schools and districts should use these tools as you begin conversations in your district around transitioning to the Common Core State Standards.

There are two forms for every grade K-8. Both forms indicate which content "remains the same" and which content is "moving in" and "moving out" of a grade. However, the longer form shows where that content is from or is going.

Posting these draft documents is a service provided by MCTM. Please support YOUR professional organization by becoming a member today!

Stay tuned for the high school crosswalks.

Algebra 4 All: Making it possible with Algebra Tiles

How can we teach for understanding to help meet the goal of successful algebra learning for all students? One way to teach for understanding is to use concrete models to introduce algebraic concepts. One type of concrete model that has had tremendous success in teaching Algebra for understanding is the algebra tile. Algebra tiles can be used to add, subtract, and multiply integers, model and simplify algebraic expressions, model and apply the distributive property, solve linear equations, multiply polynomials, factor both integers and quadratics, and complete the square.

This two-day workshop series will focus on teachers gaining experience and understanding in using algebra tiles to model, manipulate, and solve algebraic expressions. Teachers will also have time to incorporate the use of algebra tiles into their lesson, unit, and assessment plans. This exploration and development will be focused through a careful study and analysis of the HSCE, GLCE, and Common Core State Standards that call for and are supported by the use of concrete models like algebra tiles. This series supports a functions-based approach to Algebra.

Note: To register for this series, you must have completed the pre-requisite workshop: Using Tiles to Understand Mathematical Operations.

Register now for Algebra 4 All

RtI Intervention Program for K-8 Mathematics

Curious about implementing RtI for K-8 math? In search of MI-aligned resources? Come to this free informational session to learn about Delta Math

Response to Intervention (RtI) in elementary and middle schools, when implemented with fidelity, helps educators to ensure that all students are successful. The Ottawa Area ISD has piloted the DELTA MATH RtI Program in grades 1 through 8 and will be describing and demonstrating the program in this half-day session. Interested school teams consisting of teachers, instructional leaders, and administrators should attend to explore this low-cost program. The DELTA MATH RtI Program provides web-based screeners, customized data reports, guided reviews, and progress monitoring. Join us to discover how schools throughout Michigan are currently using this program to gather actionable data to meet the needs of all learners.
December 7, 2010 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Kalamazoo RESA
presented by Michael Klavon, Ottawa Area ISD

Registration required. Register NOW - space is filling quickly