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Algebra 1 Intervention: Double Block Algebra

Algebra 1 Intervention: Double Block Algebra. David M. Richards, Ph.D., Principal Scott Ladson, Math Dept. Chair Amy Jager, Math Teacher Kyle Ray, Math Teacher Fraser High School MASA Fall 2008 Conference “Reimagining Today, Reinventing Tomorrow”. Who’s Fraser ?.

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Algebra 1 Intervention: Double Block Algebra

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  1. Algebra 1 Intervention:Double Block Algebra David M. Richards, Ph.D., Principal Scott Ladson, Math Dept. Chair Amy Jager, Math Teacher Kyle Ray, Math Teacher Fraser High School MASA Fall 2008 Conference “Reimagining Today, Reinventing Tomorrow”

  2. Who’sFraser? • NE Detroit suburb 5,000 students • 1 hs (1,700) 1 middle, 6 elem • 20% F&R, 12% minority • What We Do Well: An all A district Academics Arts Activities Athletics

  3. Are you satisfied with your Algebra 1 curriculum and results? (We weren’t…)

  4. Why did we need a change? • Previous courses weren’t meeting everyone’s needs • State Law (Alg, Geo, Alg 2, senior math) • State mandated Algebra 1 curriculum more than we had ever taught in Algebra 1 before • County-wide (and school-wide) failure rate of 28%

  5. Creating a climate of urgency

  6. Things to Consider:Where do you focus and how? • Targeted Students • Format • Curriculum & Documents • Teachers • Expectations • Technology

  7. Initial Targeted Students: 60 At-Risk students who: • Failed the 7th and 8th grade MEAP’s • Failed a placement test based on the 7th grade GLCE’s • http://mathassessments.mscenters.org • 34 MC questions, calculators allowed, 45 minutes • Were teacher recommended (as much as possible)

  8. Possible Formats: • Reformat schedule with 60 minutes daily for Math, English and Science • Add an after school class to supplement Algebra 1 • Add a support class that pulls together students from various classes. • Schedule a Double Block Algebra • 90-minutes every day • Same students, no changes at semester • Small size – maximum 20 • Same teacher

  9. Curriculum & Documents: • Implementing the Algebra 1 Units from Macomb ISD • Taught in units that make sense to the students • Builds upon what they’ve learned • Not skills in isolation, but in context • Problem solving built in (WorkKeys) • Hands-on whenever possible (techy)… • Common & Aligned lessons and assessments written hand-in-hand with HSCE’s • HSCE-based activities

  10. Teachers: • Who • Believe that it is possible for all students to succeed • Are willing to go far beyond what should be expected of them • Are open-minded and able to adapt at a moment’s notice • Have no other life ;-) • Were trained: • MISD Implementing Algebra 1 Units • Texas Instruments International Conference • Dynamic Classroom Assessment • MISD Math Tech Day • MCTM, DACTM conferences

  11. Expectations: • High (Need anymore be said?)

  12. Technology: • Why is this important? • What: • TI-84’s – graphing calculators • Promethean Boards (now activotes too!) • Smartview (computer based TI-84) • CBR 2’s (Motion Detectors) • Fathom Software (for data analysis) • TI-Navigator (to wirelessly link the TI-84’s) • Data Projectors

  13. Direct Results: • 81% passing rate in the Double Block vs. 73% passing rate in county and in school • Realize that most, if not all, of the Double Block students would have failed in the regular class… • Better student understanding of Algebra 1 curriculum • Hopefully to be carried over to Algebra 2 and the MME! • Better attitude towards math (“Can do” attitude) • Feelings of success and accomplishment for all involved. • Program expanded to 140 students for 2008-2009 (7 classes vs. 3 classes)

  14. Indirect Results: • Traditional Algebra teachers decided to follow the ISD Implementing Algebra curriculum to a lesser extent • Teachers really looking at curriculum/HSCE’s • Making better connections • Not teaching facts in isolation, but as a thematic unit • 12 out of 13 teachers volunteering to attend 8 day training this past summer • Smarter tech use in dept. • Already restructuring the Alg 2 curriculum

  15. Downsides: • Time (200+ hours and counting so far :-) • Met on a week-by-week basis to develop the curriculum (not lesson plan) • Web searches for, and rewrites of, existing activities • Curriculum no longer in our texts • MISD Implementing Algebra 1 Units is a framework, not a fully developed curriculum • Beware the dumping ground… • Training on tech/curriculum

  16. SummaryWhere we focused: • Targeted Students: who would not have been successful with our typical Algebra 1 • Format: Increased classroom time to 90 minutes everyday, same students • Curriculum & Documents: Algebra 1 Units and common/aligned lessons & assessments • Teachers: Dedicated, Willing, Believing • Expectations: HIGH • Technology: Smarter and more tech usage

  17. Contact Us: • David.Richards@FraserK12.org • Scott.Ladson@FraserK12.org • Amy.Jager@FraserK12.org • Kyle.Ray@FraserK12.org

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