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This module explores the critical areas in mathematics education for grades K-8, highlighting key concepts, evidence of understanding, misconceptions, and teaching challenges. Participants will understand how the critical areas inform curriculum and guide instruction.
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Module 1:A Closer Look at the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics K–8 Session 1: Exploring the Critical Areas
Expected Outcomes • Understand that the critical areas describe key mathematical concepts for students to learn at each grade level. • Identify that the critical areas are designed to bring focus to the standards at each grade level. • Consider how the critical areas can be used to inform curriculum and guide instruction.
The Instructional Core Principle #1: Increases in student learning occur only as a consequence of improvements in the level of content, teachers’ knowledge and skill, and student engagement. Principle #2: If you change one element of the instructional core, you have to change the other two. Richard Elmore, Ph.D., Harvard Graduate School of Education
Organizational Elements CULTURE STRUCTURES POLICIES, PROCESSES & PROCEDURES STAKEHOLDERS RESOURCES HUMAN, MATERIAL, MONEY Adapted from the Public Education Leadership Project at Harvard University
For each grade level from kindergarten through grade 8, the Critical Areas outline the essential mathematical ideas for each grade level.
Exploring the Critical Areas • Identify at least one or two important mathematical concepts within this critical area. What do students need to learn prior to these concepts? How do these concepts support learning in later grades? • What evidence would convince you that a student understands these concepts? • What common misconceptions do students have when studying this critical area? What challenges have you had in teaching these critical area concepts?
Whole Group Discussion • How do the mathematical concepts build from grade to grade? • What are the similarities in the types of evidence that would convince you that a student understands these ideas? • Are there common themes in student misconceptions and in challenges to teaching? • Compare the concepts in the critical areas with those that you are currently teaching. How are they similar? How are they different?
Expected Outcomes • Understand that the critical areas describe key mathematical concepts for students to learn at each grade level. • Identify that the critical areas are designed to bring focus to the standards at each grade level. • Consider how the critical areas can be used to inform curriculum and guide instruction.
Reflection • How do the critical areas help to bring focus to the standards at your grade level? • How will you use the critical areas to inform your curriculum and guide your instruction? • What questions do you still have about the critical areas? • How has this activity increased your understanding of the instructional core?