Darien K-5 Math Curriculum

1. Darien K-5 Math Curriculum Update November2013

2. Outline • K-5 Math Curriculum & Instruction • Rationale for Our Path of Math Development

3. K-5 Math Curriculum & Instruction Develop basic concepts & skills while creating deep mathematical thinkers • Investigations–In Number, Data, and Space • Contexts for Learning Math Units • Math in the City Training –strings, math racks, math strategies • A Math Workshop Model

4. Rationale • Create learner-centered models of instruction, recognizing that students learn differently • Develop the capability of our teachers to understand students’ math thinking • Balance the learning of procedural skills and mathematical thinking • Adopt the research-based practices imbedded in the Math CCSS

5. National Shift in Math Focus Greater focus on standards of math practice • Make sense of problems & persevere in solving them. • Reason abstractly and quantitatively. • Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. • Model with mathematics. • Use appropriate tools strategically. • Attend to precision. • Look for and make use of structure. • Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

6. A Resource to Replace GWM After carefully reviewing math products and visiting sites that use them, our math team decided that Investigations in Number, Data, and Space would best serve the needs of Darien students. A number of staff members are familiar with Investigations, having used it in the past or piloted it recently. They believe it will be the best resource for Darien.

7. Investigations • The focus of Investigations is to engage students in making sense of mathematical ideas while teaching core concepts, skills, and strategies. • It provides teachers with a deeper knowledge and understanding of math to help them better understand and foster the thinking of their students.

8. Investigations • It utilizes a philosophy that is in line with the Context For Learning Math units that are already in place. • It employs visuals, representations, and materials that teachers already use to support math learning (arrays, open number lines, math racks, etc.)

9. Investigations-Activity • http://www.pearsonsuccessnet.com/snpapp/iText/products/0-328-25824-5/pdfs/resourcemaster/unit5/English/M26.pdf

10. Investigations • It aligns with the CCSS for Math and integrates the CCSS for Mathematical Practice into the learning process. • It provides units at each grade level that can be used to strengthen Darien's math curriculum and workshop model.

11. Investigations • It provides on-going formative and summative assessments to inform instruction. • It includes robust support for homework activities and parent communication about math learning in class.

12. Investigations-Assessment • http://www.pearsonsuccessnet.com/snpapp/iText/products/0-328-25824-5/pdfs/resourcemaster/unit5/English/M44.pdf

13. Investigations Parent Letter http://www.pearsonsuccessnet.com/snpapp/iText/products/0-328-25824-5/pdfs/resourcemaster/unit5/English/M37-M38.pdf

14. Implementation Plan • Using the CCSS in Math for a curriculum sequence, we have created grade level pacing guides that incorporate the use of available resources. • Developing specific unit guides that detail what to teach, how, and with what materials, homework, assessments, etc. • Training teachers for unit implementation.

15. Teachers • Teachers are enthusiastic about having an additional resource that is CCSS aligned in content and practice. • Like the ongoing and end-of-unit assessments. • Appreciate the homework and parent letters. • Plan on using the differentiated materials provided.

16. Conclusion • By using the Investigations and Contexts for Learning Mathematics as resources we are able to provide our students with learner centered instruction that is aligned with the CCSS.