Spotlight on High-Leverage Practice 12: Systemically Design Instruction Toward a Specific Learning Goal Systemically designing instruction, at its heart, focuses on choosing what to teach, when to teach it, and how to teach (Council for Exceptional Children, 2019). Three critical elements of systemically designing instruction are: Setting clear instructional goals Logical sequencing of knowledge and… Read More Unpacking Standards to Get to the Heart of Instruction
Spotlight on High-Leverage Practice 14: Teaching Cognitive and Metacognitive Strategies to Support Learning and Independence in Mathematics
Solving problems in context, also known as word problems or practical problems, is a challenge for students, especially students with disabilities. This is often because solving word problems requires students to read and understand the problem, identify relevant information, choose an appropriate strategy, solve the problem correctly, and ensure that the answer makes sense (Iris… Read More Spotlight on High-Leverage Practice 14: Teaching Cognitive and Metacognitive Strategies to Support Learning and Independence in Mathematics
Online Math Professional Development Opportunities
Mathematical Mindsets This course, developed by Stanford Mathematics Professor Jo Boaler, unpacks the use of a Growth Mindset teaching approach for mathematics. Throughout the course, Jo Boaler demonstrates the use of Growth Mindset strategies by giving a group of middle school students new knowledge of the brain, mindset, and mathematics. The course consists of short… Read More Online Math Professional Development Opportunities
Promoting Equity in Math through Classroom Discourse
The 2018 VDOE Mathematics SOL Institutes highlighted the importance of strengthening the teaching and learning of mathematics through facilitating meaningful mathematical discourse. Why Discourse? Mathematical conversations and discourse among students, at all grade and ability levels, helps build a shared understanding of mathematical ideas (NCTM, 2014). Meaningful discourse supports metacognition and teaches students how to… Read More Promoting Equity in Math through Classroom Discourse
New Math Resources from the VDOE
The 2016 Virginia Mathematics Standards of Learning are now fully implemented and will be assessed starting in Spring 2018. The VDOE has resources available to support implementation of the 2016 standards. 2016 Mathematics Curriculum Framework Documents Updated Standards of Learning and Curriculum Framework documents are available on the VDOE’s website. The updated curriculum documents include… Read More New Math Resources from the VDOE
How to Promote a Positive Math Culture at Your School
School leaders play an integral role in setting the stage for a positive, inclusive mathematics learning environment. Here are five ways that administrators can promote a math-positive culture: 1. Recognize and Support Effective Math Teaching In a school with a high-quality mathematics program, every student has the opportunity to learn challenging, worthwhile, engaging, and relevant mathematics (Seeley,… Read More How to Promote a Positive Math Culture at Your School
Math Resources for Administrators
There are many books in the T-TAC ODU Lending Library that are excellent resources for administrators seeking to promote mathematical best practices in their schools. Here are a few new math resources that are available: What Principals Need to Know About Teaching and Learning Mathematics This must-have resource offers a knowledge base to improve mathematics… Read More Math Resources for Administrators