crafting an engaging math professional learning community
DESCRIPTION
Professional Learning Communities provide a strong framework for professional learning that can directly impact classroom instruction. This presentation shares the work of a PLC at Hilliard Horizon Elementary. The PLC uses a cycle of learning that identified areas of refinement for student learning. This resulted in the production of a math communication rubric that was written in student-friendly language and shared with the school district.TRANSCRIPT
Crafting an Engaging Math PLC
Jodi Bates, Herb Higginbotham, Andrea Kaufmann, Ann Richards, and
Britanie Risner
Hilliard City Schools
Reviewing Common Assessment Data
● Reviewed OAA Item Analysis
● Recognized a skill students needed to strengthen
● Decided to focus on strengthening communication of math thinking
Example of Data:
4th Grade 2010 OAA Number Sense Extended Response
0 points: 26%
1 point: 14%
2 points: 18%
3 points: 18%
4 points: 24%
Example of common
assessment to measure
communication skill of students
We noticed our students
struggled to “justify” thinking.
Realized students didn’t know what to do to “explain”
thinking
“Look Fors” in a High Quality Math Elementary Classroom
Instructional Best Practices in Math
List of Gathered Resources
● Math Coach
● The Math Process Standards Series: Introduction to Communication
● NCTM & Illuminations● Exemplars
The Math Process Standards Series 5
Books● Each book has its
own editable CD-ROM that includes 50+ pages of ready-to-use classroom resources
Rubric Creation
● After using common assessment, we realized we did not have a common language among ourselves to gauge how students performed
● Realized we needed an assessment rubric for students and teachers
● Gathered variety of examples
● Gathered variety of examples
OAA Rubric
?
Consolidated into one, kid-friendly rubric
Used 3-2-1 scale to reflect district
progress report
indicators
Student Sample
Student’s Rubric
Sharing and Reflecting
Benefits
● Students’ math communication improved
● Increased students’ confidence
● Used anchor charts for math
● Authentic problems
● Developed usable rubric
● Common language
● Collaborated across grade levels
● Students observed examples of peers outside of homeroom
Struggles
● Scheduling
● Spent larger amount of time on one concept
● Lack of exposure to communication math thinking
● Variety of ability levels
● Students not using efficient strategies
Why it worked…
● Student-centered● Teacher-centered● Terrific leadership● Data-driven● Collaborative effort across grade levels● Wealth of time for meeting● Abundance of resources● Supportive administrator
Resources & References
● The Math Process Standards Series (Heinemann)○ www.heinemann.com/products/E01273.aspx
● National Council of Teachers of Mathematics ○ www.nctm.org
● Illuminations○ illuminations.nctm.org
● Exemplars Standard-based Assessment○ www.exemplars.com