Getting the Most from Your Mathematics Program: The Unit Workshop

A service offered by the VI Math Initiative

Overview

This program-specific service is designed to move Elementary and Middle schools toward "full-implementation" of their mathematics program. The Unit Workshop provides a detailed look at content and it's context within the "big picture" as it unfolds across the grades. Additionally, the Unit Workshop provides school staff with other program specific answers to the issues teachers face in maximizing the potential of a mathematics program. This professional development offering serves both as a learning opportunity for schools using standards-based curricula as well as being a model for ongoing embedded staff development. Additional modules for integrating and improving problem solving within the program, examining student work, and the use of games within a program are delivered as follow-up sessions. This workshop is also offered as a one credit option.

Content

Delivered in four modules, the Unit Workshop begins with a two-day session geared toward learning more about the content within the program. Schools can choose one of three content areas for focus: Algebraic Concepts, Probability and Statistics, or Geometry, and the program will be custom-designed to meet the needs of the school. As school staff experiences the content of the program, they begin to increase their understanding of the implications at their grade level. This deepening understanding improves the differentiation of instruction at grade level as participants see where students have come from in addition to where they will go next with the learning. This initial session also provides participants with an opportunity experience the model of in-depth program analysis that will be continued on a regular basis by the teaching staff in the individual schools.

Following the initial two-day session, follow-up sessions will be scheduled. A VISMT associate will attend a designated number of ongoing staff sessions to provide feedback to the group. Three half-day sessions to deliver the other three modules will also be scheduled.

The Second Module: Integrating and Improving Problem Solving Opportunities in your Mathematics Program provides a broadened definition of "Problem Solving" and gives staff an opportunity to work together to increase the Problem Solving potential of their mathematics program. Again, this session provides additional content for the ongoing staff-led sessions for which the VISMT associate can help to initiate.

The Third module: Looking at Student Work from Your Mathematics Program provides an opportunity for analyzing the participants own student work. Participants will discuss interpretations of student understanding based on their own classroom samples of student work, and learn how to make instructional decisions based on the information the student work provides. Other program-specific assessment options can be discussed during this session.

The final module: The Use of Games from your Mathematics Program gives participants an opportunity to see the value of games in the overall mathematics curriculum. Staff will strategize ways to best incorporate games, and discuss ways to maximize their potential in the classroom through teacher/student interaction.

This service can be provided at the Elementary or Middle School level for any of the six Standards-based curricula predominantly in use in Vermont (Everyday Math, Mathland, Investigations, Connected Math, Mathscape, Mathematics).

For more information, please e-mail Sheila Rivers, or call her at (802) 828-1319.

Service revised 3/15/02

Updated July 3, 2003