What is Common Core Math? It is math instruction written from a Constructivist Theory. Every time educators sit down to write a curriculum, they must have a controlling set of ideas, a theory of teaching, that helps them decide what to include or exclude. For the Common Core Mathematics, that education theory is called Constructivist [...]
April 11, 2013
CCSS Career Connections: Guest Speaker in Mathematics?
“Tomorrow we will have a guest speaker.” Surely this statement must always be followed by the announcement of a guest lecture in History, an actor or singer for the Drama class, a local park ranger or chemical engineer for the Sciences, or a published author to speak to the Language Arts classes. “Our guest will [...]
March 21, 2013
Practical Math: CCSS CTE Classroom Tasks
Here’s a typical complaint from an algebra student: “Why do I need to know this stuff? I’ll never use it!” Keeping the math standards practical is necessary, but often difficult. Toward that end, Achieve, Inc. has provided a series of practical tasks and shown how they relate to real-world math skills in areas such as [...]
March 20, 2013
Rhode Island Adults: 60% Fail Math Test
In an interesting twist on high-stakes testing, students in Rhode Island asked politicians, businessmen and scientists to take the math portion of a high-stakes test. Today, they released the results and here is their press release. March 19, 2013 STUDENTS RELEASE “TAKE THE TEST” RESULTS – SUPER MAJORITY OF ACCOMPLISHED PROFESSIONALS SCORE BELOW DIPLOMA THRESHOLD [...]
March 14, 2013
CCSS Mathematics Classroom Shift #2: Coherence
Recently, as my colleagues and I have been planning instruction and assessment in PLCs, we’ve noticed something that needs to change. We have been teaching Mathematics like cleaning out the attic: one box at a time. When we get to the probability box, we open it up, pull out all our tools and tricks, then [...]
March 11, 2013
Common Core Math Curriculum Maps
CommonCore.org is best known for the CCSS ELA Curriculum Maps. Developed with grants from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the maps were free for a year, but are now only available as textbooks from Jossey-Bass. They are now participating with the New York Education Department to develop math curriculum maps. For now, they have [...]
March 6, 2013
CCSS Math: Sequential or Not?
The following is a great question from a reader and my attempt to answer it. Join the conversation by email (abfosEd@gmail.com) or on Twitter (@AbfosEd)! Question I have been reading everything I can get my hands on that has CCSS stamped on it. I have an aggravating issue that I just can’t find guidelines for. [...]
February 18, 2013
Bump Math Scores with Practice Testing: 5 Effective Teaching Strategies
Last week, we discussed five teaching strategies that are generally ineffective. This week, we’ll discuss five strategies which are highly or moderately effective. The CCSS bills itself as internationally benchmarked and based on current research. While it focuses on the content of the lesson, it says little about the actual teaching methods, wisely leaving the [...]
August 24, 2012
Know the Common Core Documents: Where to Download
When I taught a Common Core webinar this summer, I was surprised by one question: Where are the common core standards, where can I find them? The standards are a free download at CoreStandards.org. Bibliographic Information Authors: National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, Council of Chief State School Officers Title: Common Core State Standards [...]
June 20, 2012
CCSS Mathematics Classroom Shift #1: FOCUS
by Andrew Foster Twitter @abfosEd “A mile wide and an inch deep.” Ever heard this phrase referring to your state content standards? For many states, the first big shift in classroom instruction must be FOCUS. The current state standards are too numerous, too general, and often repetitive from grade to grade. Teachers and students are [...]
