Two Great Days of Learning!

Thursday and Friday were our elementary teacher inservice days.  These days allowed our teachers to continue on their learning journey in mathematics with our wonderful professional developers - Shelly, Carrie and Dan.  At this point working with the resources, teachers always have many questions.  This training came at the perfect time and allowed all of the questions to be answered, support to be provided, and time to look ahead at what is coming next.  Our learning journey will continue in November, when our grade levels will come together again to work with Shelly.  Two - very worthwhile days were had by all!

Importance of Place Value!

Many skills are critical to mathematics success in elementary school.  The understanding of numbers, number sense and place value are huge!  We spoke a bit about the importance of place value at our recent Math Parent University Night last week, so I thought I would add a little to the blog about place value and its importance.

Place value is the system of writing numerals in which the value of the digit is determined by its position, or relationship to other digits.  These values are multiples of a common base of 10 in our decimal system.  In Singapore, place value is considered a foundational skill for all mathematical learning.

Source
Article:  Place Value in Math In Focus

DIY Place Value Mats  - Yes, you too can make a place value mat to work with your child at home!  Easy project, fun and useful.  Visit Lindsey's blog for directions to make this cute and useful resource!  Remember the concrete to pictorial to abstract?  This would be a concrete task.

Great Turnout at Math Parent University Night!

Thanks to those who attended our second Math Parent University Night.  We had about 30 people in attendance, and enjoyed a wonderful evening of mathematics.  Our focus for the evening...  mental math and bar modeling.

To learn more, visit the links below!  Again, thanks for joining us for a mathematical evening...

BAR MODELING

MENTAL MATH - VIDEO

Elementary Math Parent University Night - WEDNESDAY!

Just a reminder that our second math night is approaching...  Mark your calendars for Wednesday, September 26, 2012!  Come join in a fun evening of mathematics!

When:  Wednesday, 9/26/12, 6:30-7:30pm
Where:  Dzantik'i Heeni Middle School - Commons

Part Part Whole Relationships

Part part whole relationships involve seeing numbers as being made of two or more parts.    Researchers say this is a major conceptual achievement of the early years.  It has been shown to increase understanding of place value, number concepts and help students unravel word problems.  Math In Focus uses this approach in the early grades.  Children start with concrete objects, then move on to pictorial representations, then on to abstract.  Students in grade one begin working with number bonds to develop that strong understanding.

Our First Math Parent University Night!

We had our first Math Parent University evening on August 28, 2012 at DHMS.  Over eighty of our JSD parents were in attendance!  It was a fantastic evening and provided our parents with a basic overview of what to expect in the classroom, and how to support their children at home.

Our next parent event is scheduled for later in September!  We are excited to host more parents as we dig more deeply into Math In Focus.

NEXT PARENT UNIVERSITY NIGHT!!!
MATH PARENT UNIVERSITY NIGHT - Mark your calendar!

Wednesday, September 26, 2012, 6:30pm-7:30pm

Location:  DHMS COMMONS

Math In Focus: Study shows over triple the average growth for a school system in New Jersey

Old Bridge, New Jersey began the implementation of Math in Focus about 6 months before Warsaw. A control group of students grew 3.5 points while the Math in Focus students grew 12.4 points.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/41133976

Study Finds Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's Singapore Math Program Raises Student Achievement in the U.S. Students in New Jersey more than triple average gains when utilizing Math in Focus: Singapore Math by Marshall Cavendish
Business Wire
| 18 Jan 2011 | 10:00 AM ET
BOSTON, Jan 18, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Global education leader Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) today announced the results of a study that praises the effectiveness of Math in Focus, the U.S. Edition of Singapore's most widely used program, exclusively provided in the U.S. by HMH. Test scores of Math in Focus students improved by an average of 12.4 points from year to year, more than three times the average improvement that occurred across the remaining students in the comparison group. The results serve as evidence that the program works in the U.S., as local students are also benefitting from the internationally acclaimed program.

At the onset of the 2009-2010 academic year, school administrators in Old Bridge, New Jersey began piloting the Math in Focus program in hopes that it would help boost students' overall aptitude in math. In December 2010, independent evaluation firm Educational Research Institute of America (ERIA) conducted a study on the instructional effectiveness of the Math in Focus pilot program, which yielded significant results.

ERIA reviewed students' mathematics scores from the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (ASK) in order to determine the effect of the program on standardized test scores and overall competency. Analysis of data showed implementing Math in Focus to fourth graders was associated with a significant increase in student math performance. When ERIA compared students' 2009 NJ ASK scores, researchers found no difference between students test scores prior to using the program. However, in 2010 when ERIA examined NJ ASK scores after one year of using Math in Focus, students exposed to the program had a 12.4 point increase in average test performance while the rest of the students in the district only increased by 3.5 points.

"This study is the proof in the pudding that Math in Focus is working for our students," said Donna Kibbler, Director of Elementary Education in Old Bridge, NJ. "Partnering with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for professional development has allowed our teachers to move from being just comfortable teaching math to reaching a new level of confidence in their math teaching ability. The students, teachers, and parents in our district truly see the benefits of Singapore math." Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, the exclusive provider of Math in Focus to the United States, first introduced the program in April 2009. It is the U.S. version of Singapore's most widely used program, My Pals Are Here! Maths for K--5, which offers an intuitive progression of instructions that focus on fewer topics in greater depth to allow students to gain a better understanding of critical math topics. HMH is now working with Marshall Cavendish-Singapore to extend the series to grades 6-8 available in Fall 2011 and 2012.

"We are very pleased to have validated what educators around the world have been telling us," said Mike Lavelle, President, HMH Education Group. "Programs such as Math in Focus take proven methods and implement them into classrooms. These methods have a considerable, measureable effect on students' learning capabilities, and help prepare them to thrive in the 21st century." Math in Focus: Singapore Math by Marshall Cavendish is a partnership between Marshall Cavendish Education-Singapore and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. To learn more about Math in Focus, visit www.hmheducation.com/mathinfocus.

STUDY RESULTS

What is MODEL DRAWING?

Beginning in grade two, children will learn model drawing.  This is a strategy we teach to assist in problem solving and is used at all grade levels from grade two on.  In learning with a model approach, students create diagrams to represent problems/concepts with bars.  Drawing these models help students to visualize strategies, making algebraic concepts more concrete.  Model drawing can help children solve simple and complex word problems, develop algebraic thinking, help students visualize the part-whole structure of the problem, develop students' operational sense, and foster proportional reasoning.  (Source:  MIF Research Base)

To learn more about Model Drawing, visit WHAT IS MODEL DRAWING.

What will Math in Focus look like in the classroom?

Math in Focus is aligned with Common Core State Standards, the new more rigorous standards we are working to meet to ensure our children are competitive both nationally and internationally.

What will you see in the classroom?

Focused Work and Mastery!  Math in Focus introduces fewer topics in each grade, but teaches them deeply and to mastery.  In the past, we have introduced many topics, but have not had the opportunity to go in depth, and ensure our students truly understand concepts to mastery.

Visual and Balanced Approach!  Math in Focus is highly visual, following a concrete-to-pictorial-to-abstract progression.

Focus on Number and Operations!  Math in Focus is sequenced in a way that ensures students develop a strong number sense.  Students spend much of the first half of the year studying number.  This is necessary to move on to more complex and abstract thinking.


Problem Solving Using Model-Drawing!  The Singapore approach utilizes model-drawing strategies to help students solve problems.  The problems utilized in Math in Focus are high quality and complex in nature.

Importance of Attitudes and Metacognition!  The Singapore approach emphasizes the importance of attitude, and the ability to self-monitor while problem solving to achieve success in math.  Students will be learning about perseverance as well!  We know they can spend endless hours on certain things (like video games), so let's build stamina in math as well.  We want our children to be able to think and problem solve - a life skill!


Source:  Singapore Math Curriculum Information

What is a Ten Frame?

Definition:  A array of squares used to teach counting, number relationships and computation.  (Mathatube.com, Math Glossary)

Here is an example of a ten frame.  This is an array of equal spaces aligned in two rows of five.  The ten frame supports the concrete and visual understanding of a base-ten number system.  It is used in the primary grades to develop a thorough understanding of ten.

Building Ten Frame Background  (video of a young child working with a ten frame)

Interactive Game Using Ten Frames

Problem Solving is at the Core!

The Singapore Ministry of Education uses a graphic to represent their vision for mathematics teaching:  a pentagon, with problem solving at the center.  You will see five interdependent, yet necessary elements surrounding it.

• Processes - Thinking skills
• Concepts - Numerical, Geometrical, Algebraic, Statistical
• Skills - Estimation/Approximation; Mental calculation; Communication; Use of mathematical tools; Arithmetic manipulation; Algebraic manipulation; Handling data
• Attitudes - Confidence and Perseverance, Interest and Appreciation
• Metacognition - Monitoring one's thinking

Students are encouraged to consider how they think, how they communicate, and how they solve problems, so they can apply their skills to subsequent problems.  

Problem Solving in Singapore Math (video)

Source:  Singapore Mathematics Framework

Why Singapore?

In 2007, thirty-six countries participated in the TIMSS, Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study.  The table on the left below shows the average mathematics scale scores of fourth grade students, by country, from the 2007 TIMSS.  The table on the right shows the 2003 results.  Since 1995, Singapore is either at the top, or near the top.  They have earned a reputation for long standing achievement in education.  Think back to the Olympics over the summer...  when the Singapore athletes entered they were introduced as being the top nation in math and science.
   2007 - Fourth Grade Students                   2003 - Fourth Grade Students                            

    

          

       

Math Anyone?

This blog is the newest development in our efforts to grow strong mathematicians in the Juneau School District.  As you know, last year elementary teachers and administrators worked together to focus on math.  We analyzed our achievement data, and knew our elementary students could do more.  We heard from teachers they needed ongoing professional development, and they needed materials to teach to the higher standards.  After careful analysis of a variety of programs, Math In Focus, the Singapore Approach, was selected as the choice by our teachers, principals and myself.

This year, our elementary teachers continue the journey into mathematics.  Already, we have trained one hundred elementary teachers!  ALL classroom teachers have had step one of the training.  Our next step comes at the end of September on inservice days.  Throughout the year, we will continue this focused work on mathematics with our teaching staff.  Our elementary instructional coaches will help teachers learn to implement these strategies in the classroom.

It is my sincere hope this blog will help you, parents and family members, support your child in becoming a mathematician.  Let's work together and have fun at the same time!  Thank you for investing your time to learn more about mathematics.

Patty Newman
Director of Teaching and Learning