The team effort of our teachers, principals, math coaches, instructional specialists and coordinators has moved the math achievement of our students forward. They have transformed our math classrooms into ones where students are engaged learners of math.
C-FB ISD math classrooms may not be the same type of classrooms that you experienced as a student. They certainly aren't the ones I remember. In the past, when you visited a math classroom you might have seen the teacher standing in front of the class explaining a math concept. Once the teacher finished, the students quietly worked independently on problems relating to the concept.
Today's classrooms are much different. In fact, Ms. Smith and Ms. Garvey, along with our principals, math coaches and specialists and teachers, have been studying Classroom Discussions (elementary) and Promoting Discourse (secondary) to develop learning communities in our math program. Through these studies, we are learning that quiet classrooms where students are working independently, and teachers are the sole talker/questioner are not always the best learning situations.
We have found that as students explain math concepts or work together collaboratively, teachers can determine their level of understanding. We also know that by talking about "how you solved the problem," will help you remember the process. Because every student is ultimately responsible for his own learning, utilizing "talk" in math classrooms supports a student's individual learning more effectively. In today's classroom, talking in math class is positive. Not only we are finding that talking through math concepts is helping students with math, but we also learning these skills are helping with language and character development too. When time is so valuable, our teachers are using every minute they have to help our students learn at high rates.
In C-FB ISD, our bottom line is high achievement for all students. By our having students more directly involved in their learning, we are seeing significant achievement gains. We want more students taking higher level math courses. And, the development of positive attitudes toward math begins as early as pre-kindergarten as our teachers use quality math activities and communication tools in their classrooms.
We are developing mathematicians in our math classes in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch School District. After all, we believe in high achievement for all students in all subjects!
Fun Photos About Math:
Zero the Hero Visits McKamy for 100th Day of School
2010 District Math Competition
Davis Elementary Uses iPads
To watch the February 2, 2012 Student Achievement Presentation, click here: District Vimeo Channel Math Presentation 2-2-2012
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