A R E A S C H O O L D I S T R I C T

Corning Painted Post

MathematicsIn Our

Elementary Schools

www.corningareaschools.com

Rigor + Relevance + Relationships = Educational Excellence

Corning-Painted Post Area School District165 Charles StreetPainted Post, NY 14870607-936-3704www.corningareaschools.com

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Educational Excellence and Math in Our Elementary Schools

Content Topics

Number Sense & Operations

Algebra

Geometry

Measurement

Statistics & Probability

Math Processes

Problem Solving

Reasoning & Proof

Communication

Connection

Representation

What Elementary Students Learn in MathChildren in Elementary School learn Math by studying both topics and processes.

To be successful in school, it is crucial that elementary students master the fundamental skills they will build on as they progress through the grades. That is why the Corning-Painted Post Area School District takes every possible opportunity to ensure that all students in C-PP schools receive excellent curriculum and instruction in every subject.

Our Math cirriculum for 2009 - 2010 is made up of two distinct programs first researched and separately piloted during the 2007 - 2008 school year. Both programs showed such promise with our students we decided to implement both - one as our core instruction phased in fall 2008, and the other as complementary activities introduced fall 2009. Scott Foresman’s enVision MathTM is the core program we began using fall 2008. The program incorporates both explicit teaching methods and inquiry-based activities.

Though a big change, both teachers and students enthusiastically embraced the program - and it shows. Our scores on the NWEA Measures of Academic Progress Standardized tests were up markedly from fall 2008 to spring 2009. The energy level in our Math classes is up as well, as students and teachers alike are engaged in new ways.

For the 2009 - 2010 school year, the District is adding TERC’s Investigations®, an inquiry-based program in which students learn by discovery through a workshop approach. Through this exploratory model, students will be encouraged to develop their own ideas and focus on problem-solving skills more than procedural operations.

By combining both of these approaches to create our math cirriculum, C-PP schools will expose children to the very important idea that there are many different and beneficial ways to approach learning!

C-PP’s Vision for Educational Excellence

VisionThe C-PP Area School District is a model school district for creating a new equation for educational excellence.

MissionThrough excellent leadership and teaching in a collaborative environment, we will provide the educational opportunities to ensure all students have the skills to be productive, responsible adults and contributing citizens.

C-PP’s Learning Goals

Learning Goal #1 — RIGOR:All students will demonstrate mastery of the fundamental skills and competencies needed for success in a rapidly changing world.

Learning Goal #2 — RELEVANCE:All students will demonstrate readiness for adult roles by applying fundamental academic skills and competencies to personal, community and workplace settings.

Learning Goal #3 — RELATIONSHIPS:All students, parents and community will work together to create a positive, respectful environment that supports excellence in learning, teaching and leadership.

And be sure to visit the Elementary Math pages in the Educational Excellence

section of:www.corningareaschools.com

Why Two Math Programs?After hearing feedback from teachers who piloted the Investigations® and enVision Math™ programs in 2007 - 2008, it became clear to the Elementary Math Committee that both programs could complement one another to offer optimal benefits to C-PP students:

+ Two strong, research-based curricula; + Two programs equal twice the teacher training; + Classroom activities that introduce and reinforce skills in students of varying learning styles and abilities; and

+ Core and complementary activities that build skills students need to live up to expectations in middle and high school.

About enVision MathTM

enVision MathTM addresses our New York State Mathematics Standards in a visually stimulating, technology-rich and problem-solving format. Its features help children master Math concepts through textbooks, customized instruction, worksheets and interactive learning activities.

enVision™ Math Features

+ Problem-solving handbook teaches a range of strategies students can use to tackle different types of Math problems;

+ Visual “Learning Bridge” for each lesson illustrates abstract Math concepts;

+ Glossary of Math terms provides a ready reference for key definitions;

+ Guided and independent exercises give students practice in all Math processes;

+ Enrichment lessons stimulate student curiosity;

+ “Minds-on” learning activities reinforce lessons through interactive activities;

+ Math books and stories relate Math lessons to their use in the “real” world;

+ Letters sent home at the beginning of each unit communicate lesson topics to families;

+ Distinct teaching methods address needs of students of varying levels of ability;

+ Ongoing monitoring of student understanding helps teachers find and correct misconceptions early; and

+ Pacing guidelines give teachers a game plan for covering all of the lessons in time for state testing.

About Investigations®

Investigations® is an inquiry-based curriculum that helps students make sense of Math ideas and become mathematical thinkers through workshop-style problem-solving activities. Students develop a deep understanding of Math concepts through Investigations® exercises that emphasize analytical thinking and problem-solving processes.

Investigations® Features

+ Active engagement in all aspects of the lesson immerses students in mathematical thinking;

+ Manipulating objects helps students see and feel the problem and solution in a concrete way;

+ Through repeated activites and games students internalize Math facts naturally;

+ Daily practice in “mental Math” develops estimation and quick-calculation skills;

+ Drawing on their own creativity for problem-solving, students learn to justify their thinking;

+ Students compare and analyze strategies to build experience in thoughtful problem-solving;

+ Data collection and analysis activities build relevance between Math concepts and useful applications;

+ Visual patterning games build spatial relations and geometry sense; and

+ Letters sent home suggest ways families can reinforce Math learning.

Smart Facts! Research says that... + Teaching for understanding results in better performance that lasts longer; + Students benefit from seeing Math ideas portrayed pictorially; + Ongoing assessment prevents misconceptions and guides data-driven instruction; + It’s important to give all students access to the same content, but level the instruction based on how much support

different students need; and + Students learn better when they are interested in what they’re doing and engaged in activities with other students.

Helpful Websites for You

www.pearsonschool.comLearn more about both enVision Math™ and Investigations® at Pearson’s Web site.

www.mathsupportforparents.comClick on “Investigations K - 5” to see video clips from classrooms, research reports and hear from students.

http://investigations.terc.edu/TERC (Technical Educational Research Center) Web site with information on curriculum and Math content by grade level as well as program components.

www.pearsonsuccessnet.comOnline curriculum for teachers and students.

www.funbrain.comFun and educational activities for students.

www.matti.usa.edu/nlvm/nav/vlibrary.htmlOnline virtual manipulatives for Math practice.

www.figurethis.orgGreat interactive site with challenges.

What Does the New, Combined Program Mean for Students?As students were introduced to the new core program last fall, there were a number of immediate changes in how they were engaged, and ultimately how they learned.

+ Interactivity! Animated teaching modules, SmartBoards™, and an online Quiz Show are just a few of the hands-on components added to the classroom experience.

+ Fun! Teachers reported students are enjoying Math and asking to do it. The new programs provide online access both at school and at home.

+ Results! Scores on the NWEA Measures of Academic Progress standardized test were markedly up from fall 2008 to spring 2009

The addition of the second program this year will mean even more fun, educational and enriching Math experiences for our students.