SCPA Math Update Meeting
January 22, 2012
Page 1 of 2
1. K-12 Review
High School
Heather – Middle and upper school Math Lab is now offered before school and at lunch. New expectation is that students will have 4 years of math, instead of 3 for graduation starting 2014. Minnesota does not allow high school credit to be given for Algebra 1. Teachers are strengthening the base of Algebra by offering Algebra 1 and Algebra 1 year two for students who are struggling with Algebra concepts. This should provide the best math foundation moving forward. Accelerated courses are offered to complete 3 years of math in 2 years. All students, at a minimum, will take
College Algebra or Pre- Calc. Algebra 2 is necessary to be successful on MCA in grade 11. U of MN expectation is 4 years of HS math.
Middle School
Algebra courses contain up to 3-4 grade levels of middle and high school students. 2 sections of Pre-Algebra and 2 sections of Algebra in 7 th , 8 th grade has 2 sections of
Algebra and 1 section of Geometry or Accelerated Geometry. CPM is utilized & it continues to be supplemented (often). CPM excels at justify their answers, explain and write in complete sentences. Math labs are run over lunch for about 30 students. Math labs occur in the am as well. Special attention has been given to vocabulary this year. Dave Engen has given each student has a yellow reference vocabulary reference. Story problems are tough for students. Warm ups are included at least 3 times a week. Graphing is also emphasized frequently. Middle school utilizes a scope and sequence for graphing 5-8. Students who need more support overall, seemed to perform better with graphing. Conversely, some students who perform higher did not perform as well on graphing. Michelle and
Maria in 3 sections teach 7/6 and 8/7 in Grade 5. Michelle is moving both sections into 8/7. 7/6-8/7 in Grade 6- 1 section (split into 3 diversified groups with ALECS used as a supplement to Saxon taught by Lindsey/ Dave McGree and Marie. Amy
Yetter has 2 sections of Grade 6 in 8/7- Pre-algebra. One section is starting Pre-
Algebra now. Problem solving continues to be a challenge. Teachers help break down the problems so students can be successful.
Lower School
All 4 th grade is doing Intermediate 5. The highest group will begin 7/6 in 3 weeks.
The new curriculum chunks concepts. We are also utilizing supplemental materials called “adapted” materials. There is also a “re-teach” book. The adapted materials provide more structure for students. We need to support the students in being critical thinkers. Grade 3 is teaching Intermediate 4. The new books offer excellent
Power Up (mental math & fact practice). Grade 3 is utilizing Rocket Math for fact practice. Reflex Math will be assigned as homework. Each night students have a

SCPA Math Update Meeting
January 22, 2012
Page 2 of 2 fact practice. Supplements are given and may look different from Saxon materials.
Special attention is given to process for solving word problems. Teachers are writing “practice warm ups.” Tests are adjusted so students take test taking strategies. Grade 2 – Moved from kit to text. Challenge is with the reading. Fact practice fluency is better in the old Saxon. Grade 1 – Biggest challenges – fact fluency and problem solving. NOTE: This is something that should be done K-6.
We will share this with everyone. Kindergarten Saxon is taught through end of
December. Students start the 1 st grade curriculum in January, and complete by end of year.
Title 1 – Olga is the Title teacher for standards based in K-4. Focus areas are
Numbers and Operations and Geometry and Measurement. 4 th grade: every day,
3 rd grade – 3X a week, etc.
Ah-Ha Moments (Next Steps):
 Post Math vocabulary in every class.
 Utilize the same problem solving process K-6 (8).
 Justify your answer. Write in complete sentences
 PLC’s- Are we using common vocabulary? Math has it’s own language. Look at patterns in word problems and teach strategies. Know vocabulary, Use the
Equation correctly, and Justify the Answer. Look at vocabulary that connects between disciplines (Science).
 5 th / 6 th will decide which curriculum to use for 5 th grade.
 There will not be a perfect book and all will require supplementation on a year-to-year basis. Which curriculum allows teachers adjust for student needs easily? What works best for struggling students-content chapters vs spiral? What works best for transfer between books and levels easily even mid year?
 How easy is book to use for students/ parents for homework without teacher assistance?
 Algebra is essential course and skill set for future math success.