What’s new?
What about homework?
NHSD has adopted CPM, College Preparatory
Mathematics, as its math program for Grades 6Geometry. The CPM text and teaching approach
will be implemented new this year.
Each daily homework assignment has review
problems and will not focus on concepts learned in
the lesson of the day. Therefore, even if students
did not fully understand the main concepts of the
lesson, they should still find that they can complete
the homework independently. Mastery over time
is the reasoning behind the review. That is, to
solidify a concept takes repeated practice over
time.
How is CPM different?
Research has shown that math students learn best
when engaged in doing math, not just watching a
teacher talk about it. Students will spend much of a
CPM math class working through a variety of
different problems in small teams. The team
philosophy has many assets:
1. Required active learning by all students
2. Makes it more comfortable for
students to ask questions and problem
solve in a small group environment.
3. Provides a vehicle for a high level of
thinking, participation, and
communication.
CPM also requires more writing. In addition to
finding a numeric answer, students often write a
short explanation or justification for why that is the
answer. Research supports this approach to
learning.
http://www.cpm.org/pdfs/statistics/sallee_research.pdf
CPM provides flexibility for teachers and students
for additional reinforcement and extension of
topics.
Where can I go for Help?
… At School.
Team Members:
The CPM program is designed for students to learn
by working with classmates. During most class
periods, they will be working through different
problems with a group of three or four. Teams will
discuss, justify, and record their solutions.
Teachers:
For part of the class period, teachers still provide
direct instruction. For other parts of the period,
the teachers are there to guide/facilitate student
teams through the new material by asking probing
questions and giving hints. Teachers summarize
and provide closure with the students after teams
work through the lesson. The teachers will also be
available for help upon request from a student or
parent.
Math Lab:
Teachers are available every period (except 5th) in
the high school math lab
Where can I go for help?
…At home.
The Parent Guide:
CPM has published comprehensive Parent Guides
for most of their texts. These are available for
purchase or you can download the entire book (or
just a chapter) for free. The guides contain
explanations of the concepts and objectives from
each unit, with discussion and answers to the key
questions.
http://www.cpm.org/parents/resources.htm
E-book:
Each student’s textbook comes with access to an
online text. Each teacher will explain to the
students how to access this online resource as
soon as it is available.
Skill Builders:
CPM’s website also provides a section called Skill
Builders – a series of problems (with answers
provided) more narrowly focused on different skills
or topics that your students might need to review
and polish. Copies are available through the math
department and well as online.
http://www.cpm.org/parents/extraPractice.htm
Homework Help:
CPM provides free access to homework
help/answers on their website. You are even given
the answer, a helpful hint, or a detailed step-bystep solution with helpful hints and comments
along the way. It would be slower to complete all
of your homework that way, but the site is
available as a check for you if you are really stuck
or to see if you arrived at the correct answer.
http://www.cpm.org/students/homework/
We can provide support materials for students
who do not have internet access upon request.
Helpful Links:
Teacher Contacts
Parent Guides: Summaries and sample problems
from each unit.
http://www.cpm.org/parents/resources.htm
Ryan Metko
rmetko@nhsd.k12.wi.us
Skill Builders: Extra help for pesky topics.
http://www.cpm.org/parents/extraPractice.htm
CPM Homework Help: Contains answers for
homework problems.
http://www.cpm.org/students/homework/
Christine Gannigan
cgannigan@nhsd.k12.wi.us
Ryan Pizzi
rpizzi@nhsd.k12.wi.us
Matt Jacques
mjacques@nhsd.k12.wius
Lori Lahm
llahm@nhsd.k12.wi.us
Rachel Skinkis
rskinkis@nhsd.k12.wi.us
Nicole Fiedler
nfiedler@nhsd.k12.wi.us
Laura Bell
lbell@nhsd.k12.wi.us
Pat Preston
ppreston@nhsd.k12.wi.us