Administrator Kick Off
TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2013
8:00 – 12:00
SEASCAPE GOLF CLUB
Description of Practice
 Using performance assessments to guide instruction
 Regular insertion of MARS Tasks, Problems of the Month
(POM) and other non-routine math problems into our
lessons and assessments.
 Allow students to apply math in a variety of ways and
explore concepts more deeply
 Use of quality math tasks to teach a topic without need
for immediate direct instruction. Students work together
to make sense of the mathematics and the various
solution paths
Links to Common Core
Instructional Shifts
Vehicle of instruction is the Math Practices
Teacher Presentation
and Student Practice
of Skills
Student Discovery,
Discussion,
Evaluation
Direct Instruction of
Skills
Student Exploration
of Fewer Topics.
Students Apply
Mathematics
Impact on Students
 Students become risk takers who can solve problems
beyond their initial expectations.
 Collaboration becomes a process in reasoning, arguing,
and justifying
 Students begin to apply tactical math skills which helps
them gain confidence in attempting problems for which a
direct path to a solution may not at first be apparent .
 Notable improvement in the use of mathematical and
academic language.
Tips on Implementation
(Lessons Learned)
 Just go for it! Have no fear. It gets easier with each
attempt.
 Easier with a buddy teacher.
 There are a variety of sources where one can get
tasks.
Resources & Tools
for getting started
 SVMI http://www.svmimac.org/
 Mathematics Assessment Project – includes formative assessment
lessons from the Shell Center (FAL) each of which begins with a MARS
task. Lessons are exemplary
http://map.mathshell.org/materials/index.php
 Inside Mathematics -- has a limited number of MARS tasks, also has
terrific classroom videos http://www.insidemathematics.org/
 SANDI (San Diego Unified)
http://www.sandi.net//site/Default.aspx?PageID=2478
 Illustrative Mathematics (http://www.illustrativemathematics.org/)
Contact Information
Sylvia Jacobson and Sumita
Jaggar
Scotts Valley Middle SChool
sjacobson@scottsvalleyusd.org