Math Mondays with Tanner

"Math in Children's Literature" - Episode 137

Marco isn't the only one who deals with books. I do, too! As an elementary teacher, you know the power of a read aloud. At Ebinport, there is a whole set of math-focused read alouds in front of the copier in the teacher workroom. I also spent $1,500 on new texts that we will inventory and add to the collection over the summer. While these books intentionally have a math focus, any book can be a math read aloud! As you incorporate literature into your math block, Christina suggests you:

• "select picture books according to the goals of the read aloud experience,
• plan and facilitate "notice and wonder" discussions with a math lens,
• utilize experiences that invite students to pursue literacy and math-focused ideas beyond the pages of the read aloud (consider dramatic play centers, themed tasks, etc. as you infuse math into the context of the story you share with students), and
• connect with students' families and communities through stories."

I'm here if you ever need help finding a picture book to pair with your math lesson or if you want a guest reader during your math block. Let me know how I can support you and your students!

These classes had the highest number of average completed lessons for their grade level last week. This weekly reward comes with 10 extra minutes of recess. Thank you for prioritizing DreamBox and for helping our students close gaps and engage in enrichment opportunities!

We will continue the essential standards skill check-ups this week. I will put these into your Mastery Connect trackers and create the quizzes. There is no work on your part. All you need to do is ensure that your students complete this quick quiz during their mandatory DreamBox time. It will only be 4 or 5 questions, so 25-30 minutes is more than enough time to work. Students should be expected to show their work and take their time. If I were you, I would collect their work to send the message that you are serious about this. The goal is to see what students remember and to help give all of us a data-informed approach to end of the year "review time."

Thursday, April 18

• 3.NSBT.5 - compare and order numbers through 999,999
• 4.NSBT.2 - recognize periods in numbers to read and write numbers through 999,999,999
• 5.NSBT.3 - compare, read, and write decimals through thousandths in standard and expanded

I will help pull apart the data with each of your teams during our weekly math planning meetings over the next five weeks. This will include gathering resources and planning manageable reteaching groups to effectively utilize and react to this data. I'm your partner in this and on this journey, too.

CLICK HERE FOR SHARED DATA FOLDER (UPDATED AFTER EACH QUIZ)

As you begin to have conversations with your students about math MAP test, let them know that they will receive a "show your work" packet from me. Older students will have graph paper in their packets. Students are also permitted to use two colored pencils (or crayons) to mimic SC Ready. Packets of students who took their time will be collected, and four students from each class will be randomly selected to attend an extra recess and a popsicle party. My focus is on effort.

PLEASE NOTE: A student-friendly math MAP video will be sent out on Monday. Please show this to students on Tuesday morning before testing. Packets will be delivered on Monday as well.

MAP is a single data point. We can use a student's percentile on their spring math MAP test to help predict how they will score on SC Ready. Our goal is for students to score in the MEETS or EXCEEDS categories, but we also look for growth from year to year. As an instructional coach, I will look at our third, fourth, and fifth grade students with these percentiles in mind to help us prepare for how students may score at the end of the year. I will send this information to you, and we will create action plans for our students who are on the cusp of APPROACHES and MEETS.

As a reminder, Rock Hill Schools uses AVTs instead of the NWEA-generated goals for MAP testing. Spring goals do not change based on a student's fall or winter score. This means that if a child has already met their spring AVT, they need to maintain (and hopefully continue to make progress). You received these electronically last week. Please use these for goal setting conversations with your students. Student awareness of their goal is key. Let me know if you have any questions.

After speaking with Marco, it is my understanding that the spring FastBridge window has been extended until Friday, April 26. This gives you an additional two weeks to assess students. If you have any questions or need help testing your class, please let me know!

As a coach, my schedule is flexible. Please realize that my schedule will change based on what is included below. This gives you a rough idea of when I will be out of the building, in coaching cycles with teachers, or in meetings. If you need anything, reach out and let me know how I can help!

• April 16 - Spring Math MAP Testing for 1st - 5th Grades
  
• April 26 - Spring FastBridge Deadline for Lower Grades
• May 14 - Math PD
• May 23 - SC Ready Math Testing

• Math Mondays # 15 - Week of April 8
• Math Mondays # 14 - Week of March 25
• Math Mondays # 13 - Week of March 18
• Math Mondays # 12 - Week of March 11
• Math Mondays # 11 - Week of March 4
• Math Mondays # 10 - Week of February 26
• Math Mondays # 9 - Week of February 19
• Math Mondays # 8 - Week of February 12
• Math Mondays # 7 - Week of February 5
• Math Mondays # 6 - Week of January 29
• Math Mondays # 5 - Week of January 22
• Math Mondays # 4 - Week of January 15
• Math Mondays # 3 - Week of January 8
• Math Mondays # 2 - Week of December 18
• Math Mondays # 1 - Week of December 11