Modern Learning Questions

I was recently asked, "How would you design a classroom for today?" Great question!  I would take it a step further; how should we design our classrooms for tomorrow?  We need to think creatively as budgets continue to shrink and learning expectations (along with technology needing to be an "accelerator" to learning) increases.  

Last year I attended the MACUL15 conference where I had the good fortune to attend a session hosted by  @KleinErin @ShawnCRubin @thomascmurray on Personalized Instruction for ALL Learners and Create a Brain-Friendly, Blended Learning Space. The information provided by the presenters inspired many and generated great questions that we should use to guide our actions regarding modern learning. Some questions to consider:

• How much has changed in past 100 years?  Why do classrooms still look the same today as they did 100 years ago?  
• Where do you want to go to school?  
• In what type of world will our kids live?  
• How can we enhance what we already do well?  
• What motivates our students?  
• How can we increase intellectual engagement?  
• Can we make learning memorable?  
• “Kids are instant!”  How can we prepare curriculum and instruction that matches their learning style?   
• Do we need to reconsider our learning space?  
• How can we personalize instruction?
• What digital learning tools are needed to enhance personalized instruction and student collaboration?
• How can we restructure our day?  
• What are the learning outcomes we want for our students?  What technology is to be the “accelerator” to those learning outcomes?  
• What should we “put up” in our classrooms?  Should we ditch the desks?  
• How should we arrange the layout in the classroom?  What does good design look like?  
• Should we create “Maker Spaces” within our classrooms and schools?  
• Are we Future Ready?  
• What is best for kids?  

What will education look like in the near and extended future? My hope is that these questions will continue to drive our educational beliefs and decision-making about modern learning.  I look forward to using these questions as a guide to enhance personalized instruction for all learners while creating a blended learning space that is brain-friendly.  What exciting times in education!

Please share how you would design a classroom for tomorrow!

 

Enjoy teaching and learning together!

“We should strive to be the teacher that we want our own children to have!”  @KleinErin

Think Through Math

For the past couple of years, our building has been utilizing Think Through Math (TTM) as a supplemental tool in conjunction with our district math curriculum.  We have found it to be extremely beneficial.

Think Through Math does exactly what its name suggests. It provides students with opportunity to understand mathematical concepts rather than just getting to a final answer.   The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Communication Standards indicate that instructional programs, prekindergarten through grade 12, should enable all students to do the following:

·         Organize and consolidate their mathematical thinking through communication.

·         Communicate their mathematical thinking coherently and clearly to peers, teachers, and others.

·         Analyze and evaluate the mathematical thinking and strategies of others.

·         Use the language of mathematics to express mathematical ideas precisely. 

TTM understands the importance of these principles to improve math instruction through research-based best practices combined with advanced technology.  TTM utilizes adaptive software to target individual gaps in knowledge while providing immediate corrective feedback, correcting misconceptions, and delivering quality differentiated instruction.  As student’s mathematical skills progress, TTM meets them at their level, providing new concepts and related enrichment so they are continually engaged, supporting their individualized instructional level.  The uniqueness of TTM is that students can connect with a LIVE certified teacher when they are unable manage a problem on their own.  TTM understands the importance of immediate support when a student is struggling with a new concept.  Connecting and interacting with a live teacher enhances the likelihood for student success while taking their mathematical skills to the next level. The Foundational Principles of TTM:

·         Motivate & Engage

·         Utilize Adaptive Placement &Personalized Instruction

·         Provide Opportunities for Learning Autonomy & Ownership

·         Create Meaningful Practice

·         Implement Higher Leverage Teaching Practices

These foundational principles are what drive TTM, while providing fun differentiated instruction along the way, with on-the-spot support from certified teachers.  Monteith teachers and students continue to benefit from TTM’s pedagogical practices. 

What our teachers at Monteith are saying about TTM:

The Think Through Math Program helps me in the classroom in many ways.  First, it provides me with the opportunity to provide differentiated instruction.  Students can work at their own levels, while still getting teacher support as needed.  I can monitor and change pathways as I see fit to help students reach their individual math goals. Another way it is helpful is that it provides the class with a common goal.  Students earn points and achieve a team prize of their choice. Lastly, it helps boost children's confidence in math!  Students are working at their own pace to achieve rewards for skills they accomplish, no matter at what level they are working at.  Overall, I feel TTM is a great addition to my 5th grade classroom.  5^th grade teacher

Kids like the autonomy of going back to where they left off… without having to “check in“ with the teacher. They like that nobody else (except the teacher) can see what lessons they are on, how they scored on the pre quiz, post quiz, etc.   They like being able to have extra lab time during the week for TTM, and the chance to work on it at home. Last year, with our class/grade/school goal of completing 30 lessons, it became an opportunity to encourage our classmates… applauding those who made it into the “30 Club” and receiving praise from the teacher (either when I typed a comment to them on TTM or mentioned it in person) that I was proud of their progress, hard work, extra time using the program at home, etc. 5^th grade teacher

My students…benefited greatly.  They LOVED the challenge and the ability to work through problems at their own speed.  …loved the competition part too.  …Students were thrilled to know that they were really high in the school and the state.  3^rd grade teacher

Students love selecting an avatar that they can personalize as they gain points.  The more points earned through passing lessons allows students to modify their avatar with new features.  Perfect motivational tool for students!  Principal

Monteith has enjoyed the opportunity to work with Think Through Math.  It is supporting our ongoing school improvement efforts, providing students with deeper understanding of mathematical concepts while motivating and empowering them to be life-long learners. 

We truly appreciate the financial support of our PTO who provided funding for TTM.  Thank you for being our partner in education!  Your support is always appreciated! 

Have a great week! 

Keith 

To learning more about TTM, check out this video which highlights the following:

Think Through Math is America’s premier math differentiation system—a Web-based curriculum proven to raise math achievement for students in grades 3 through Algebra I. The program is designed to meet the rigors of the Common Core and accelerate students to grade level. Students who complete at least 30 lessons in their targeted pathway are proven to make measureable gains on standardized tests.

http://vimeo.com/71113604

For additional information about TTM contact:

Matt Young

Regional Manager - Midwest

Think Through Math

Cell: 586.713.7513

myoung@thinkthroughmath.com