In addition to content, Math builds many life skills such as Teamwork. This month's newsletter is the third installment in the four-month Math Confidence series on answering this oft-asked question with "T is for Teamwork" -- stay tuned as "H" is revealed in the September e-newsletter.
While teamwork may conjure up images of sports, Math is an opportunity for students to learn cooperation and collaboration. In class, the Teach Back method (groups of students actively participate in the exam review process) is an excellent example of teamwork. Outside of class, study groups inspire camaradie, improve thinking and usually increase test scores.
Educational 'teams' can also include teachers, parents, administrators who can support and promote the importance and joy of learning.
This concise ASCD (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development) book is subtitled "How to Engage Students, Build Teamwork and Promote Understanding". Group work can instill learning in school and is also valued in the workplace -- the 'end user' of the students. The book has classroom ideas for teachers and insights for parents about today's expectations in school and at work. Much of the wisdom is in the form of feedback loops such as Self-Monitoring questionnaires for the students and Anecdotal Observation forms for the instructor. The goals are for deeper understanding of content as well as non-academic skills like self-awareness, accountability and interdependence.
What content should be taught in what grade? Up until now, each state has had its own set of standards and its own tests. The goal of the Common Core State Standards is to unify Math (and English/Language Arts) standards throughout the United States to prepare students for college and career. Two consortia have formed for the development of assessments based on these new Common Core Standards. More states are adopting these standards every day. On July 30th, Tennessee became the latest state to adopt the Common Core State Standards.
