Becoming a Patient Problem-Solver

Dan Meyers, a math teacher, talks about the cookie cutter curriculum we frequently see (and heck, are much more comfortable with) in schools, and how it does a disservice to our kids by leading them through an unrealistic recipe for problem-solving.  He emphasizes the need for our kids to be 'patient problem-solvers' in order to be able to use the math we learn today, tomorrow.
When you and your child are struggling through those tough Application, Connection, and Extension exercises, think of this message:

The Trials and Tribulations of Teamwork

Last week we started working  in teams.  Overall, most teams did an excellent job of communicating, cooperating, and planning.  Leaders began to emerge and students began to settle into roles.  Some teams learned to deal with a team member refusing to participate.  Each team did a fine job of handling the situation, either by convincing the person to participate or by requesting help from the teacher.

While each team member will receive his own performance grade which will count towards 10% of their final grade, to be recognized as a "Best Investigation Team" every member of the team must to Outstanding work.  I encourage the students to work with each other's strengths and weaknesses in order to accomplish this task.  Problems are designed to be done cooperatively, and will never be an independent learning task.  If a student is absent, she should get the 'notes' from a team member by copying their Problem (and any notes that were given via a 'lecture' that day).  Teams that finished early were encouraged to let the 'best writer' on the team quickly proofread their sheet, and then each member was encouraged to check his work with the Problem Evaluation Sheet I will use to assess her performance.

Problem Evaluation Sheet

If a team is unable to complete the assigned task during the class period, they are encouraged to meet during study hall or share notes prior to the end of the Investigation.  At the end of the Investigation, students will be given a class period to finish any Problems or ACE exercises they were unable to complete on schedule, in addition to time to work on their Math Reflection.

Team-Based Learning

The introduction phase of school is winding down, and the academic focus is now beginning in the second week of school.  Last week was spent focusing on working together in homeroom, social activities, and academic endeavors.  7th graders at CMS spent time getting to know each other in community building activities during orientation the first day of school.  They worked together as a class and in small groups to share commonalities and differences, focusing on respecting each other for the individuals they are.  In addition, starting with small groups, all students worked on creating a set of school-wide agreements for behavior and social interaction, culminating in a Social Constitution on Friday.   Many homerooms will implement Circles of Power and Respect (CPR) once or twice a week to further work on social development.

In math, the focus was on being a 'Best Investigation Team'.   A Best Investigation Team is one that has every team member doing outstanding Problem work.   That means by the end of the investigation, every team member has all the Problems complete, and all responses are in complete sentences.  Through the Helium Stick activity, students learned that it is not enough just to lookout for oneself, but a successful team has good communication, cooperation, strong leadership, and a plan to reach a goal.  Teams exhibited those team-focused characteristics were able to lower the stick to the floor with each team member's index finger in constant contact with the bottom of the stick.

Investigation teams are created based on a secretly coded system of colors, where students chosing someone from another color to group with.  This creates groups of students with varying math abilities (as determined by the 'Algebraic Relationships' or the 'Geometry' goals on last spring's MAP test).  Prior to grouping, we discussed other strengths each individual could bring to the team, such as:  organization, getting everyone involved, keeping track of the time, understanding directions, etc.  Students were encouraged to pair up with someone with a strength that was different from their own.

Best Investigation Teams will be posted on the class wiki at the conclusion of each investigation. 

Links:
Team-Based Learning
Videos of A Typical Classroom Period
Beloit's CMP Parent Site
CMP's Parent Site
Developmental Designs Family Information sheet