What Is To Be Done? - Secondary Math Teacher Cadre

What is to be Done by our Secondary Mathematics Teacher Cadre Committee:

These notes function as points of reference to help us fulfill our goal of developing product to support our District math curriculum. They are based on our invaluable conversation during the April 30th Secondary Mathematics Teacher Cadre Meeting with Ms. Shirley Ward, Secondary Content Specialist in the HISD Mathematics Department.

The Laying the Foundations (LTF) Program provides Pre-AP math teachers in grades 6-11 with a series of resources that link skills with the competencies students must acquire if they are to have equitable access to college-level courses.
Students and teachers can benefit from the skills, activities, and approaches introduced through LTF materials. LTF materials are part of our current curriculum.
LTF Materials cover Pre-AP/AP course content in the following areas:
6th grade Pre-AP Mathematics
Pre-AP Geometry

7th grade Pre-AP Mathematics
Pre-AP Algebra 2

Pre-AP Algebra 1
Pre-AP Pre-Calculus

II. LTF Guides, throughout their indices, content, and appendices, illustrate ways to present these competencies and to connect them through activities that employ special AP-aligned questioning strategies.
The Guides focus on several topical areas and big ideas that present themselves both horizontally and vertically across our secondary mathematics curriculum:
Analysis of Functions
Areas and Volumes
Data Inferences
Optimization
Limits
Graphical Data Displays
Accumulation
Rates of Change
Series and Sequences
Domain and Range
Transformations
Probability

Attached please find an LTF Index that illustrates problems that align through grades 6-11 with these topics. Models for questioning strategies (aligned with AP materials) are also attached.
III. How LTF Guides, Questions and Strategies can support our larger task:
Listed below are several key ways that we can integrate LTF Guides and Strategies into our team product:
1. Align these types of vertical extensions with our Top Ten SEs and then with the other SEs for our given math areas: Algebra 1/Geometry and Algebra 2.
2. Make special SE-based product with model problems showing connections between these given areas--as they relate to the pre-AP curriculum and extend to EOC and beyond. Integrate pre-AP friendly questioning strategies for each area, using the LTF strategies as a model for our new product.
3. Generate a list of appropriate resources that align with District policy for their inclusion. Cross-categorize these resources by SE, by big idea, and by math area—and then extend and connect (and list) all to encompass the big themes across our SEs.
4. Draw upon available and approved texts, CDs and Region IV resources (Exemplars, Math ESL texts) et al.
Develop other creative SE connectors, extensions and resources that Monica Kendall, her Math department and our Committee members and colleagues deem appropriate.

IV. Committee Members are now examining the TEKS for specific math areas within our focus.

Algebra 1/Geometry/Algebra 2/ Pre-AP Committee Members, and their areas of focus are:

Member Area of Focus
1. Yolando Beronque - Algebra 2
2. Marcy Divinity- Algebra 1
3. Camille Jones - Geometry
4. Patricia McMorris - Chairperson: All subjects
5. Kamal Saini - Algebra 2

Deadlines for product submission will be determined at our next meeting.

Week 3: What Is To Be Done?

Week 3: What is to be Done by our Secondary Mathematics Teacher Cadre Committee:
Kamal Saini, Houston ISD

These notes are based on our conversation during the May 7th Secondary Mathematics Teacher Cadre Meeting.
1. How to incorporate the Top 10 power objectives into our curriculum to be taught keeping in mind the future considerations?
2. Incorporate activities from LTF in summer school to check for student’s response/understanding.
3. How to pose big idea questions/questioning strategies to students to create a college bound culture?
4. Suggested LTF as Resources for curriculum design.
5. Generate a list of appropriate resources to be included in curriculum.
6. Monica Kendall discussed about District Plan for common benchmark for all HISD schools from next year.
7. Vertical alignment of objectives from College Algebra MATH 1314 and 1315 in Algebra II (B)
7. Draft HAPG for the 1st Six Weeks to be turned on 5.14.07
8. Who is going to do what for 2nd-6th 6 weeks HAPG.
9. What is due by 6.8.07 and 6.22.07 to be decided in meeting on 5.14.07.

Algebra I/Geometry/ Algebra 2/Pre-AP Committee Members, and their areas of focus are:
Member Area of Focus
1.Yolanda Beronque & Kamal Saini Algebra II
2. Marcy Divinity Algebra I
3. Camille Jones Geometry
4. Patricia McMorris Chairperson: All Subjects

BACKUP for Middle School Mathematics – Patricia McMorris
2nd BACKUP – Marcy Divinity