Math Discourse Learning Site
In a Learning Site, educators come together for a full day in a live classroom around a common area of practice (also can accommodate a ½ day model). Participants talk with the host teacher and set goals for their own classrooms. Participants who continue the learning through virtual follow-up sessions are also able to earn an academic ladder credit.
Math Discourse: If you or an educator you know is working toward improving students' ability to discuss and problem solve in math, this is an opportunity to join other educators for a ½ day in a live classroom around a common area of practice. This learning site on 3/14/23 places the question of “How do we support students to synthesize their thinking through mathematical discourse?" in an elementary classroom. Led by Fran Ahearn (Philbrick Elementary School), the site will demonstrate one teacher's approach to answering this question while thinking through how to provide opportunities for math conversations to build student agency. After the observation educators have a chance to think through and debrief with the host teacher around the hows and whys of their teaching practice with potential for follow up coaching sessions for an ALC/PDPs.
Time: One half school day (sub $ available)
Feedback: 99% recommended
Credits: Up to 12 PD hours or 1 ALC
Capacity: 10-15 per session
Mode: In-person
Resources: Learning Site Packet, Debrief Notes, Pre-Session Slide Show, Virtual Session Slide Show
THANK YOU for all the educators that attended the Learning site at John D. Philbrick Elementary school! Our host teacher was Frances Ahearn (Grade 3) and debrief facilitator was Eric Grant (Grade 2). We had 19 participants join from 14 different BPS schools/departments join this session.
After the session, 100% of participants (13 out of 13 exit ticket responses) said that they would recommend this session to a colleague. Additional comments from participants:
I really enjoyed observing Fran's class and the opportunity to talk in small groups (when we broke into groups by specific drivers)
Well organized, teacher modeling and debrief opportunity was tremendously helpful
I really enjoyed the observation and also meeting colleagues from different schools within the district. Everything on the agenda was necessary in order to get the most out of the session.
We asked, “What's one thing you learned today that might benefit your students?” Sample responses:
It really made me think about the importance of educators mastering the standards they are teaching so that students can get the most effective learning.
If educators consistently use mathematical language and repetition in their questioning, then students become more confident using mathematical language in their responses.
Students should use discourse to explain their thinking because although they might understand a process of how to do something, do they understand the "hows" and "whys" of it, which is important in anything they do.