SUMMER 2024, Vol. 9
September 2024
Published by: Montana Office of Public Instruction Mathematics Instructional Coordinator - Katrina Engeldrum
MT Math Minute
Group Chat:
Smells Like TEAM Spirit
How exciting! I hope they’ll be more clear and simplified!
Did OPI say what they were going to do to help us? That’s a lot of work!
What are standards? lol. jk.
Did you hear that we are going to have new Math Standards in Montana?
What did they change!?
What does this mean for the curriculum we just bought??
The Superintendent of Public Schools and Board of Public Education opened Montana’s Math Standards for review and revision in the Summer of 2022.
The Board of Public Education is now considering these proposals for a currently projected implementation date of July 2025!
Read on to learn more about this significant news!
Where can I find more information?
If you’d like to access any of the related information, here are some helpful links:
(we will discuss more of the details further on)
Access the research, latest drafts, and guidance documents here. Note: guidance is being developed, but much is pending board approval of the standards.
This brief tutorial will show you how to navigate the drafted documents.
Access previous BPE recordings, and understand when the next meetings will occur. Learn how you can attend.
FEATURE: New Math Standards
How will OPI help educators prepare?
Once the BPE has made its final decisions, we will work to draft and release guidance documents that will help educators with the work ahead. To view the specific plans for elements proposed to be included in the guidance, view the implementation plan. This will include professional learning, so be on the look out for virtual and in-person events that will provide the information you need!
Does this mean schools will need to purchase new curriculum?
Perhaps - depending on district decision-making. While the adoption of new standards does not immediately mean a district will need to purchase a new curriculum, schools will want to examine their current curriculum to assess whether it aligns with the standards and where additional supplementary material may need to be added. Districts should be engaging in this process regularly already, and they frequently supplement to meet IEFA requirements or address missing standards. Your district may not need a new curriculum, but they will need to do a curriculum review.
FEATURE:New Math Standards
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the task force change?
Through K-12, you will notice the following common modifications -
- New K-12 math practices!
- Reduction in the length of standards.
- A Removal of specific examples from the administrative rules and transfer to guidance documents.
- Use of accessible language and redefinition of “fluency” to “flexibly, accurately, and efficiently” where appropriate.
- Update of IEFA and cultural connections statement.
To view the specific changes to the mathematical practice or content standards, please review the Math Revisions Webpage.
You will notice that High School has undergone a restructuring. It is here that you will see the most significantly noticeable changes at first glance.
STAY TUNED:
In next month’s Mt Math Minute, we will deep dive into the new math practices!
FEATURED RESOURCE:
Small Number Counts
This fantastic resource from Simon Fraser University provides a math-themed story series that you can use in your classroom to Indian Education For All!
The Small Number stories feature a young Indigenous child who explores the world around him while learning about math. These stories address themes such as community, respect, traditional knowledge, games, and conservation.
The stories have been translated to multiple languages including Cree, Blackfoot, French, English, Spanish, and American Sign Language, offering educators the opportunity to introduce these languages, or use the translations to address the needs of students who speak multiple languages, or who are developing their knowledge of English.
The stories come in print and in video format and lesson resources are available, organized by grade levels.
This resource covers topics typically addressed in the K-7 grade standards.
This could be adapted to older grade-level students who may need a refresh of earlier grade topics.
The best parts?
IT IS A
way to integrate IEFA and Math while meeting the needs of students who use Indigenous languages, ASL, Spanish, or French, at home!
This link offers an overview of each story, including the available translations and credits & acknowledgments.
This link offers translated, accessible, and printable versions of the stories for teacher use.
This link offers lesson plans, learning topics, vocabulary, cultural relevance, guiding questions, and activities that accompany each story by appropriate grade level.
RESOURCE LIST:
Here are some resources for developing math learning in the classroom:
Global
Math
Stories
This resource presents current global mathematical practices that are rooted in tradition and history. Montana even makes the list with Stick Game and Bitterroot!
Check out this cool resource for some fun lesson plans and engaging activities to do with your students that will help them see that mathematics connects us all!
Last Best Learning Podcast
OPI Instructional Coordinators Michelle and Katrina have launched a new podcast where we invite experts to talk about the things Montana’s teachers face everyday. Listen to fellow Montana educators as we explore topics like educator self-care, differentiation, retention of teachers, and how what works!
Game: SET
Need a new game for those days where you really need to differentiate your instruction but don’t want to lose your students who are finishing early? Let me introduce (or remind you of) the game SET! This game will make students engage with logical reasoning and justifying through verbal proof. Play for free online, or buy a deck for less than $10.
More
Resources
For more resources visit our padlet where you will find:
- Featured classroom resources.
- Podcast Episodes of Interest.
- Research in Math Education.
- And more!
All curated and updated weekly by our Math Instructional Coordinator
pROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Teacher Learning Hub Offerings:
Addition and Subtraction Strategies (5 PDUs)
But What About Fact Fluency (2 PDUs)
Indian Ed & Math Seamless Integration (2 PDUs)
Mathematical Practices (K-8) (3 PDUs)
Multiplication Strategies of Basic Facts (4 PDUs)
Multiplication Strategies: Multi-Digit Numbers (5 PDUs)
Playing with Pythagoras (4 PDUs)
Problem Solving: Bring Your Classroom Alive! (3 PDUs)
The Hub offerings are free and self-guided. While each training can be applied towards licensure renewal, we encourage you to check with your district administrator or collective bargaining agreement to verify these meet district requirements for PIR.
Upcoming Events:
Professional Development F.A.Q
Need Additional Support?
Thanks for
Reading!
Want to be featured in future volumes?
OPI would love to feature those educators making innovative strides in mathematics education. If you would like to see a teacher, math department, school, or district honored for their great work, please fill out our feature request form.
