|
The Grafton School District believes all students can learn at high levels, and its comprehensive curriculum, aligned to state standards, reflects this core belief. Administrators, coaches, and teacher teams work collaboratively to design and implement instructional programming to meet the needs of our diverse learners. Our teams also continuously evaluate and, when necessary, revise curriculum and resources to support our commitment to “every student, every day.”
As a District, we are continually refining our practices in the classroom to provide high quality instruction and learning. The Teaching and Learning Department provides teacher training and ongoing professional development to support teachers in implementing the best instructional practices.
Math Curriculum
John Long Middle School and Grafton High School have adopted the Illustrative Mathematics math curriculum to support the math learning of students in 6th through 8th grade and students in Algebra, Geometry and Advanced Algebra.
What do parents need to know about Illustrative Mathematics?
IM 6–8 Math, IM Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2 are problem-based core curricula rooted in content and practice standards to foster learning and achievement for all. Students learn by doing math, solving problems in mathematical and real-world contexts, and constructing arguments using precise language. Teachers can shift their instruction and facilitate student learning with high-leverage routines that guide them in understanding and making connections between concepts and procedures.
IM Math lessons are designed with a focus on independent, group, and whole-class instruction. This format builds mathematical understanding and fluency for all students. Teachers will also use Warm-ups and Cool-downs to help guide lesson pacing and planning.
What is a problem-based curriculum?
In a problem-based curriculum, students spend most of their time in class working on carefully crafted and sequenced problems. Teachers help students understand the problems, ask questions to push their thinking, and orchestrate discussions to be sure that the mathematical takeaways are clear. Learners gain a rich and lasting understanding of mathematical concepts and procedures and experience applying this knowledge to new situations. Students frequently collaborate with their classmates—they talk about math, listen to each other’s ideas, justify their thinking, and critique the reasoning of others. They gain experience communicating their ideas both verbally and in writing, developing skills that will serve them well throughout their lives.
This kind of instruction may look different from what you experienced in your own math education. Current research says that students need to be able to think flexibly in order to use mathematical skills in their lives (and also on the types of tests they will encounter throughout their schooling). Flexible thinking relies on understanding concepts and making connections between them. Over time, students gain the skills and the confidence to independently solve problems that they've never seen before.
The Parent Guide to the Grafton Instructional Practices in Mathematics provides further detailed information on math instruction in grades 4K-8.
| 