December 2023 Mathematics Newsletter
Contents:
Here we are, near the end of 2023. You're about half way through the school year and oftentimes thinking about what to do when returning in January can be difficult. Do you review all the classroom expectations? Are students ready to jump back into content?
The first day back in January can be difficult for students as they return to waking up early again. A fun activity I would do on the first day back is the Yearly Number Challenge, as explained by Sarah Carter. Using the four digits of the new year (2024 this upcoming year) and using the four operations, students are challenged to try to come up with the numbers 1-100. This helps students get back into school mode while exploring and having fun with math!
There are several ways to implement this challenge in the classroom. Students can work as a class to find as many numbers as possible or students can work individually to see that you can find numbers in different ways (ex. 2+2+4+0=8 or 2^2+4+0=8 or 4!!+2-2+0=8).
I found a version of the challenge on Desmos and I have configured it for 2024. In this version, students can work individually (or have students work in pairs with only one computer open) to figure out how many numbers they can find. They also can see what numbers have been found by everyone in the class.
No matter how you choose to start back in January, I hope that the new year brings great success in and out of your classroom.
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On November 17, 2023, the State Textbook Committee met to review the rubrics completed by the Review Teams for the High-Quality Instructional Materials process for Mathematics. The following is a list of approved curriculum. This list does not include all publishers who bid in the current math adoption cycle.
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Bedford, Freeman, Worth: Statistics
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Big Ideas: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, Algebra 1, Geometry , Algebra 2
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Cengage: Finacial Algebra, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Trigonometry
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Curriculum Associates: 6, 7, 8
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McGraw Hill*: (K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5), 6, 7, 8, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2
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Open Up: 3, 4, 5
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Savvas**: (K, 1, 2), 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Statistics, Trigonometry
Further information of ratings for the approved titles and the textbook adoption process can be found through the following links:
* McGraw Hill (K-5) is provisionally approved, pending final approval at a later meeting.
** Savvas (K-2) is being revisited by the Review Team at the State Textbook Committee request.
The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) and Cognia will convene a committee of educators in preparation for the 2024 OSTP assessment. The purpose of this meeting is to review the Performance Level Descriptors (PLDs) for the upcoming assessment year and ensure they meet the standards and expectations of the OSTP.
Meetings will be held virtually on the following dates:
- January 8, 2024, 3:30-5:00 PM - Training for all committee members
- February 13, 2024, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM - Grades 6-8 PLD Review
- February 15, 2024, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM - Grades 3-5 PLD Review
Your input is valued, and we hope you will apply to participate in this step in the development of the Math Assessment. In order to be selected, interested participants should complete this application by December 22, 2023. Spots are limited.
Selected committee members not on contract will receive an honorarium of $150 per day. Selected committee members on contract will receive substitute reimbursement. Details on how to submit your information for either of these options will be emailed to all selected committee members.
Since the spring of 2022, the Oklahoma Math Tutoring Corps (OMTC), a high-dosage mathematics tutoring program through the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) for students in grades 7-9, has tutored over 2000 participating students. Surveys from students and their families revealed:
- 90% of participants increased their understanding of mathematics.
- 84% of families said participating students were more confident about math.
- 84% of students indicated they would be more likely to persevere after making a mistake.
Registration is now open for the Spring 2024 session of the OMTC. There is no cost to participate.
Beginning on January 21, trained tutors will work with groups of no more than four students in 50-minute virtual tutoring sessions. These sessions will occur three times a week for 12 weeks to reinforce grade-level math concepts and processes they are studying in class and prepare them for higher-level coursework.
The spring 2024 session will be January 21 through April 20, with a break March 17-23. Families and students can enroll for the upcoming session through this link. The OSDE will provide any needed technology or internet access, and tutoring schedules will occur during students’ free time outside of the school day.
Additional information is available on the OSDE’s Math Tutoring Corps webpage.
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OSDE and Math Solutions are offering a workshop to help administrators to understand the characteristics of a highly effective mathematics classroom, engage participants in practices that address unfinished learning in the math classroom, and provide direction on best practices for coaching to support mathematics educators.
Register today to join the OSDE and Math Solutions for our FREE, three-day (18 PD Hours) K-8 Administrator Math Workshop February 28, 29, and March 1, in Yukon!
Additional workshops for K-6 classroom teachers will be in four different locations in June. Continue to watch for detailed information and registration when it become available.
Beginning in the 2024-25 school year, legislation will require all public and public charter elementary and middle schools to offer instruction aligned to the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Computer Science. By participating in the upcoming free Bootstrap professional learning cohorts and implementing the free and open computer science/mathematics/data science curriculum, middle schools will meet the legislative requirement of providing integrated computer science coursework aligned to the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Computer Science.
Bootstrap, a non-profit organization based out of Brown University, has partnered with the OSDE to provide free computer science/mathematics integration professional learning opportunities and free and open curriculum for pre-algebra and algebra teachers.
Teachers may apply for the next Bootstrap cohort taking place on the following dates:
- January 26-27 (in Oklahoma City)
- February 9-10 (virtual)
- March 8-9 (virtual)
- April 12-13 (virtual)
Applications for this training are due at 5:00 pm on Wednesday, December 20. For more information, email Jeremy Maker, Project Manager of Computer Science Education.
 https://foxtrot.com/2023/12/03/negative-temps/
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