Dear Brassfield Parents,
Thank you so much for taking the time to attend our Common Core Math Parent Information Night last week. We were so pleased with the wonderful turnout.
Here are some of the key overarching themes of the presentation:
Our hope is that you walked away from the evening armed with some information that was new to you and a somewhat fresh perspective on the Common Core curriculum (CCC) in mathematics. The CCC was created in response to an undeniable need. If the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results, American educators were certifiably crazy. We had all the empirical data in the world to tell us in no uncertain terms that we were not preparing our students adequately to compete or perform globally in math. Thus the common core math curriculum was born.
It is so vitally important that we ensure that our students are offered a deeply conceptual framework at the outset of instruction, which can then be followed by more efficient means. These simple addition problems that seem to be so time-consuming are but a stepping stone in the direction of the traditional algorithm. We WANT students to get there, we just don't want the algorithm to be the only trick up their sleeves.
We here at Brassfield are in the business of creating flexible thinkers and dynamic problem solvers, not just students who thrive on simple computation.Because we have transitioned into the technological age, many of the mathematical skills that were of great value to our generation are rendered obsolete for our children.
The ability to collaborate and communicate effectively (yep, including in written form) about math is key. We must prepare our students differently. Again, we are focusing on instructing students in such a way that they have a robust understanding of mathematics and problem solving. We are placing a great deal of importance on promoting number sense and encouraging students to innovate and collaborate together.
I received some terrific feedback from parents who stayed after to speak to me after the presentation and I'm hoping to receive even more productive feedback from this e-mail. Here are the messages echoed by several parents:
1. Should we show our kids the way that we were taught or will that "mess them up"?
By all means you should teach your kiddos your strategies. The more tools to which our students are introduced, the more likely it is that "hybridized learning" will take place. The research is clear that this is the most impactful, effective learning there is. Essentially, hybridized learning is when a student is presented with multiple strategies and then that student's brain goes about the important business of picking and choosing what makes most sense to him or her and blending the knowledge in a personal and dynamic way.
2. Is it possible for Brassfield to offer "Common Core Parent School" to introduce us to some of these strategies we have never seen before?
YES! I am going to make it my mission to have these courses available to parents by the start of the 2015-2016 school year. I envision one-hour sessions that are either per grade level, or per grade-level band (K-1, 2-3, 4-5).
Have a splendid day! Thanks again for taking the time to come out last night.
Larissa (Mrs. PF Chang/ Math Lady)
Want even more information? Check out the following links:
Three Ways the Common Core Transforms Classroom Instruction
What is Brain Targeted Teaching?
What is Common Core Curriculum?
What is the History of American Education?
