Making Some Progress on Curriculum Design

The three of us are feeling better on the curriculum design assignment. We have our critique done of Saxon and Scott-Foresman, we've explained the angle we're coming from using CCSS mathematical practices. We've divided our "Math Thinkers" curriculum by grade level, and each of us are going to use the CCSS mathematical practices and give sample strategies of what math would look like at each grade level. Thankfully, our Elementary Tech class that we're taking is playing right into this as we've explored some sites available that are totally wonderful and free (Math focused). I'm anxious to use these with my new students in August. I hope we can share some of what we've constructed with our own teachers in the new school year. We all need to keep learning and being willing to change to reach kids in what may be new ways for us!

Feeling confused

I am having trouble getting into the construction of the curriculum design. Though we have our two curriculums to critique, have the Common Core practices as the "yardstick" by which to evaluate them, I'm still not sure - format wise - of what we should do. Should we type a report concerning each or is it meshed into a bullet-style format of practices listed and then + or - as to how each curriculum falls ( and is this in our opinion that we're deciding?) Need for Dr. Love to give us some clarification, I guess. Two weeks will be here quickly.

What Works Clearinghouse

Hey Lisa and Mike,
Take a look at the What Works Clearinghouse website. There are several ways to go on the site for looking at math curriculums compared. There is a recent one comparing Saxon, Scott-Foresman, and Investigations for 1st and 2nd graders. This may help us since we all live in the kind. world.

Getting Going in our Group - Me, Mike, Lisa

Hey Lisa and Mike,
I got by the school today and was able to put my hands on the Saxon Math and Scott Foresman Teaching guides (both have pretty detailed scope and sequence; pacing). Since we have to critique two curricula, why don't we critique these two and use Investigations along with Common Core Standards as the guide for how we critique and for what we would design. We're all familiar with Investigations and that should be a big plus in putting together a good curriculum. (especially with you also having the new, updated version,Lisa. ) Just thinking aloud; let me know your thoughts.)

Getting Started

Well, here I am with a new EDS class at Auburn for the summer and just like Spring semester, they've asked for us to create a blog. I did one in the Spring through wordpress, but have no idea how to transfer it over! The most difficult part of going back to school at age 53 has been the technology aspect, but slowly, I think I'm picking it up. So I'm going to save the blog concerning kindergarten math and use this for Dr. Love's class - Designing Early Childhood Curriculum. It seems like we're going the blogspot avenue this time. We used blogspot in our school this year and had a page for our Kindergarten pod (4 teachers sharing), but I'll be honest...the young 25 year old did the posting for us as we gave her the info! A new adventure...