Math Instruction - Planning for the Future

We all look forward to returning to our classrooms and engaging in the art of teaching with our students. As we adjust our instruction while students are learning from home, teachers are asking where to focus their math lessons. 

Through the month of April, you may begin providing students with preview lessons of math topics yet to come. 

• Begin by looking at the priority standards that are also major topics as identified in the national math Achieve the Core site. In our pacing guides, these major standards are highlighted in green. In doing so, we focus deeply on the major work of each grade so that students can gain strong foundations: solid conceptual understanding, a high degree of procedural skill and fluency, and the ability to apply the math they know to solve problems inside and outside the math classroom.* 
• If you need to narrow your focus even further, look at the ISASP Mathematics Practice Tests for your grade level as a guide. Using Achieve the Core and the state of Iowa resources as guidance for the upcoming units of study should point you toward the high impact skills students will need to be successful for their next level of learning. 

These previews would be optional learning opportunities for students. By providing students the opportunity to preview these major skills in April, student learning will be accelerated when we return to school in May. This will allow teachers to differentiate for those who need small group instruction, additional scaffolds, or extension. 

The SEP priority standards that are noted as supporting and additional skills in Achieve the Core that do not get taught this year will be intertwined next year into the math unit of study where they best fit. 

Thank you for all you are doing to support the whole child in their journey of learning. 

*“Mathematics: Focus by Grade Level.” Achieve The Core, achievethecore.org/category/774/mathematics-focus-by-grade-level.