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Focus on Curriculum
New Math?
Not Really... Just a Deeper
Understanding of What Kids
Have Always Learned
Today’s media is filled with stories about frustration with “newmath.”
Why has the frustration level of doing math homework increased
over the years and how can educators support students and parents
with mathematics?
The first step is understanding how math has changed and why.
Here’s the secret...math hasn’t changed. The
way
students use their
understanding has changed, but math itself is no different than it was
when students simply solved problems and checked the answers in
the back of the book.
Mathematics instruction today begins with solidifying the basic
concepts or conceptual understanding of math, then expands into
computation and the application of math skills to prepare students
for the next steps in mathematics both in school and beyond.
Beginning in early elementary,
students are taught
why
numbers
work the way they do and
the relationship between the
numbers. In addition, students
are taught multiple strategies that
may be used to reach a solution.
These multiple strategies teach
students to think independently
and build an understanding of
why
43-27=16, instead of that the
answer just is 16. This approach to learning is why a parent might
see students use drawings to represent what may be more efficiently
completed through a memorized mathematics procedure. Using
these strategies to show an understanding of the math concepts
leads to a stronger understanding of “how numbers work” ultimately
supporting higher level mathematics applications in the future.
The good news is...today’s mathematics is the same math it has
always been, it is the approach to math that has changed to more
effectively support student understanding. Ongoing research has
taught us that using a multi-faceted approach to teaching math skills
is a more powerful way to grow students who are able
to solve and apply real-world problems. Through this
change, our young mathematicians will be prepared for
not only the present, but for the future as well.
Advanced Placement (AP) Courses:
Building Success through Challenge
The learning curve for students takes on different
characteristics as they grow and develop.
Students moving into their teens are positioned to
learn significantly from challenges and learning
experiences that result in both success and failure
(or push-back). In the last few years, a growing
body of literature has cited experiences of this
type of resiliency or “grit” as an important element
in preparing students to become successful in the
future.
One way in which Lisle CUSD 202 incorporates
curricular resilience while preparing students for
college and/or future careers is by exposing them
to introductory college level courses while in high
school. This opportunity is offered through the
Advanced Placement (AP)
program sponsored
by the College Board. Students may receive
college credit upon earning a successful score on
the course specific AP examination. AP courses
must comply with a College Board audit process,
ensuring that rigorous standards are being
maintained.
Lisle CUSD 202 recognizes that students cannot
simply begin college level courses in high
school without a sound educational foundation.
Therefore, through a well-rounded curriculum,
students as young as sixth grade will be gradually
exposed to more concentrated and rigorous
learning experiences in preparation for upper
level courses in high school.
Beginning in 2016-17, Lisle Senior High School
will offer five new AP Courses in addition to the
eight it currently offers. Lisle CUSD 202’s effort to
spread AP offerings across various departments,
as well as the re-alignment of the curriculum in
grades 6-12, will help to ensure that a
more challenging overall curriculum is
in place in order to achieve the goal of
college and career readiness.
The Components of Math
Understanding
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Conceptual
Understanding
Computation
&
Proce
dure
Problem
Solving
Calculus AB
Statistics
Biology
Chemistry
US History
Government
Environmental
Science
Literature
Language
Spanish
Language
French
Language
Music Theory
Studio Art
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
dies
English
Foreign Language
Arts
AP
Courses
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