Middle+School

= **~ MIDDL**﻿**E SCHOOL ~** = //Keep the enjo//﻿//yment in the learning - differentiate!//  //Follow these steps://

//Note: Steps 1 through 3 and Step 5 are good to use both vertically K through 12 and horizontally for any discipline.// //Step 4 links are specific for middle school math.//

=== **__Step 1__ - ****At the beginning of the school year create your curriculum map**   ===

From reading Heidi Hayes Jacobs book "//Mapping the Big Picture Integrating Curriculum & Assessment K-12"// we understand that curriculum maps align the your state standards with what you are to teach. A curriculum map is a work in progress, it is a tool to be used as a gude to examine curriculum, instruction, and assessment, they are not lesson plans. These maps should be used collaboratively with your peers to look for gaps and overlapping in the content, we are aiming for 100% engaged learning.

Connecticut State Department of Education Mathematics﻿ Trace Maps
When creating your curriculum map make sure to include
 * Topic - name of the unit
 * Big Ideas - the core concepts and processes that are the focus of the curriculum unit
 * Essential Questions - what we want students to think about relative to a content area
 * What students should know - content
 * What students should be able to do - skills
 * Assessement evidence - different ways in which students' learning may be measured

Effective July 7, 2010, the Connecticut State Board of Education adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in English language arts and mathematics (**[|Common Core State Standards]**). These standards establish what Connecticut’s students should know and be able to do as they progress through Grades K-12.

To help you create your curriculum map the Conneticut State Department of Educaiton created //﻿// === **﻿__Step 2__ ** - **Know your student's and their learning styles**   ===
 * //[|A Model for Mathematics Curriculum for Grades PreK-8]//**

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You should determine three things to get to know your students
 * 1) Determine the ability of your studnet's - look at past records of student performance, past experiences, etc
 * 2) Survey student interests
 * 3) Use our links under Learning Styles for your student to take a survey or
 * 4) More specific to middle school learning style tests
 * 5) Be aware of behavior management problems - in order to plan activities that require less structure you need to adjust tasks to help motivate all students to be engaged.
 * 6) Classroom Management Resource
 * 7) @Managing a Differentiated Classroom Environment

=== **__Step 3__ **  - **Use scienitific researched teaching strategies** ===

**﻿**

One size does not fit all, therefore, it is imperative that a variety of teaching strategies be used to differentiate lessons. Various types to consider are Erickson's concept instuction, direct instruction, cooperative learning, and interactive instruction.
 * 1) Concept-based instruction -
 * 2) Concepts and Conceptual Lenses ﻿ students see patterns and connections at a conceptual level as they relate the topic to the broder study framed by the lens
 * 3) Concept Based Instruction explained in a PowerPoint [[file:concept based instuction.ppt]]
 * 4) Direct Instruction
 * 5) Instructional Strategies Online - Direct Instruction - summarizes different methods
 * 6) Copperative Learning
 * 7) Teacher Vision offers resources
 * 8) Instructional Strategies Online - Cooperative Learning - offers a self-guided tutorial
 * 9) Laura Candler's Cooperative Learning Resources - offers free printables: Showdown Task Cards, Rallytable decimal writing, etc.
 * 10) More Cooperative Learning Strategies
 * 11) Interactive Instruction
 * 12) Instructional Strategies Online - Interactive Instruction - has instructions for 'Think, Pair, Share', Jigsaw, etc

[[image:pencil4_r.gif]]**__Step 4__ - Identify a variety of instructional activities**
**﻿**

Engaging students in the learning process using activities that motivate and challeng students to remain on task is not always easy. If you know your students you will ahve a better chance of keeping them on task to completion.

Middle School Math Lesson Plans
 * 1) TeAchnoly Math Lessons
 * 2) ﻿Middleschool.net
 * 3) Fractions w/ Bloom's Taxonomy
 * 4) Money w/ Bloom's Taxonomy
 * 5) Multiplication w/Bloom's Taxonomy
 * 6) Math Research Project

[[image:pencil4_r.gif]] **__Step 5__ - Assess or evaluate student progress**


Assessment also does not come in "one size fits all". Again, giving choices is necessary to ensure that all student learning types have an opportunity to be addressed. A variety of assessment techniques should be implemented, keeping in mind that the genre should be appropriate for the particular grade level you are working with.

"//An assessment genre is not always a developmental match with the age and stage of the learner. Although the content material of assessment becomes more advanced in higher grades, the genre often does not progress along with it//." —Jacobs (1997)
 * 1) Authentic Assessment Toolbox
 * 2) Balanced Assessment - Middle School Math
 * 3) Best Practices Pieces of the Puzzle - click the assessment link