Community Update, July 30, 2021
Dear Hastings Families, Faculty and Staff,
This week’s update focuses on important summer work by our teachers to advance coherence in mathematics content and instruction. Teachers of middle school mathematics, including general educators and special educators, met together this week to learn more deeply about Big Ideas and prepare for implementation with students.
Day 1
On the first day, we began our work as a team by reviewing the shared vision indicators created by the K-12 Mathematics Committee. We were joined by a Big Ideas consultant, whose role was to help the group to understand the range of resources available to educators, students, and families. With her guidance, we took a tour of the featured components, explored chapter resources, and examined assignment elements. Teachers were assigned a thought partner, engaged in a scavenger hunt within the resources together, and facilitated portions of the work session to strengthen colleagues’ understanding and expertise.
Day 2
On the second day, we agreed on vocabulary we would use with the resource. The aligned naming convention should ensure consistency for students within and across the grades, as well as help students focus on mathematical processes and practices rather than figuring out what things are called. Teachers then engaged in a planning session where they read through lessons, considered why they were designed that way, and identified resources needed to facilitate them. Guiding questions anchoring the planning session focused on materials, pacing, student readiness, and differentiation.
Day 3
On the final day, the team developed shared agreements for implementation and a plan for continued professional learning over the course of the school year. Support for implementation and evaluation of Big Ideas will occur through regular cycles of collaborative planning and feedback. We are well-positioned to implement Big Ideas this autumn and are excited for the opportunity to enhance coherence across the grades as we support student-centered mathematics instruction.
It has been my pleasure to serve as Interim Superintendent of Schools for the month of July. I look forward to supporting Dr. McKersie’s leadership of our district, which starts officially on August 1. He and I have already been working closely together and we look forward to a wonderful year ahead!
Best regards,
Melissa Szymanski
Interim Superintendent of Schools (7/1/21 - 7/31/21)
Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum & Instruction
