Students Gaining Students Gaining Math Math PowerPower at Bloomington at Bloomington High SchoolHigh School1202 E. Locust

Bloomington, IL 61701

Nancy Norem Powell, Lead Teacher – Mathematics – powelln@district87.org

www.district87.org/staff/powelln

The Math Department Goals:The Math Department Goals:1.1. Build positive Build positive

relationships with relationships with studentsstudents

2.2. Make math meaningful so Make math meaningful so that ALL students will that ALL students will

increase their increase their understanding and skills in understanding and skills in mathematicsmathematics

be able to apply math in a be able to apply math in a variety of curricular variety of curricular contexts.contexts.

The Goal: Build positive relationships with students and make Build positive relationships with students and make math meaningful so that ALL students will increase their math meaningful so that ALL students will increase their understanding and skills in mathematics and are able to apply math understanding and skills in mathematics and are able to apply math in a variety of curricular contexts.in a variety of curricular contexts.

How we’re doing this....1.1. Teachers build positive Teachers build positive

relationships with their students relationships with their students

They believe that EVERY child can They believe that EVERY child can learn math and tell themlearn math and tell them

They know that students learn in They know that students learn in different ways and at different times different ways and at different times and give them tools and and give them tools and opportunities to do soopportunities to do so

They help students understand that They help students understand that making mistakes is a normal way to making mistakes is a normal way to gain knowledgegain knowledge

How we’re doing this....2.2. Teachers collaborate with their Teachers collaborate with their

colleagues and create lessons colleagues and create lessons using a using a variety of contextsvariety of contexts and and learning styleslearning styles infused with infused with

TechnologyTechnology ((Internet, Geometer’sInternet, Geometer’s Sketchpad, Fathom, Moodle,etc.), Sketchpad, Fathom, Moodle,etc.),

Hands-on activities Hands-on activities (making (making direct and indirect measurements, reading blueprints, direct and indirect measurements, reading blueprints, completing projects, etc.), and completing projects, etc.), and

Use of manipulativesUse of manipulatives (algebra tiles, geometric solids (algebra tiles, geometric solids and tools, miras, mirrors, teacher-made manipulatives, etc.)and tools, miras, mirrors, teacher-made manipulatives, etc.)

The Goal: Build positive relationships with students and make math meaningful so that ALL Build positive relationships with students and make math meaningful so that ALL students will increase their understanding and skills in mathematics and are able to apply students will increase their understanding and skills in mathematics and are able to apply math in a variety of curricular contexts.math in a variety of curricular contexts.

How we're doing this....3.3.TeachersTeachers provide instruction provide instruction symbolicallysymbolically, , graphicallygraphically, , numericallynumerically, and , and verbally verbally and have and have studentsstudents expressing expressing their mathematics their mathematics symbolicallysymbolically, , graphicallygraphically, , numericallynumerically, and , and verballyverbally with and withoutwith and withouttechnology.technology.

The Goal: Build positive relationships with students and make math meaningful so that Build positive relationships with students and make math meaningful so that ALL students will increase their understanding and skills in mathematics and are able to ALL students will increase their understanding and skills in mathematics and are able to apply math in a variety of curricular contexts.apply math in a variety of curricular contexts.

How we're doing this....4.4. Teachers provide real-world applications in Teachers provide real-world applications in

lessons and activities vialessons and activities via Hands-on activities Hands-on activities (i.e. using (i.e. using

blueprints, product development, making blueprints, product development, making direct and indirect measurements, etc.),direct and indirect measurements, etc.),

Futures Channel (Futures Channel (http://www.thefutureschannel.com/index.php

)) and other movies ,and other movies , Word problems, Word problems, WorkKeys problems/KeyTrain WorkKeys problems/KeyTrain

Software, etc. Software, etc. The Goal: Build positive relationships with students and make math meaningful so that ALL students will Build positive relationships with students and make math meaningful so that ALL students will increase their understanding and skills in mathematics and are able to apply math in a variety of curricular increase their understanding and skills in mathematics and are able to apply math in a variety of curricular contexts.contexts.

How we're doing this....

5.5. AssessmentsAssessments include include written explanations,written explanations, multiple choice multiple choice

questions, andquestions, and projects to apply projects to apply

mathematics - mathematics - projects are done by projects are done by students individually and in teams, etc.students individually and in teams, etc.

The Goal: Build positive relationships with students and make math meaningful so that Build positive relationships with students and make math meaningful so that ALL students will increase their understanding and skills in mathematics and are able to ALL students will increase their understanding and skills in mathematics and are able to apply math in a variety of curricular contexts.apply math in a variety of curricular contexts.

How we're doing this....

Standardized Standardized TestingTesting

Local MathLocal MathAssessmentAssessment

DepartmentDepartmentexamsexams

School School AndAnd

District GoalsDistrict Goals

pre- and post-tests, quarter and semester examspre- and post-tests, quarter and semester exams

We make Data Driven Decisions based onWe make Data Driven Decisions based on

The Goal: Build positive relationships with students and make math meaningful so that ALL students will increase Build positive relationships with students and make math meaningful so that ALL students will increase their understanding and skills in mathematics and are able to apply math in a variety of curricular contexts.their understanding and skills in mathematics and are able to apply math in a variety of curricular contexts.

SSchoolchool and and DDistrict istrict GGoalsoalsGoal 1:Goal 1: Improved test scores for all students in Improved test scores for all students in

all populationsall populationsGoal 2:Goal 2: 80% of all students in all populations 80% of all students in all populations

enrolled in “core” classesenrolled in “core” classesGoal 3:Goal 3: Proportionate representation in all Proportionate representation in all

classes and levelsclasses and levelsGoal 4:Goal 4: Proportionate representation in all Proportionate representation in all

honors and awards presentationshonors and awards presentationsGoal 5:Goal 5: 90% of all students will earn one year’s 90% of all students will earn one year’s

credit in one yearcredit in one year

Goal 1:Goal 1: Improved test scores for all students in all Improved test scores for all students in all populationspopulations

Goal 1:Goal 1: Improved test scores for all students in all Improved test scores for all students in all populationspopulations

PSAE 11th Grade Mathematics

63.6 57.6 55.2 50.3 54.5 62.3M/E

Goal 1:Goal 1: Improved test scores for all students in all Improved test scores for all students in all populationspopulations

20.4

48.1

29.6

1.9

30.4

50.0

19.6

30.3

48.7

19.7

1.3

29.6

48.0

22.4

17.9

50.5

28.4

3.2

20.7

46.3

30.5

2.4

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

70.0

80.0

90.0

100.0

Per

cen

tag

e

01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07

Year

PSAE History 11th Grade Math Low Income Subgroup

A Warning Below Meets Exceeds

Goal 2:Goal 2: 80% of all students in all populations enrolled 80% of all students in all populations enrolled in “core” classesin “core” classes

Goal 5:Goal 5: 90% of all students will earn one year’s 90% of all students will earn one year’s credit in one yearcredit in one year

Low Income (1993 – 2006)Low Income (1993 – 2006)

How we're doing this....7.7. Teachers provide students with Teachers provide students with Carefully crafted lessonsCarefully crafted lessons Timely feedbackTimely feedback, , Study skillsStudy skills, , Test taking strategiesTest taking strategies,, and continue toand continue to Communicate with parentsCommunicate with parents, ,

and and Build positive relationships Build positive relationships

with students and parentswith students and parents

The Goal: Build positive relationships with students and make math meaningful so that ALL Build positive relationships with students and make math meaningful so that ALL students will increase their understanding and skills in mathematics and are able to apply math students will increase their understanding and skills in mathematics and are able to apply math in a variety of curricular contexts.in a variety of curricular contexts.

TTest-est-TTaking aking

SStrategiestrategies Determine if there is a Determine if there is a penalty for wrong answers, penalty for wrong answers, if not, make sure to answer if not, make sure to answer all of the questionsall of the questions

Eliminate all of the Eliminate all of the obviously wrong answersobviously wrong answers

Code questions that are Code questions that are skipped till the endskipped till the end

Figure out how much time Figure out how much time there is for each question there is for each question and at what time you and at what time you should be halfway should be halfway throughthrough

The Goal: Build positive relationships with students and make math meaningful so that ALL Build positive relationships with students and make math meaningful so that ALL students will increase their understanding and skills in mathematics and are able to apply math in students will increase their understanding and skills in mathematics and are able to apply math in a variety of curricular contexts.a variety of curricular contexts.

How we're doing this....8.8. Teachers support Teachers support

Xtreme Math Xtreme Math (for all (for all students),students), Project Project SuccessSuccess (for (for students who get students who get special services) and special services) and provide other outside provide other outside resources (office resources (office hours, websites, etc.)hours, websites, etc.)

The Goal: Build positive relationships with students and make math meaningful so that ALL Build positive relationships with students and make math meaningful so that ALL students will increase their understanding and skills in mathematics and are able to apply math students will increase their understanding and skills in mathematics and are able to apply math in a variety of curricular contexts.in a variety of curricular contexts.

XXTremeTreme Math Math

After school program Mondays – Thursdays from After school program Mondays – Thursdays from 2:25 – 3:152:25 – 3:15

Open and Free to all students, however targeted/Open and Free to all students, however targeted/invited students are students with invited students are students with math PLAN test scores between 15-18math PLAN test scores between 15-18 Students enrolled in geometry as juniorsStudents enrolled in geometry as juniors Minority or free/reduced lunchMinority or free/reduced lunch

A drink and a snack are providedA drink and a snack are provided An after school bus and city bus tokens are providedAn after school bus and city bus tokens are provided

A Program for BHS students who are striving to achieve their full A Program for BHS students who are striving to achieve their full potential in order to qualify for better opportunities in education potential in order to qualify for better opportunities in education and careers.and careers.

The Goal: Build positive relationships with students and make math meaningful so that ALL Build positive relationships with students and make math meaningful so that ALL students will increase their understanding and skills in mathematics and are able to apply math in students will increase their understanding and skills in mathematics and are able to apply math in a variety of curricular contexts.a variety of curricular contexts.

XXTremeTreme Math Math Administrative support is very important Administrative support is very important

for students and teachers (recruiting & for students and teachers (recruiting & encouraging students to participate, encouraging students to participate, providing resources and time for teachers, providing resources and time for teachers, etc.)etc.)

2 Math Department teachers are in the 2 Math Department teachers are in the computer lab during this time to develop computer lab during this time to develop positive relationships with positive relationships with students and to provide activities/ students and to provide activities/ homework helphomework help

ACT Test Prep, Key Train, and other math ACT Test Prep, Key Train, and other math software are available for students to usesoftware are available for students to use

The Goal: Build positive relationships with students and make math meaningful so that ALL Build positive relationships with students and make math meaningful so that ALL students will increase their understanding and skills in mathematics and are able to apply math in students will increase their understanding and skills in mathematics and are able to apply math in a variety of curricular contexts.a variety of curricular contexts.

Build positive Build positive relationships with relationships with

students and students and Make math Make math

meaningful so meaningful so that ALL students that ALL students will increase their will increase their

understanding understanding and skills in and skills in

mathematics and mathematics and are able to apply are able to apply math in a variety math in a variety

of curricular of curricular contexts.contexts.

Remember. . Remember. . ..All students need Math Power!All students need Math Power!

Obstacles are what you see Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off when you take your eyes off of your goals!of your goals!

- Studebaker - Studebaker

Check out this interesting article and other research on this site… From High School to the Future: ACT Preparation--From High School to the Future: ACT Preparation--

Too Much, Too LateToo Much, Too Late5/2008. Elaine Allensworth, Macarena Correa and Steve Ponisciakhttp://ccsr.uchicago.edu/content/publications.php

Futures Channel - career movies available on the Futures Channel - career movies available on the

Internet (Internet (http://www.thefutureschannel.com/index.php))