2014-2015
2013-1014
View the Prezi presented at Parent math night,
by clicking on the image below:
Here are responses to Questions that were turned in at Parent Math Night:
Are teachers in all grades up to speed with CC?
Teachers have been receiving professional development training from the state and county since it started its implementation in each grade level. The county continues to provide staff in-service training on an ongoing basis.
How can parents set up ongoing communication with teachers about the math that was taught that week?
As always, it is best to contact your child’s teacher directly and discuss an effective means of communication for both parties.
How can parents help with homework if they don't understand the new way of doing things?
There are national and county resources that parents can access in order to help their child with homework.
Learn Zillion has many videos that are linked to the county S.M.A.R.T. pages. Please see the Resources page of our website for other links, as well.
How can parents make Common Core Math less time consuming?
As with anything new, time is needed to learn the new skills, concepts and routines. Less time will be required as parents start to slowly educate themselves on Common Core Math.
How can parents teach themselves the skills or look-up resources when they don't have time?
We do not expect parents to teach the various concepts. However, some parents have asked for resources to help them comprehend the methods so they can help their child. We are providing those resources for parents who would like to learn and assist with homework.
How can I get more explanation of the "thinking method"?
There are national and county resources that parents can access in order to help themselves learn the conceptual methods taught in Common Core Math. Please see the Resources page of our website to access these sites.
If my child doesn't know how to solve a problem or attack it, should I question it? Or are the problems coming home intended to make kids think outside of the box?
Students are taught various ways and methods to solve a problem. If your child is having difficulty solving a problem, please contact your child’s teacher.
Will the homework reflect what was taught in the classroom?
Homework will reflect what was recently taught in your child’s classroom and should be a balance between review and new concepts. If you have any questions about the homework, please contact your child’s math teacher directly.
Is the homework reflective of the skills taught in class?
See above
Will homework be aligned with what was taught in class?
See above
How can we get better directions and examples for homework or class work?
You can contact your child’s teacher directly or utilize the resources on our website.
Are timed quizzes counter productive to the new conceptual approach?
The purpose of timed quizzes is to measure fluency with math facts. Even though Common Core Math promotes conceptual learning early on, fluency and timed quizzes help build efficiency later once concepts are mastered. It is important to note that even though timed quizzes have a positive impact in this sense, it can also have a negative impact if over used.
Can parents get examples for any new strategies taught?
Learn Zillion has many videos to help teach strategies for concepts in Common Core math. The strategies and ideas are NOT NEW. However, because of an overreliance on procedures and algorithms, these strategies and ideas were overlooked. Once again you can go to the resources page of our website or contact your child’s teacher directly if you have any questions.
Are parents expected to be teaching and comprehending these various concepts?
We do not expect parents to be teaching the various concepts. However, some parents have asked for resources to help them comprehend the methods so they can help their child. We are providing those resources for parents who would like to learn and help their child.
If my child is at a disadvantage because she didn't start with CC in Kindergarten, how can we help her?
Speaking with your child’s teacher is always the first step to help with students who may have gaps. Please note that students in this situation are probably not at a disadvantage because transitions were implemented to ease the bumps and gaps. You can also access the resources on our website.
Could math teachers send a group email indicating which standard is being taught?
As stated in a previous question, it is always best to contact your child’s teacher directly and discuss an effective means of communication for both parties.
How will my child be evaluated and monitored on his/her progress?
Formative assessments are used by teachers to determine if students are still working towards, have mastered or have exceeded each standard. Formative assessments include teacher observation, student class assignments, student responses, projects, and tests/quizzes. Your child’s teacher will be able to share with you the type of formative assessments that were used to evaluate your child’s progress.
How can I learn more about the PARCC test?
Parents can go directly to the PARCC website to learn more about the assessment. You can also access it on the lower left hand link on the S.M.A.R.T. pages:
https://www.parcconline.org/
What is the CogAt?
The term CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test) is used for assessing the reasoning and problem-solving skills of students. The results of CogAT are generally used to predict the success of students in school. As reasoning abilities tend to develop gradually throughout a person’s lifetime, it develops at different rates. CogAT results of students of the same age indicate the level of understanding, reasoning and problem-solving abilities in chiefly three different areas – verbal, quantitative and non-verbal. However CogAT does not gauge other factors like motivation, effort and work habits that are also vital for school achievement. (Taken from the CogAt website.)
How will the CogAt be applied to GT students?
The CogAt is one measure of determining a student's eligibility for GT. All teachers, including GT teachers use formative assessments. The CogAt is one type of formative assessment used by GT teachers in combination with student performance, teacher observations from homeroom or math class, etc. The CogAt is one measure to help determine a 3rd grade student's placement for 4th grade GT math. It is also used as one measure to help determine a 5th grade student's placement for GT classes in middle school.
For a 4th grader who is in GT and never taught in Common Core, how will the teacher help to fill the gaps?
Students who qualify into the GT program usually do not have many gaps. If a teacher observes a student missing some skills, there are activities and lessons provided for that student. If there are gaps, it usually does not take long for a GT student to learn the concepts or skills .
Are 4th grade students being assessed for GT the same way as last year? If not, what is the new way?
The CogAt will be used for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students. As mentioned above, the CogAt is one formative assessment used to determine placement in addition to homeroom based performance, homeroom/math teacher observations, etc.
How can we get more parents present at Parent Math Night?
In an effort to ‘go green', Worthington advertised Parent Math Night through the school eNewsletters. We will revisit this question before the next Parent Math Night.
Will there be opportunities for more open discussions and questions?
Worthington is open to holding more sessions to discuss and answer questions with parents. This school year HCPSS offered discussion sessions for all parents in the county at 4 different high schools. This could possibly be offered again.
Teachers have been receiving professional development training from the state and county since it started its implementation in each grade level. The county continues to provide staff in-service training on an ongoing basis.
How can parents set up ongoing communication with teachers about the math that was taught that week?
As always, it is best to contact your child’s teacher directly and discuss an effective means of communication for both parties.
How can parents help with homework if they don't understand the new way of doing things?
There are national and county resources that parents can access in order to help their child with homework.
Learn Zillion has many videos that are linked to the county S.M.A.R.T. pages. Please see the Resources page of our website for other links, as well.
How can parents make Common Core Math less time consuming?
As with anything new, time is needed to learn the new skills, concepts and routines. Less time will be required as parents start to slowly educate themselves on Common Core Math.
How can parents teach themselves the skills or look-up resources when they don't have time?
We do not expect parents to teach the various concepts. However, some parents have asked for resources to help them comprehend the methods so they can help their child. We are providing those resources for parents who would like to learn and assist with homework.
How can I get more explanation of the "thinking method"?
There are national and county resources that parents can access in order to help themselves learn the conceptual methods taught in Common Core Math. Please see the Resources page of our website to access these sites.
If my child doesn't know how to solve a problem or attack it, should I question it? Or are the problems coming home intended to make kids think outside of the box?
Students are taught various ways and methods to solve a problem. If your child is having difficulty solving a problem, please contact your child’s teacher.
Will the homework reflect what was taught in the classroom?
Homework will reflect what was recently taught in your child’s classroom and should be a balance between review and new concepts. If you have any questions about the homework, please contact your child’s math teacher directly.
Is the homework reflective of the skills taught in class?
See above
Will homework be aligned with what was taught in class?
See above
How can we get better directions and examples for homework or class work?
You can contact your child’s teacher directly or utilize the resources on our website.
Are timed quizzes counter productive to the new conceptual approach?
The purpose of timed quizzes is to measure fluency with math facts. Even though Common Core Math promotes conceptual learning early on, fluency and timed quizzes help build efficiency later once concepts are mastered. It is important to note that even though timed quizzes have a positive impact in this sense, it can also have a negative impact if over used.
Can parents get examples for any new strategies taught?
Learn Zillion has many videos to help teach strategies for concepts in Common Core math. The strategies and ideas are NOT NEW. However, because of an overreliance on procedures and algorithms, these strategies and ideas were overlooked. Once again you can go to the resources page of our website or contact your child’s teacher directly if you have any questions.
Are parents expected to be teaching and comprehending these various concepts?
We do not expect parents to be teaching the various concepts. However, some parents have asked for resources to help them comprehend the methods so they can help their child. We are providing those resources for parents who would like to learn and help their child.
If my child is at a disadvantage because she didn't start with CC in Kindergarten, how can we help her?
Speaking with your child’s teacher is always the first step to help with students who may have gaps. Please note that students in this situation are probably not at a disadvantage because transitions were implemented to ease the bumps and gaps. You can also access the resources on our website.
Could math teachers send a group email indicating which standard is being taught?
As stated in a previous question, it is always best to contact your child’s teacher directly and discuss an effective means of communication for both parties.
How will my child be evaluated and monitored on his/her progress?
Formative assessments are used by teachers to determine if students are still working towards, have mastered or have exceeded each standard. Formative assessments include teacher observation, student class assignments, student responses, projects, and tests/quizzes. Your child’s teacher will be able to share with you the type of formative assessments that were used to evaluate your child’s progress.
How can I learn more about the PARCC test?
Parents can go directly to the PARCC website to learn more about the assessment. You can also access it on the lower left hand link on the S.M.A.R.T. pages:
https://www.parcconline.org/
What is the CogAt?
The term CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test) is used for assessing the reasoning and problem-solving skills of students. The results of CogAT are generally used to predict the success of students in school. As reasoning abilities tend to develop gradually throughout a person’s lifetime, it develops at different rates. CogAT results of students of the same age indicate the level of understanding, reasoning and problem-solving abilities in chiefly three different areas – verbal, quantitative and non-verbal. However CogAT does not gauge other factors like motivation, effort and work habits that are also vital for school achievement. (Taken from the CogAt website.)
How will the CogAt be applied to GT students?
The CogAt is one measure of determining a student's eligibility for GT. All teachers, including GT teachers use formative assessments. The CogAt is one type of formative assessment used by GT teachers in combination with student performance, teacher observations from homeroom or math class, etc. The CogAt is one measure to help determine a 3rd grade student's placement for 4th grade GT math. It is also used as one measure to help determine a 5th grade student's placement for GT classes in middle school.
For a 4th grader who is in GT and never taught in Common Core, how will the teacher help to fill the gaps?
Students who qualify into the GT program usually do not have many gaps. If a teacher observes a student missing some skills, there are activities and lessons provided for that student. If there are gaps, it usually does not take long for a GT student to learn the concepts or skills .
Are 4th grade students being assessed for GT the same way as last year? If not, what is the new way?
The CogAt will be used for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students. As mentioned above, the CogAt is one formative assessment used to determine placement in addition to homeroom based performance, homeroom/math teacher observations, etc.
How can we get more parents present at Parent Math Night?
In an effort to ‘go green', Worthington advertised Parent Math Night through the school eNewsletters. We will revisit this question before the next Parent Math Night.
Will there be opportunities for more open discussions and questions?
Worthington is open to holding more sessions to discuss and answer questions with parents. This school year HCPSS offered discussion sessions for all parents in the county at 4 different high schools. This could possibly be offered again.