The CDSBEO and it’s Board of Trustees have released details regarding their Math Strategy.
In an effort to improve mathematics achievement across the Board, curriculum has been developed that is aimed at ensuring a more supportive math learning environment for students including ideas like a math puzzle of the week.
Students describe the puzzles as a fun and engaging way to learn mathematics and solve problems and Trustee Brent Laton says he knows first-hand that the Puzzle of the Week is an excellent strategy.
The Board is continuously trying to improve the learning environment for it’s students and in part of the news release from their meeting, they explain the math strategy:
The CDSBEO has created a Numeracy Learning Cycle that has been in place since 2017. There are a number of integral components that allow educators and school leaders to come together to collaborate and share best practices around mathematics education. These components include: the Principal Advisory Committee, a leadership steering committee unique to CDSBEO in Eastern Ontario; the Leaders in the Middle sessions, which brings together principals, special education teachers and mathematics leads from each school to provide guidance and resources to help school teams increase student achievement in mathematics; the Regional Math Sessions, a joint effort between the Curriculum and Special Education Departments that emphasizes both the mathematic curriculum expectations and essential strategies and supports for all students, as well as students with additional learning needs; and, the school-based Divisional Math Meetings, which take place three times per year, and give school teams an opportunity to examine the strategies discussed at the Regional Meetings, as well as the Leaders in the Middle sessions. These professional development opportunities are an excellent means to build teaching capacity, and to encourage educator collaboration and learning.
A number of mathematics resources have also been developed by the board to help ensure supportive math learning for students.
“The Curriculum Department’s Weekly Tips highlights resources that can be used in the classroom,” explained Curriculum Consultant Patrick McLeod. “Over the past two years, this weekly email has included a math puzzle of the week. The purpose of the puzzle is to have students think critically about mathematics and how they can use their knowledge of computation to solve the value of each puzzle piece. Amazingly, these puzzles have taken off, and students are now building their own puzzles to share with their peers.”
Students have described the puzzles as a fun and engaging way to learn mathematics and solve problems.
The Curriculum Department also released Olympic themed resources in the areas of numeracy, literacy, French as a second language, Indigenous studies and Kindergarten. The math team provided schools with math questions for every strand in the primary, junior and intermediate divisions. Teachers appreciated these resources as it demonstrated ways to make cross-curricular connections between mathematical concepts and an important global and cultural event.
Technology is also used across the Board to help engage students in math learning. Tools include Dreambox, Math is Visual, and Explain Everything. These tools help students to assess and learn math through varied means, including images, visuals, videos, spoken words, games, and other activities.
Other events and professional development opportunities have been provided for educators at all levels, including the Early Years Math Collaborative Inquiry, Junior Numeracy Skill Builder Sessions, the Grade 9 Numeracy Foundations Course, Senior Math Tournaments, and Parent Math Nights to help engage parents in math learning.