NYS Mathematics and Common Core Standards
Introduction
Think to a time you were sitting in math class, did you ever say to yourself “What is this stuff?” “Why am I learning this?” “Where will I ever use this information?” As an educator, it is your role to be able to answer these questions for your students. Students gain a deep understanding when they are engaged with meaningful tasks. These meaningful tasks come from generative topics. Generative topics are concepts and ideas that can be applied in multiple domains, grasp the interest of the students and teacher, have acceptable resources, and offer a variety of connections to previous experiences.
Our focus for this unit will be to look at the role generative topics play in fostering the development of understanding with a connection to the NYS Mathematics Common Core Standards.
Objectives
- Identify and connect generative topics in the NYS Mathematics and Common Core Standards to teaching for understanding
By the end of the unit you should be able to...
- Identify the connection between generative topics and NYS Mathematics and Common Core Standards
- Understand how teaching for understanding will fall into place with the NYS Mathematics and Common Core Standards
Tasks
Read the two articles on generative topics. One reading was created by Harvard University's Active Learning Practice for Schools. They designed a unit on teaching for understanding, and this piece focuses on generative topics and how they will foster a deep understanding. The second article is an example of how a generative topic was used in a math classroom to engage students and bring them to a higher level of understanding. After you have gone through each reading write an analysis/ reflection of these articles. Think about topics you have taught and what you can do differently to foster a deeper understanding.
Next watch the video on the Common Core Standards and then read through the CC standards. Pay close attention to the introduction. How are these standards written to help teachers focus on a teaching for understanding and not teaching to the test?
Remember the topic you chose in the last unit. Does this qualify as a generative topic? Does it meet the standards of the common core?
Resources
Generative Topics and New Technologies
NYS Mathematics Common Core Standards
Sources
Blythe, T., et. al. (1998). Generative topics. Retrieved from Harvard University, Active Learning Practice for Schools Web site: http://learnweb.harvard.edu/alps/tfu/info3c.cfm Shifts in Math Practice: The Balance Between Skills and Understanding, YouTube website: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dUQtIXoptY Wiske, M.S., et. al. (2004). Generative topics and new technologies. In Teaching for understanding with technology (pp. 25-40). San Fransisco: Jossey-Bass.
Advance to Unit 3: Teach for Understanding Math
Return to Unit 1: What is Understanding?