What will be your learning in 2013?

If you ask any of the Toncheff kiddos what we did over Christmas break, they will tell you we did, "Puzzling."  This summer my favorite Uncle gave me a 4000 piece puzzle. My son was speeding through puzzles during summer break and my uncle thought he would like a challenge J.  We came back from Washington and my kids eagerly unpacked ALL of the pieces and started the task of building the edges. When school started, the puzzling came to a quick halt as the business of school, work and sports began absorbing our time. In the meantime, I had 4000 puzzle pieces all over my dining room (literally-I had 2 portable tables, 1 dining room table, and any open space in the room covered with tiny puzzle pieces).

Well, we learned that to finish the puzzle, we needed to set aside time every day to find at least 10 pieces so that maybe we could be done in a few years! When we set the time aside every day, the puzzle finally started to take shape (Picture above after 5 months)

You ask, why the puzzle story? Well, I think that implementing Common Core can sometimes be compared to completing a 4000 piece puzzle.  There are several components to Common Core implementation and there are days when I think it will take 3-5 years to truly see the impact of our work with Common Core.  In the meantime, I know that we have to learn a little bit more every day to get closer to the end result.

Where are you in terms of understanding the assessments (PARCC), instructional and content shifts for Common Core?  What part of the puzzle do you still need to find?  As we approach year two of implementation, I have seen a difference in the learning for ALL, teachers and students. Teachers are being reflective about their current practices and are learning at a significant rate!  As we begin the second semester of Year 1 implementation, what do you want to learn about Common Core today? 

·        If you want to learn more about the Mathematical Practices, you can sign up for an online course that will be offered this spring (watch for e-mails) 

·        If you are implementing Algebra, we will have a 1/2 day training on January 31^st. Contact your IL for details.    

·        Here is a list of the PUHSD Math PD opportunities this semester so please contact Mona if you are interested. 

Second Semester

January
·        District wide PLC 1/23
·         Algebra Lab 1/24
·        Assessment team 1/26
·        CCSS Algebra CT 1/26
·        Geometry PLC 1/30
·        CCSS Algebra training 1/31

February

·        District wide PLC 2/13

·        Common Core Math team 2/13

·        Algebra Lab 2/21

·        Geometry PLC 2/27

March

·        Algebra PLC 3/6

·        Algebra Lab 3/28

April

·        Algebra Lab 4/18

·        AP Mock Exam TBD

May

·        Algebra Lab 5/9

There are several learning opportunities this semester so find what is best for you and continue towards the path of completing the 4000 piece puzzle!

Gift of Thanks

If you follow this blog, you know that the PUHSD math teachers are implementing the Common Core standards and I want to just take a moment to say THANKS!  Thank you to the teachers who are giving their weekends, free evenings and moments to work on the common artifacts.  Everywhere I go, we get compliments on the caliber of the work.  Thank you to the teachers for creating a grading framework that gives students feedback on their CCSS progress.  This has been a process and teacher teams have worked collaboratively to overcome struggles and make it better.  Thank you to the teachers who work tirelessly every week to design, plan, implement and assess rich mathematical lessons that develop the mathematical practices.  These lessons are not always the easiest to create, yet collaborative teams are "getting the job done."  Thank you to the teachers that have worked on the common district assessments.  We have fair and balanced assessments (with only a few mistakes!) that assess the learning outcomes for every course.

As I reflect upon the successes (and challenges) of last semester, I just wanted to say thank you to the Algebra teachers for their passionate advocacy for our students.  I know that you do this work to serve the students of Phoenix Union High School District and I personally thank you.  Enjoy your time off and I look forward to the adventures of 2013.