Building Learning Communities for Mathematics and Science Literacy

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Partnerships

 


Curriculum Support The Detroit Mathematics and Science Centers programs support core curriculum and alignment activities that are informed by national and state standards in mathematics and science. Curriculum guides for mathematics and science, complete with instructional strategies and comprehensive alignment elements, have been distributed to mathematics and science teachers throughout the district. The Teaching Learning Collaborative in Science provides an opportunity for further science curriculum alignment.

Accomplishments

Standard-Based Innovations - The curriculum promotes inquiry-based, hands-on instruction. Standard-based innovations include: FOSS Kits, TERC Investigations, Science Technology for Children (STC), Insights, Connected Mathematics, Core Plus, Project AIMS, Science Videodiscovery, State of Michigan Science Lessons, Mathematics from Many Cultures, Science Sleuth, Center for Learning Technologies, African Centered Mathematics, Jasper Woodbury Video Laserdiscs, Carnegie Cognitive Tutor Algebra Program, and other curriculum materials.

Curriculum Development - Pacing charts and curriculum guides have been updated and aligned with state and national standards for all mathematics and science courses K-12.

Bingwa CD ROMs - African Centered CD-ROM site licenses were provided to all elementary and middle schools. The software for grades K-2, 3-5 and 6-8 was adapted from the DPS African Centered Mathematics Lessons and is designed to enhance the implementation of these lessons.

Core Curriculum Reviews - Mathematics and Science Curriculum Alignment Panels for elementary, middle and high school levels were convened to review the core curriculum outcomes for alignment to state and national mathematics and science standards.

TERC Manipulative Kits - Additional manipulative Kits were provided for elementary schools to facilitate and enhance the implementation of the TERC Investigations replacement units. Distribution included grades K-2 and 3-5 kits.

Mathematics Video Laser Discs - The following video laser discs have been provided city-wide and correlated to the curriculum in the instruction sequences:

  • Windows on Math - Grade 3
  • Adventures of Jasper Woodbury

Mathematics Assessment Resource Service at Michigan State University (MARS) - Through a partnership with the MARS program at Michigan State University, assessment instruments have been developed and teacher leaders were inserviced in standards-based curricula and assessment in elementary, middle, and high school mathematics.

Elementary Science Assessment - Teachers were inserviced during a series of three 3-hour sessions on strategies to improve student achievement on standardized tests and assessments.

Summer Learning Academy 2001 Curriculum Materials - Teacher and student materials were provided for mathematics that correlate with the DPS Performance Standards, the Michigan Curriculum Framework, and the Essential Skills Achievement Tests for grades 1-8. Lesson Plan Guides that included assessment and reinforcement activities were developed to assist teachers in implementing the curriculum. Selected manipulative materials were also provided. Elementary lessons were designed around the following TERC Investigations Units used as part of the regular year mathematics program:

Grade 1 - Number Games and Story Problems
Grade 2 - Putting Together and Taking Apart
Grade 3 - Landmarks in the Hundreds
Grade 4 - Arrays and Shares
Grade 5 - Building on Numbers You Know

The Summer Math Program, by Great Resources was provided for Grades 6, 7, and 8. In addition, the resource, Mathematics Assessment-Cases and Discussion Questions, was provided for use by the site-based, professional study teams (PST) at each school. The cases are designed to raise issues and pose dilemmas about assessment for teacher discussion and reflection.

Summer Learning Academy Materials - Science

  • Grades 1-8 - $500 to spend on consumable science materials per Elementary and Middle School building.
  • Grade 3 - Curriculum Guides, Structures of Life FOSS kits and videos.
  • Grade 4 - Curriculum Guides, Structures of Life FOSS kits and videos.
  • Grade 5 - Curriculum Guides, Eyewitness-Reptiles & Survival FOSS kits and videos.
  • Grade 6 - Curriculum Guides, Water model and Water set.
  • Grade 7 - Curriculum Guides, Water model and video.
  • Grade 8 - Curriculum Guides, Water model and Map of Michigan.
  • Grades 9-12 - Curriculum Guides, Earth Science - Geology, Earth Science - Meteorology, ABC's of Chemistry.

Michigan Mathematics Curriculum Framework - All K-12 teachers of mathematics were provided with the following documents:

Mathematics Teaching and Learning Sample Activities - Including content Standards and Benchmarks.

Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) - Mathematics Assessment Model. This document is designed to communicate the substance and format of the new MEAP mathematics assessment for 2001-2002.

Calculator Class Sets - Additional classroom sets of calculators were provided to all elementary schools.

ESAT Test Development - Essential Skills Attainment Tests (ESAT) were developed for grades 1-8 and 11.

Michigan Science Curriculum Framework - All K-12 teachers of science were provided with the following documents:

  • Science Teaching and Learning Sample Activities - Including content standards and benchmarks.

  • Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) - Science Model. - This document communicates the principles and format of the new MEAP science assessment for 2001-2002.

  • User Friendly Writing to Learn Science - Teachers use tested activities that effectively use expressive writing to further concept comprehension. Teachers learn to effectively manage writing evaluations without becomming swamped with paperwork.

Science Teacher Leader Series - This series focused on the improvement of MEAP and the delivery of science instruction. The Trainer of Trainers model was implemented as participants were instructed to disseminate all information obtained during the sessions to their colleagues at the building level. Workshop topics included Constructing Benchmarks, Inquiry in the Science Classroom, Constructed Responses, Embedded Assessment Practices, Writing in Science, MEAP Investigation, Expectations for MEAP 2002 and the Michigan Curriculum Framework for Science.

Benchmark Clarifications Project - One hundred twenty-six (126) DPS teachers of mathematics, K-12, participated in a statewide field review of the mathematics Benchmark Clarifications Project. This review was hosted by the Detroit Mathematics and Science Centers.

Elementary, middle and high school teachers and administrators participate in the statewide field review of the mathematics Benchmark Clarification Project.

The Carnegie Cognitive Tutor Algebra Program - This program was provided to support the transition for eighth grade and ninth grade at-risk students at the following schools: Crosman Alternative, Detroit City High School, Frederick Douglass High School and Academy, Murray Wright High School, Northwestern High School, Trombly Alternative High School and Cass Technical High School. Twenty-seven (27) hours of professional development have been provided to 25 teachers to support the implementation of this program. The Carnegie Algebra Program is also offered in the regular for-credit high school summer program through a City of Detroit year-round Youth Employment and Training Program grant. A study group of the seven (7) Carnegie summer school teachers met weekly.