Goals & Purpose
Session 1 – Introduction to the Standards of Mathematical Practice
- Learn how the Common Core State Standards were developed
- Recognize the difference between the Mathematical Content Standards and the Standards for Mathematical Practice
- Identify how the Standards for Mathematical Practice help students develop understanding of mathematics content
- Take stock of your current level of comfort with implementing the Common Core
- Begin to consider strategies for supporting students in developing proficiency with the SMPs
Session 2 – Overarching Habits of Mind (Practice Standards 1 and 6)
- Recognize the importance of students being able to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them
- Learn what it means for students to attend to precision
- Understand why these two practices are called "Overarching Habits of Mind" for doing mathematics
- See SMPs 1 and 6 in action through a classroom video and student work
- Explore strategies for supporting students in developing proficiency with SMPs 1 and 6
Session 3 – Reasoning and Explaining (Practice Standards 2 and 3)
- Learn what to look for as students reason abstractly and quantitatively
- Identify strategies for helping students learn to construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others
- Understand the importance of students being able to reason mathematically and explain their reasoning
- See SMPs 2 and 3 in action through a classroom video and student work
- Explore strategies for supporting students in developing proficiency with SMPs 2 and 3
Session 4 – Modeling and Using Tools (Practice Standards 4 and 5)
- Learn what to look for as students model with mathematics
- Identify strategies for helping students learn to use appropriate tools strategically
- Understand the importance of students being able to model with mathematics and use appropriate tools
- See SMPs 4 and 5 in action through a classroom video and student work
- Explore strategies for supporting students in developing proficiency with modeling and using tools
Session 5 – Seeing Structure and Generalizing (Practice Standards 7 and 8)
- Identify what to look for as students explore regularity and repeated reasoning in mathematics
- Learn some strategies for helping students learn to see and make use of mathematical structure
- Understand the importance of students being able to see mathematical structure and generalize about it
- See SMPs 7 and 8 in action through a classroom video and student work
- Explore strategies for supporting students in developing proficiency with SMPs 7 and 8
Session 6 – Standards for Mathematical Practice Summary
- Describe how the Mathematics Content Standards and the Standards for Mathematical Practice are different and how they complement each other
- Explain how the SMPs define how students engage in doing and learning mathematics
- Describe why, to be successful in mathematics, all students need to develop proficiency with the SMPs
- Read a classroom lesson vignette and consider where the Standards for Mathematical Practice are being developed or illustrated
- Reflect on strategies for supporting students in developing proficiency with the SMPs
- Take stock of what you've learned about the Common Core Standards for Mathematical Practice and how comfortable you feel with implementing them in your classroom
