Shifts in Mathematics Instruction

In March of 2011, Massachusetts adopted new standards for mathematics. These new standards, the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, incorporated the new national Common Core State Standards. The new standards outline for teachers and parents what students will need to be successful in the world of college and career.

The new Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks represent a shift from past curriculum documents and math instruction.  There are two sets of standards outlined in the document. One set of standards clearly outline the expectations for content by grades in K-8 and then by subject in grades 9-12. The second set of standards, the mathematical practices, describes how students apply and extend their mathematical learning.

Focus-In the past, the learning standards in mathematics were divided into 5 strands that were covered in all grade levels. The new standards are narrowed for students in grades K-8 with the goal being to deepen their knowledge of the content. In grades K-5, the focus is on arithmetic and the areas of measurement that support arithmetic. In the middle school, the focus is on the domains of Ratios and Proportional Reasoning and Expressions and Equations.

Coherence- The standards outline coherent progressions across the grades. Standards build upon students’ learning from previous grades and are not redundant.

Rigor-The standards expect rigor in students’ conceptual understanding, procedural skills and fluency, and the application of mathematics within context. A proficient math student will be able to make sense of math, not just do math.

Deep Understanding-Students develop a deep understanding of math through the process of solving problems. It becomes more than just getting the correct answer. Students solve problems in multiple ways using multiple models. They create arguments to justify their reasoning. Students communicate their ideas through writing and speaking to explain how they solved problems and to critique others’ solutions.

Fluency-There are specific calculations and functions students are expected to know with speed and accuracy.

The fluencies per grade are as follows:

Grade

Required Fluencies

K

Add/subtract within 5

1

Add/subtract within 10

2

Add/subtract within 20

Add/subtract within 100 (paper and pencil)

3

Multiple/divide within 100

Add/subtract within 1000

4

Add/subtract within 1,000,000

5

Multi-digit multiplication

6

Multi-digit division

Multi-digit decimal operations

7

Solve px+q=r, p(x+q)=r

8

Solve simple 2x2 systems by inspection

Stay tuned! Over the next coming weeks, we look forward to sharing more information about math.

For more information, please check the following resources:

• PTA Guides to Student Success-Outlines for each grade English and math expectations
• Review the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks
• Spotlight on the Common Core
• Parent Roadmaps for the Common Core
• Key Points in the Common Core

Follow Melrose Curriculum on Twitter @MelroseCurricul

Written by Margaret Adams, Director of Curriculum, and Christina Cardella, Department Chair for Mathematics

The purpose of the Melrose Public Schools Blog is to help provide parents information on the school programs related to the curriculum and instruction. We also hope to share ideas and strategies for parents to use at home to strengthen home and school connections.