Monday, November 18, 2013

NC Final Exams 2013-14

On November 18, 2013, we received information regarding NC Final Exams for this year.  Please find these test specifications at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/accountability/common-exams/specifications/

Thursday, October 31, 2013

NC DPI Secondary Update
Johannah Maynor, NCDPI Secondary Consultant
Dr. Jennifer Curtis, NCDPI Math Section Chief

In Middle School Math codes in PowerSchool must be adapted and used to correctly identify the courses.  The Math I code would be 2103 2X0.  The "X" used to be a "Y" to designate that this was a high school course offered in middle school. However, in PowerSchool this will need to be changed to be an X.  If we used a "Y" code then the student would not receive high school credit.  According to the update, a separate code will be used to show that the course was taught in middle school.

Math Resources for Gifted Students in Middle School
http://ncaigirp.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/Mathematics+6-8

High School Courses/Codes
Math Courses for 2013-14
  • Math I (2103)
  • Math II (2201)
  • Math III (2301)
Bridge Courses (elective credit except for substitution pathway)
  • Foundations of Math I (2050)
  • Foundations of Math II (2051)
  • Foundations of Math III (2052)
In this 2013-14 school year, all students should be enrolled in Math I (middle school students as well as high school students).

By the year 2015-16 and beyond, the math course sequence for all students will be Math I (2103), Math II (2201), and Math III (2301).  As of right now, it is unclear what courses will be available in 2014-15.

High School Math Assessment
Available Assessments

  • Math I (EOC)
  • Math II
  • Math III
  • 2003/CCSSM Geometry
  • 2003 CCSSM Algebra II
  • CCSSM Geometry (from Common Core Appendix A)
  • CCSSM Algebra II (from Common Core Appendix A)
  • CCSSM Integrated III (from Common Core Appendix A)
  • 2003 Discrete
  • 2003 AFM
  • 2003 Pre-Calculus
Final Exam Specifications (http://www.ncpublicschools.org/accountability/common-exams/specifications)

  • Final Exam Specifications with regards to Constructed Responses have not been updated as of 10/31/13.  We will need to continue to monitor that.


Math I, II, and III Resources from Meredith University and NC DPI

This week I hope to be able to add some blog comments and resources from the NC Council of Teachers of Mathematics conference.  The first session I attended was facilitated by Tim Hendrix of Meredith University.  They have delivered several professional developments and created a number of resources.  Their resources are housed on their website at

www.tinyurl.com/math123

Monday, October 21, 2013

Math II Resource

Thanks to Laura Lingle at Dixon High School for this find!


Math Grant $4000 from NCTM- Due Spring 2014

Here is information on a math grant through NCTM for $4000.

Math- show connection of math to other fields Deadline June 1, 2014
NCTM
Teacher of math   $4,000

Friday, August 9, 2013

New High School Documents for Onslow County

You can now find the documents for High School Math (Foundations of Algebra, Foundations of Geometry, Special Topics in Math, and Advanced Functions and Modeling) at http://mathunpacking.weebly.com/high-school-math.html.

Thank you to all the teachers who came together to create these!

 http://mathunpacking.weebly.com/high-school-math.html

Fast Summer

Hello Math Friends,

Wow, this has been a full summer with lots of opportunities.

Back in June many of our high school math teachers came together to pull together suggestions for new courses in Foundations of Algebra and Foundations in Geometry while another group worked on curriculum materials for Advanced Functions and Modeling.  Those materials will be posted very soon (this weekend if nothing else).

We also had a couple teachers attend Math Education Leadership Training at Appalachian State.  We look forward to growing this new partnership.

Each high school will have a site license for Penda Learning for the 2013-14 school year. If you were not able to attend the Penda overview, check out www.pendalearning.com.  This online tool allows teachers and students to have one more resource for learning and practicing math content. It also includes science content, so please share information with your science teachers as well.  Each high school had a math representative at the Penda overview, but we will also do a refresher and send out more information.

For our elementary math teachers, I had a chance to receive and give some training on AMC Anywhere.  This tool is based on Kathy Richardson's work on the importance of building true number sense.  This is something that we might want to explore further.

Much more to come as we ramp up for the 2013-14 school year.  

First 2013-14 DPI Secondary Math Webinar Opportunity

Join us for our first secondary Mathematics webinar for the 2013-2014 school year.  We have a Math I, II, and III communication brochure ready for your distribution!  Along with highlighting the brochure, we will discuss transitioning to Math I, Math II, and Math III and out of the former high school pathways.  We will also share additional resource documents and sites.



Secondary Math Update
Join us for a Webinar on August 28
Click Here to Register
http://img.gotomeeting.com/g2mimages/webinar/themes/basic/button_registerNow.gif
Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/684334696
Secondary Math Update

Title:
Secondary Math Update
Date:
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Time:
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM EDT

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server
Mac®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.6 or newer
Mobile attendees
Required: iPhone®, iPad®, Android™ phone or Android tablet

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Mayim Bialik's comments at NCTM


Advice to math teachers for inspiring their students to take more math classes:
  • The more our students receive opportunities to deeply understand Mathematical concepts, the more they will get to love it. Inspire passion.
  • Being a scientist has changed my world outlook. I see beauty in things and appreciation the universe for it’s tremendous beauty. Being a scientist or an engineer can provide you with a broad and exciting platform from which to view the world.
  • It’s helpful to have female faces that promote the STEM field for other women. There is a rich quality of life provided by this profession that should be attainable by all.
  • I try to drive home the point that STEM training is important simply because the it’s fastest growing job market and training is likely to pave a course for solid employment and job security
  • Pursue your dream and the stay the course.
Thanks to the Rubicon team for taking these notes and pasting them on their chat site: http://coretalk.rubicon.com/2013/04/18/core-talk-power-of-just-one-teacher-impresses-at-nctm-2013/

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

High School Math Symposium 2013

Visit http://mathunpacking.weebly.com/high-school-math-symposium-2013.html for all the details about our Onslow County schools High School Math Symposium from June 17-20 at Jacksonville High School.

Monday, April 1, 2013

Honors Course Implementation


Many of you have been asking about Honors Courses this year and moving forward.  We have a plan developed, but have been waiting on final word from NC DPI about the Implementation process.  Last week we received information that will allow us to move forward.  We will be working with principals, and teachers in each subject area and from each school to develop our new Honors guides.  I will be posting more information soon, but be especially on the lookout after the April 16th overview webinar.

Here is the message from DPI including the wiki where you can see the DPI schedule as well as the links to register for any of the webinars.

Honors Implementation Training Schedule
Training for the Honors Level Course Rubric and Implementation Process will consist of the following components:
·  An overview webinar – April 16, 2013
·  Recorded video presentations for each content area available by mid-April
·  Two general Question & Answer (Q & A) webinars focused on the course rubric and review process – May 2nd and May 28th, 2013
·  Six Q & A webinars each focusing on a specific content area during the month of May
·  Honors Implementation Wikispace  - www.honorsimplementation.ncdpi.wikispaces.net
The full training schedule with registration web links is posted on the wiki www.honorsimplementation.ncdpi.wikispaces.net.

 Questions, please contact:

Linda Brannan, M.Ed, NBCT
Student Support Services Consultant
Curriculum & Instruction Division
NC Department of Public Instruction
Raleigh, NC
919 807-3834

Measures of Student Learning Update (Common Exams)


The Measures of Student Learning: NC's Common Exams website has been updated with some important new documents.  As always, we appreciate your assistance with letting folks in the field know about these new resources.
1.        Spring 2013 Common Exam Implementation Guide: I've attached the new guide here, and it is also accessible at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/effectiveness-model/measures/implementation-guide.pdf.
2.        Spring 2013 Sample Items: Again, I've attached here.  The newest set of sample items (along with all the previously released items) can be found at: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/effectiveness-model/measures/sample-items/.
3.        Revised Assessment Specifications:  I have not attached those files here as there are about fifteen of them.  All of the specifications have been revised to reflect shortening of the exams.  They can be found at: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/effectiveness-model/measures/specifications/. 
As always, please let me know if you need any additional information.

All the best,

Jenn


Direct Questions to:


Jennifer Preston
Race to the Top Project Coordinator for Teacher and Leader Effectiveness

[P] 919.807.4187
[C] 845.797.2361
[F] 919.807.4000

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Reading Released Tests


I know this is reading, but it impacts many of us...

There are now printable versions of the released ELA/Reading End-of-Grade and English II tests on the released forms web page. These versions contain test items and selections that the NCDPI has been granted copyright permission to print. The missing selections can be viewed online in the full versions of the tests.





Monday, March 11, 2013

Distinguishing Between Linear and Exponential Growth in Math I and Beyond Webinar


The topic for the next webinar in the NCSSM Common Core State Standards Mathematics series presented by Maria Hernandez will be  Distinguishing Between Linear and Exponential Growth in Math I and Beyond.
In this session we will explore a real-world application that can help students distinguish between linear and exponential growth.  We will share a data problem involving population growth and food production.  The main concepts are accessible to Math I students, but we will also introduce more advanced methods of data analysis that can be used in courses beyond Math I.  Bring your TI 83 or TI 84 calculator.  
This session will be Thursday, March 21st from 3:15- 4:15 PM.  

To register to participate, go to   http://tinyurl.com/NCSSM-CCSSMathWebinar

Carole Stern
Outreach Specialist
North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Constructed Response Released Items

The NC Department of Public Instruction has released some Constructed Response Items to help us as we continue to move forward.
 “The Department of Public Instruction has released the following constructed response items from the fall 2012 administrations of the Measures of Student Learning: NC's Common Exams. These test items may be used by school systems to help acquaint students with constructed response items on the Common Exams. These materials must not be used for personal or financial gain.”

I have posted the files to our Math Unpacking website at http://mathunpacking.weebly.com/secondary-math-contacts.html

These are also at the DPI website at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/effectiveness-model/measures/released-exams/

Thursday, February 21, 2013

8 Videos that Prove Math is Awesome

Check these videos out

http://mashable.com/2013/02/19/8-cool-applications-math/

Sharing of Weblinks


Thanks to Kati Rangel for sharing these links!

 These are the links from the NCTM email.  I haven't had time yet to spend much time on them.


Common Core Resources by CCSSO

This is a strong resource developed by the CCSSO (Chief Council of State School Officers).  This is the same group that commissioned the Common Core Standards.  Lots of good resources, videos, and links.

Thanks to Dwayne Snowden for sharing this!

http://www.ccsso.org/documents/2012/common_core_resources.pdf

EnVision Math Resource

Thanks to Crystal Cox for sharing this link.

If you are an elementary teacher using enVision Math (by Pearson), this looks like a nicely organized site:

http://www.techcoachcorner2.org/Envision%20Math%20Resources/firstgrade.htm#Topic

Support Videos for Common Core


Support Videos for the Common Core in Mathematics


The Southeast Comprehensive Center developed Common Core State Standards (CCSS) videos to support states, schools and teachers in the implementation of the new standards. The videos were created in collaboration with the states in the Southeast Comprehensive Center region based on their need for professional development support for the implementation of the Common Core. Each video is an audiovisual resource that focuses on one or more specific standards and usually includes examples/illustrations geared toward enhancing understanding. The intent of each content-focused video is to clarify the meaning of the individual standard rather than to be a guide on how to teach each standard, although the examples can be adapted for instructional use. 

Monday, February 11, 2013

Math Packing the Common Core Replacing Math Contact Meetings


You may have heard that we have a new professional development called Packing the Common Core and Essential Standards.  I do not want to double task all of you as many of you may be asked to be at our Math Contact Meeting as well as Packing, so I am asking that we combine these two .

You are always welcome to email your questions to me or the whole group.  I am post updates and responses to common questions as they arise to the Math Blog at  http://www.onslowmath.blogspot.com/.  

During each packing session we can have a “Hot Topics” time when we can discuss some of the burning issues like we would at a Contact Meeting.  I apologize that this changes dates for you, but I do hope that this will allow you to get as much information as possible without pulling you in too many directions.

The dates and topics for Packing Tuesdays are:
Date
Proposed Topic
Location
Replaces
(take these off your calendar)
Tuesday, March 5
Standards and Performance Tasks (Assessment)
At Hunters Creek Middle School
Tuesday, February 12th
Tuesday, April 9
Information on Resources and Strategies for Teaching and Implementation
TBD (possibly HCMS)
Tuesday, March 12
Tuesday, April 23
Elements of a CIA Plan and Secondary Math
TBD (possibly HCMS)
Tuesday, April 16
Tuesday, May 7
CIA Planning and Secondary Math
TBD (possibly HCMS)
Tuesday, May 14


If you would like CEU credit for Packing Tuesdays please register through Professional Development



Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Next HS Webinar


The next webinar in the NCSSM Common Core State Standards Mathematics series presented by Maria Hernandez will be on Using Functions to Build Models.  In this session we will explore a hands-on problem that is accessible to students in a variety of math courses from Math I to Calculus.  We will use a physical problem to explore creating a mathematical model and then consider the domain and range of the model in the real-world context. The task will engage students and help them make important connections across mathematical subject areas.

This session will be Wednesday, February 27th from 3:15- 4:15 PM.  

To register to participate, go to http://tinyurl.com/UsingFunctionsToBuildModels

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Problem Attic Problem Generator

http://www.problem-attic.com/?rs=ec01-e8a1-011513-03


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Enrich lessons • Build higher-level thinking
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Share this resource with your teachers. They can simply create an account free of charge for immediate access to 70,000+ questions generated from state assessments, NAEP/TIMSS, New York Regents Exams and math contests.

With a free Problem-Attic account teachers can quickly and easily create quizzes, tests, flashcards, worksheets, and more using our online database of math, science, social studies and English/language arts test questions.
  • Find questions listed by subject or specific exam topic and year.
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Problem-Attic has the most robust, convenient and easy-to-use question bank available. Check out Problem-Attic for yourself with a free account and then send your teachers to www.Problem-Attic.com to sign up – at absolutely no cost today or in the future.

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Problem-Attic

Friday, January 11, 2013

Webinars on High School Math


Please join us for the upcoming webinar addressing the Common Core State Standards in mathematics.  Maria Hernandez, Mathematics Instructor at the NC School of Science and Mathematics, will lead the session.

Nonlinear Data Analysis, Friday, January 18, 2013, 10:30 – 11:30 AM

In this session we will explore nonlinear real-world data sets. Using residuals to assess our models, we can determine when a nonlinear model is appropriate. We will then introduce the idea of using inverse functions to linearize the data.  To register and participate in this webinar, go to   http://tinyurl.com/nonlineardata

Carole Stern
NCSSM Outreach Specialist
919 416-2635



The webinars in this series have been recorded.  Webinar archives with associated handouts are located at the links listed below: 

Using Recursion to Explore Real-World Problems (presented October 29, 2012)

Ratio and Proportion Leading to Slope (presented November 6, 2012)

Linear Data (presented December 5, 2012)

Friday, January 4, 2013

Opportunities for High School Math Teachers


Topic: Strategies for Purposeful Problem Solving
Date: Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Time: 3:15 -4:15 pm

Middle school and high school math and science teachers are invited to join NCSSM physics teacher Jeff Milbourne for a webinar January 9th.

Purposeful problem-solving is critical to success in the 21st century, but what does purposeful problem-solving entail?  How can teachers help students become purposeful problem-solvers?  What is the role of technology and new media in the problem-solving process?  

This session will explore these questions highlighting both education research and classroom practices at the NC School of Science and Mathematics.  While the practices were originally designed for quantitative problem-solving in physics, they are also applicable for conceptual problem-solving.  

To register for this webinar, go to  http://tinyurl.com/cypkyao


Carole Stern
NCSSM Outreach Specialist