STEM Ed Announcement: Mathematics Learning Community

[Morton Sternheim <mort@k12s.phast.umass.edu>]

Mathematics Learning Community
MLC

The Regional Science Resource Center at the University of Massachusetts
Medical Schoool, in partnership with the MA Department of Elementary and
Secondary Education (DESE), has developed Mathematics Learning Community
(MLC)  curriculum materials which are available online to download for
free.  These materials are designed to help schools and districts
implement MLC's by providing both the structure and the math content to
facilitate school-based discussions about how students understand,
express and think about mathematics.

What is an MLC?

An MLC is a professional learning community focused on student learning
in mathematics.  The purpose of the MLC is to provide teachers of
mathematics (K - 8) with an opportunity to work together with colleagues
to relate important content and pedagogy to their own classroom
practice.

*        Each MLC is school- or district-based.
*        Each MLC is facilitated by a teacher leader, math coach or specialist from that school or district.
*        Each MLC has members that are general education, special education and/or ELL teachers of mathematics.
*        Each MLC meets at an in-district school on a regular basis throughout the year.


MLC members meet and work collaboratively through 15 MLC sessions that
focus on different topics within Number Sense & Pre-Algebra.  Each of
these 15 MLC sessions consists of a math discussion, mental math tasks,
problem solving and the examination of student work.  Student work
samples examined during MLC sessions represent various grade levels, yet
each session's content is always connected to three grade bands: K - 2,
3 - 5, and 6 - 8.  Three key mathematical ideas - counting, composition,
and context - act as threads tying all content together within the MLC
sessions.

What are the Goals of an MLC?

*        To form a collaborative learning community that focuses on student learning
*        To understand mathematical content in a deeper, more conceptual way
*        To closely examine student work and formative assessments in order to determine students' progress and instructional needs
*        To reflect on classroom practice, share strategies, discuss best practices, and expand professional expertise


What MLC materials are available online?

*        Overview of the MLC
*        Facilitator Notes for Number Sense & Pre-Algebra: Sessions 1 -
15.  These notes include: mathematical tasks, authentic student work
samples, the MLC Protocol for Looking at Student Work, and guiding
questions for group discussion.


Using these materials, schools or districts can implement MLC's in order
to make more productive use of common teacher planning time.  MLC's
allow groups of teachers time to uncover and explore how students think
and learn about specific mathematical concepts.  With this deeper
understanding of how students perceive and apply a concept, teachers are
better able to further develop students' understanding in a classroom
setting.

It is the sincere hope of the MLC development team that these materials
will serve as a foundation for the development of your own MLC and will,
in turn, promote student success in mathematics through supporting
knowledgeable and reflective teaching and learning.

Where can I get more information?

*        To view and download the MLC Materials online, visit:
http://www.doe.mass.edu/omste/instructional.html
(The MLC information is at the bottom of the page).
*        For more information on the MLC and MLC Facilitator Training,
please contact Sandra Mayrand, Director at the Regional Science Resource
Center, at 508-856-5097 or sandra.mayrand@umassmed.edu .

Sandra Mayrand, Director
Regional Science Resource Center
University of Massachusetts Medical School
222 Maple Avenue
Shrewsbury, MA 01545
phone:  508 856-5097
fax:       508 856-5360
e-mail:  Sandra.Mayrand@umassmed.edu
web site: www.umassmed.edu/rsrc