April 2015 Letter from Carolyn
Dear US Math Recovery® Members,
"Teaching is a thinking person's job. Therefore, conversations about teaching must be about cognition." The words of Charlotte Danielson (2015) come to life in every Math Recovery® professional dialogue. As I continued to read Danielson's revision of her framework into six large clusters, they unmistakably parallel Math Recovery® Guiding Principles and our daily work with children and adults. If educators are implementing the Guiding Principles, they are also demonstrating proficiency within Danielson's Framework. A Math Recovery® interpretation follows each of the Danielson clusters below. [For the full article, read Danielson, C. (2015). Framing Discussion About Teaching. Educational Leadership, April 2015, 38-41.]
1. Clarity of Instructional Purpose and Accuracy of Content:
Math Recovery® programs deepen the teacher's content knowledge and encourage well-designed sequences within specific learning trajectories. Educators select from a bank of teaching procedures, based on initial and on-going assessment.
2. A Safe, Respectful, Supportive, and Challenging Learning Environment:
Math Recovery's® inquiry-based approach to teaching and resulting child intrinsic satisfaction promote the relationship building necessary for academic success.
3. Classroom Management:
Whether working individually, in small groups, or in a whole class environment, the Math Recovery® teacher creates a physical space to support learning. The educator actively promotes sustained thinking and reflection to maximize time on task and retention.
4. Student Intellectual Engagement:
Building on the child's understanding, the Math Recovery® teacher deliberately engenders more sophisticated strategies. The educator supports and builds upon the child's strategies, incorporating symbolizing and notating, as the child formalizes academic recording.
5. Successful Learning by All Students:
Math Recovery® teaching aims instruction just beyond the cutting edge (ZPD) of the child's current knowledge. The teacher observes and fine-tunes teaching based on the child's progression.
6. Professionalism:
Math Recovery® promotes teacher reflection as well as collegial dialogue and leadership focused on student learning and professional growth.
Thank you for being part of our community where the language of Math Recovery® becomes a tool for empowering professional conversations!
Warm wishes and productive discourse,
Carolyn
