BY Catherine Hamilton-Milne
Barnstable Community Horace Mann Charter Public School
Project Description
In my role as Math Specialist at Branstable Community Horace Mann Charter Public School (BCHMCPS), I provide math support and instruction to children who have been identified as at risk for failure. The objective for this proposal is to build needed math skills for students through engaging, hands-on math activities. All materials directly link students learning to the Core Curriculum while providing flexibility for differentiation based upon individuals’ specific needs. Materials can be used in small groups during Math Intervention and as Learning Centers/small group skill practice in classrooms grades Kindergarten through Grade 3.
How will the project be evaluated (e.g. how will you gauge its success)
Our Grade Level Teaching Teams and our MTSS Team (Multi-Tiered System of Supports Team) meet weekly to analyze student progress and to identify next steps to be taken to increase students mastery of Core Curriculum Standards. Using the “Star Universal Screening System” and in-class End of the Unit Assessments, I will work with teachers and the MTSS Team to evaluate the effectiveness of the lessons being created with the grant materials. Additionally, this data will help us to identify Core concepts to be targeted next.
Benefit to the students and the school
The benefits our students and teachers will realize as a result of using the materials and lessons acquired through this grant will be two-fold. Firstly, as a Math Interventions, I will use the materials to differentiate instruction based upon students needs, Kindergarten through Grade 3 who have been identified as needing extra math support and instruction. Organizing and prepping lessons and activities that are aligned with the Common Core Standards and that will specifically meet the needs of students from four different Grade Levels can be challenging and time consuming. The materials requested are easy to organize and in turn to differentiate instruction. Using math manipulatives to build skills is an effective “best practice” as it provides students with concrete examples that further cement understanding.
Secondly, in my role as our school’s Math Coach I consult regularly with classroom teachers to share resources and to recommend math lessons. Additionally, I provide in-class services in our Kindergarten through Grade 3 classrooms wherein I model math lessons and provide resources to our teachers. I will use the materials requested to model lessons that specifically target Grade Level Core Curriculum. Most of our teachers have similar or the same math manipulatives as are contained in the Kits. Successful lessons (best practices) can easily be disseminated and then replicated to extend lessons and enhance learning. In the event that a teacher lacks the needed manipulatives, they will be loaned. As a teaching team we are skilled at collaboration and sharing.
Timeline of Project (when will you do the project, if applicable)
The materials requested will used across grade as soon as they are acquired. Because they can be easily reproduced I expect that they will continue to be used year after year, for years to come.