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By Dr. Mary Jo Scalzo, Superintendent, and Kimberly Kappler, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Try this math problem on for size:
What does the area of trapezoids, the volume of cylinders and prisms plus adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing monomials and polynomials plus scatterplots plus differentiating between discreet and continuous data plus exponents plus analyzing direct and inverse variation plus describing how a change in the value of a constant in a linear or quadratic equation affects related graphs equal?
Those items plus thirty eight other objectives equal the Ohio seventh grade mathematics curriculum. It is no wonder that American mathematics education has been accused of being a “mile wide and an inch deep.” How is a teacher to teach all of those math objectives in one year and do justice to them all? Are some objectives more important and therefore worthy of additional attention and focus?
Recently, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) released a position paper entitled Curriculum Focal Points for Prekindergarten through Grade 8
Mathematics. Focal Points attempts to help focus math curricula by identifying three areas of focus for each grade, Pre-K-8, each of which is aligned to the NCTM’s Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (2000).
There has been recent media attention about NCTM’s Focal Points. You may have seen articles in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, or Education Week. These articles have focused on NCTM’s position regarding computation. The central issue has been whether problem solving or computation should hold primacy in math curricula.
In Oakwood, we believe that this is not an “either/or” question. Without question, students in grades Pre-K through 8 need to master basic math facts and critically analyze data to solve problems. This foundation is critical to their success in grades 9-12 math. Oakwood City School District (OCSD) concurs with the statement made by NCTM President, Francis Fennell that “Students should learn and be able to recall basic facts and become computationally fluent, but that such knowledge and skills should be acquired with understanding.”
In our effort to teach conceptual understanding and computational fluency, OCSD constantly reviews what we do, how our students perform, and what research says. What we learned over the past several years is that this type of ongoing reflection is what will make our math program stronger and our students better prepared for college. The paragraphs that follow provide a few examples.
The district’s Everyday Math materials for grades K-4 support the district’s balanced approach to math instruction.
Three years ago, elementary teachers reviewed and realigned the sequence of skills taught in grades 1-6. They also decided to return to regularly scheduled, timed math facts assessments for grades 1-6. These assessment results are reported to parents on quarterly report cards.
However, a review of seventh grade students’ performance on a fall, 2005, national test showed that students’ computation scores were the lowest of their math subtests. Even though our composite computation score was higher than the average composite score of districts across the country with whom we are compared, we took a closer look.
Our item analysis taught us that what was being tested on the seventh grade computation subtest was a good deal different than the basic math facts assessments that our fifth and sixth graders were taking. The national test assessed skills work with decimals and fractions. While our teachers were already focusing on these skills and assessing them via classroom tests, we discovered the need to incorporate fractions and decimals into our ongoing district-wide math facts tests. We are using what we have learned to revise our fifth and sixth grade computation assessments.
Such analysis and revision of our math program happens across all grade levels. For four years, our junior/senior high teachers have been using Math Pumps—daily reviews of computation skills to augment problem solving. Last year we began offering the Ohio Early Mathematics Placement Test (EMPT), which provides our juniors and math teachers with information about how well our students are prepared for college math.
In addition to studying student achievement data, the district is in its third year of a College Connection Study. This ongoing study provides us with information about how well our graduates are prepared for the rigors of college academics in multiple disciplines (e.g. math, science, English, foreign language, science, social studies). To date, a team of our teachers, guidance counselors, and administrators has visited Miami University and The Ohio State University. We also conduct one-on-one interviews with our graduates when they are home for break from such universities as Notre Dame and Vanderbilt. We are always looking for volunteers to be interviewed (call 297-7801 if interested).
At the high school level, we continue to examine what we offer in our regular and honors math programs. The math department is working to accelerate the regular math program to include additional content. This realignment is supported by what we have learned through the College Connection Study. Additionally, a new Finite Math and Calculus course will be added to the regular math program for the 2007-2008 school year.
In short, our students need to be competent and confident in problem solving and computation—to be strong mathematical thinkers. This requires ongoing examination of our math curricula. We are proud of our teachers and principals for engaging in ongoing review. We appreciate the commitment of our parents to this process. The Oakwood schools will continue to use tools like NCTM’s Focal Points to further strengthen our math program.
Lange School will hold its annual Scholastic Book Fair Family Night on Thursday, Oct. 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. Families and friends of Lange students can purchase books and see Curious George during this event. There will be activities for the children to do while parents browse the selection of books for sale. A raffle and bake sale will be held, also.
All proceeds benefit Lange School. This is the school’s only fundraiser of the year. See you there!
The third annual Crustaceans for Education Lobster Sale at Harman School is underway and will run through Monday, Oct. 16. Lobster Pick-up Day is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 21 from 2-6pm at Harman School.
This fundraiser is an annual PTO event that raises money for curriculum support. Lobsters are supplied by Foremost Seafood and can be purchased live or steamed. If you would like to buy lobsters, please call Anne Rasmussen at 534-1981.
Oakwood Giving students, dressed in Halloween costumes, will be participating in the annual "Tick or Treat for Canned Goods" on Sunday, Oct. 29, from 5:30-8 p.m. The students will canvas as many homes as possible but if you would like to guarantee that students come to your home and pick up cans, please call the high school at 297-5325.
The Oakwood Junior and Senior High PTO has completed its annual membership drive and has had another successful directory distribution. PTO President Joan Elking sends her thanks to new and returning members for your contributions.
If you have not received your directory or would like to purchase one, they are still available in the book store in the Senior High hall or in the Junior High office. Directories are $5 for members and $10 for non-members.
Students and teachers benefit from monies collected during the membership drive, most notably through Teacher Grants. Grants are given to teachers to cover the costs of classroom materials, teaching aids, etc., that are not included in the school budget, but are deemed beneficial to the learning process. The PTO believes this program exemplifies our primary purpose, and we are excited to be able to share the grant stories with you in the months to come. Watch for more information here and in your school newsletters.
Inquiries regarding PTO membership can be directed to PTO President Joan Elking at 1200 Far Hills Ave., Dayton, 45419. Or, you may join our next meeting on Nov. 9 at 11: 45 a.m. at OHS in Room 211.
Remember, too, that all Oakwood residents may help the PTO in another way. Designate Oakwood Junior/Senior High School as your school of choice in the Dorothy Lane Market Good Neighbor Program. The membership drive and this program are the only means of generating monetary contributions to the PTO. See DLM for more details about how to sign up.
Our 10 year reunion will be held over Thanksgiving weekend. It will be at Bimini Bills, 212 S. Ludlow St., on Saturday, Nov. 25 from 7-10 pm. There will be complimentary local food and a cash bar.
The cost will be $10 per person (spouses/guests are welcome!) A PayPal account has been set up (oakwood1996@gmail.com) for ease of payment. You may also e-mail us for an address if you prefer to send a check.
Please help us get the word out to locate all members of the class!
If you have current contact information, questions, or to RSVP by November 15th, please contact us at oakwood1996@gmail.com.
Looking forward to seeing everyone!
Gina, Suzanne, Amy and Mark
Seth Maney, OHS 2005, has been elected Pledge Class President of the fall 2006 pledge class of Sigma Chi fraternity at the University of Dayton. Seth is a
sophomore and a John W. Berry Scholar class representative, a member of the Academic Affairs Committee, a Student Government Senator, a member of the Judicial Hearing Board, a River Steward of The Rivers Institute at U.D., and a member of the University Student Life Council. Seth is the son of Jane and Michael Maney of Oakwood.
Sigma Alpha Lambda is proud to announce that Christina Marie Mannerino, a graduate of Oakwood High School Class of 2003, has recently become recognized as a member of Sigma Alpha Lambda, a national leadership and honors organization at Ohio State University. Sigma Alpha Lambda is dedicated to promoting and rewarding academic achievement and providing members with opportunities for community service, personal development, and lifelong professional fulfillment.
A Denison University freshman is among those named as winners of a Founders Scholarship. Recipients of this award include Jonathan Green, son of John and Sara Green of Oakwood. Green is a 2006 graduate of Oakwood High School. Denison’s Founders Scholarship approximates half-tuition and stays constant during the student’s enrollment at Denison. Selection is based on the candidate’s potential to make a significant contribution to both the Denison classroom and the Denison community. Recipients typically fall in the top 20 percent of the Denison applicant pool.
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