ERIC Number: EJ1110913
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016-Aug
Pages: 8
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1073-5836
EISSN: N/A
Doing Math Together to Build Community
Rawding, Molly Rothermel; Call, Susan
Teaching Children Mathematics, v23 n1 p38-45 Aug 2016
Last year, Annandale Terrace Elementary School (Annandale, Virginia) began exploring professional learning communities (PLC). In this article, two of Annandale's math coaches share the school's journey. On the basis of their own reflections, the coaches conclude with some recommendations for those considering embarking on a similar journey including: (1) Front load materials and tasks to support teachers as they build collective knowledge; (2) Collaborate with someone else during the planning stages (a coach of a different subject area, an administrator, a districtwide support person); (3) Make a realistic goal that is meaningful and will move the team forward; (4) Be sure the physical environment encourages communication among the teams; (5) Focus on opportunities and potential. Be solution-centered; (6) Do rich math tasks with teachers! This is imperative for engaging the teachers as well as building a common understanding about what students must know and be able to do.
Descriptors: Communities of Practice, Mathematics Teachers, Coaching (Performance), Faculty Development, Teacher Collaboration, Cooperative Planning, Goal Orientation, Educational Environment, Teamwork, Mathematics Instruction, Elementary School Teachers
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. 1906 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191. Tel: 800-235-7566; Tel: 703-620-9840; Fax: 703-476-2570; e-mail: NCTM@nctm.org; Web site: http://www.nctm.org/publications/teaching-children-mathematics/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: Teachers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Virginia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A