Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Math/Tech Coaching Menu


Hello #CUSDrockstar math teachers! I am so excited to start a brand new year with you and to continue building on all of the innovative instructional practice already in place.  Since the role of a Math/Tech coach is a new and ever-evolving role, this first blog post of the year focuses on what I can do for you. Please take a moment to review the list of opportunities for support and please do not hesitate to reach out!


As our district's focus is on going beyond the textbook to support the unique needs of learners in our classrooms, I offer support in lesson design with a focus on how technology can help achieve this. Effective integration of technology can help your students reach their learning goals through promoting differentiation, engagement, communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking.

Support in lesson design includes but is not limited to:


Use of digital tools for formative assessment: Looking for ways to gather instant data on what your students know and what they need more support on? I can recommend and support the use of a variety of digital tools to assess students and receive instant data to drive instruction. Several of these tools include: Google Forms, Kahoot, Quizizz, Go Formative, Socrative, and more!

Digital tools for mathematical modeling: Want to support deeper understanding of mathematical concepts through the use of digital modeling tools such as Desmos? Gamify learning with Desmos Marbleslides and Polygraph tools and so much more. What's that you say... a graphing calculator is FUN?! Let me know- I'm happy to show you the many uses of Desmos in making graphing concepts engaging!

Blended Learning Strategies: Ready to try blended learning to individualize and differentiate instruction? Wonder how to manage the classroom in order to pull a student (or group of students)? I can support with different flipped and blended models of instruction, as well as with the creation and implementation of digital lessons that support this using tools such as Hyperdocs, EdPuzzle and Blendspace.

Incorporation of Google Apps for Education: Campbell Union School District is a Google Apps for Education district. Are you ready to get Googley? Use of Google tools can support the 4 Cs and digital lesson design. I can support you with anything from Google Drive Basics (Docs, Slides, Drawings, Forms, Sheets) and Google Classroom, to Advanced Google Drive (apps, add-ons, extensions), Google Sites, Google Hangouts and anything else Googley!

Math 360: How can your learning environment impact your lesson design? Many CUSD teachers are now using 360 degree math, which starts with the basic idea of having whiteboard walls around your classroom. Students are able to get out of their seats while they work (you can even incorporate Music Cues!), problem-solving becomes transparent, and the teacher is able to instantly identify and address common misconceptions. Let me know if you would like support and are ready to join the 360 degree math revolution!


I support many of our math teams in regular planning meetings, where we use Professional Learning Community (PLC) work to guide our conversations and our work around innovative lesson design. Determining what we want our students to know, we can share best practices around extending learning, assessing learning, and supporting all students in accessing instruction.


Please reach out to let me know how I can support you! We will also be offering a variety of district professional developments to support innovative instruction and lesson design so stay tuned.