Resources for Educators
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Our philosophy and programs are based upon findings from educational research. Here is a collection of recent peer-reviewed studies that are relevant to improving and expanding educational outcomes for all students.
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Resources from Past Newsletters
New research shows that when parents and caregivers do a little math with their child every day, math learning is supported, even if the adults are math-phobic. Bedtime Math is a resource that provides a picture, a little bit to read, and an interesting math challenge at four levels (“Wee Ones” to “Sky’s the Limit”) every day. It can be accessed through their app or on their website. Adults initiate a conversation each evening at the dinner table (or at the breakfast table, or whatever time works for them) about the math, which builds children’s comfort with engaging in mental math, their number sense, and even their achievement in math class. The research showing the positive effects of these conversations were covered by many news outlets.
For Elementary 
The National Council for Teachers of Mathematics has a huge number of free, interactive tools. Illuminations includes online manipulatives, games, and interactive tools. Depending on your grade level, you might use it in all phases of the teaching and learning process:
For Elementary and Secondary Three-Act Tasks are sprinkled throughout the SFUSD Math Core Curriculum. Many folks have shared information about how to implement them online, and more examples of this kind of task. One place to look is Dan Meyer's blog and his list of Three-Act Tasks.
For Elementary and Secondary 
Dr. Jo Boaler's website, www.youcubed.org, has many resources for teacher and student learning. Here are some of our favorites:
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101questions asks the viewer to identify a mathematical question that is asked by a visual (photo or video). This is the first step in mathematical modeling, and an important habit of mind for using math in everyday life.
For Secondary 
The publisher of Fathom Dynamic Data Software has provided free licenses to Fathom for all SFUSD high school math teachers and school computers. Fathom is a great tool for exploring statistical concepts visually in high school math courses, including Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and AP Stats. Contact the Math Department for more information.
For Secondary 
Desmos has developed a free online graphing calculator. Many math teachers have already discovered how easy it is to create tables, graphs, and equations.
In addition, Desmos provides a variety of classroom activities that guide students through explorations individually or in teams, along with tools to make your own. Try one out with your classes! For Secondary Graphing Stories provides short videos that ask students to graph something against time over 15 seconds. They provide the graphs to graph on, and the videos include one possible “answer.” Discussion of that answer, and how it is different from what students came up with, can be a great opportunity for students to critique the reasoning of others and justify their own thinking.
For Secondary 
Which One Doesn't Belong is a fun website full of thought-provoking puzzles. Many of them appear as Math Talks in our curriculum. They help to engage even your most reluctant students because of their open-ended nature. They also support a positive math community by building confidence and appreciation for the unique ways in which we all see things.
For Elementary and Secondary |
Resources about the CCSS in Mathematics
CA Department of Education
The California Department of Education site with Below you will find information about the standards and the CCSS-related activities taking place in California. 
Achieve the Core
A source for free content designed to help educators understand and implement the Common Core State Standards. It includes practical tools designed to help students and teachers see their hard work deliver results. 
Inside Mathematics (K-12)
A professional resource for educators passionate about improving students' mathematics learning and performance. This site features classroom examples of innovative teaching methods and insights into student learning, tools for mathematics instruction that teachers can use immediately, and video tours of the ideas and materials on the site. 
The Mathematics Assessment Project (7-12)
The project is working to design and develop well-engineered assessment tools to support US schools in implementing the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM). The project creates tools for formative and summative assessment that make knowledge and reasoning visible, and help teachers to guide students in how to improve, and monitor their progress. 
NRICH (K-12)
The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice. NRICH is a team of qualified teachers who are also practitioners in RICH mathematical thinking. This unique blend means that NRICH is ideally placed to offer advice and support to both learners and teachers of mathematics. 
The Silicon Valley Mathematics Initiative is a comprehensive effort to improve mathematics instruction and student learning. The Initiative is based on high performance expectations, ongoing professional development, examining student work, and improved math instruction. The Initiative includes a formative and summative performance assessment system, pedagogical content coaching, and leadership training and networks.
SFUSD is a member district and SFUSD educators have access to the following: MARS, Primary Performance Assessment, Problems of the Month, Materials - Professional Development Meetings, SCVMP Leadership Institute 2013, SCVMP Leadership Institute 2012, Charter Oaks Workshop 2013, Cristo Rey Resources, Coaching Tools, Videos Contact us for information on accessing these resources! 
Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium
Smarter Balanced is a state-led consortium developing assessments aligned to the Common Core State Standards in English language arts/literacy and mathematics that are designed to help prepare all students to graduate high school college- and career-ready. |
Common Core State Standards Initiative
The official site of the CCSS. The Common Core State Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers. With American students fully prepared for the future, our communities will be best positioned to compete successfully in the global economy. 
Illustrative Mathematics (K-12)
Illustrative Mathematics is a discerning community of educators dedicated to the coherent learning of mathematics. We collaborate at illustrativemathematics.org, sharing carefully vetted resources for teachers and teacher leaders to give our children an understanding of mathematics and skill in using it. We provide expert guidance to states and districts working to improve mathematics education. The goal of Illustrative Mathematics is:
NCSM (K-12)
NCSM is the National Coalition of Supervisors of Mathematics. Their website features professional learning modules for K-12 teachers covering the Common Core Content and Practice Standards for Mathematics. 
Illuminations
Illuminations is a project designed by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) which includes lessons and interactives searchable by the Common Core State Standards: over 600 lesson plans and over 100 activities; including virtual manipulatives, applets, and games. 
SERP has a number of projects that provide support for Math Teachers. Among them:
Algebra by Example: AlgebraByExample gives students practice solving problems and practice modeling, analyzing, critiquing and articulating mathematical arguments. Each assignment contains several pairs of problems... Diagnostic Teaching (Poster Problems): Diagnostic Teaching is an approach that aims to: bring the thinking of students out into the open so teachers can use it to promote math discourse; allow for a range of solution approaches - all valid, but some using more basic math that can seamlessly lead to using more advanced math; and give teachers lots of information as students complete tasks so they see and hear how students are advancing. The 5X8 Card: The “5 x 8 Card” is the a tool for school principals that targets the intersection of the principal’s experience and the educational purpose of developing the students’ expertise in mathematical practices defined in the CCSS Mathematical Practice Standards. 
The Teaching Channel
Teaching Channel is a video showcase -- on the Internet and TV -- of innovative and effective teaching practices in America's schools. It features hundreds of helpful videos showing classroom practices that align with the CCSS-M. |
