Less is More....
Three small words that are full of wisdom. In regards to the Common Core of State Standards, the authors talk of focus. Our new mathematics standards ask us to focus on critical areas at each grade level, letting go of what has been called “some of the clutter” in the curriculum.
It is the same with the professional development that must take place for successful implementation of our new standards. Introducing something new to people – a new way of thinking, a new set of standards, a different instructional approach – can be difficult work.
Change does not always come easily. With the implementation of the 2011 Frameworks, we are all being asked to change something. I try to remind those that I work with that we should look at the big picture, and then being our work by focusing our efforts around an initiative. Rather than hold ourselves to the expectations that everything can be done at once, we need to choose a priority area, and make connections to instructional practices that cut across various areas of the curriculum. When we change instructional practice fundamentally, we impact ALL content.
The Standards for Mathematical Practice give us guidance for such an approach. For example, we might choose to focus on developing deep fractional understanding. Using an instructional practice of daily number talks, we can impact the delivery of this content. This strategy can be connected to the Standards for Mathematical practice and connected to instructional practices that cut across ALL conceptual areas - PreK – Grade 12. As a faculty teachers can support each other in the use of this strategy. As a community of students, our learners experience the same opportunities to discuss, to prove, and to explain their thinking.
I encourage teachers and districts to embrace this stance – less is more. We get more mileage when implementing change when we choose and select priority areas and initiatives, making connections and providing the time and support necessary for change to occur. In my experience, once we take successful steps forward, and more steps always follow.
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