Comprehensive Math

Hello All!

I am currently taking an Additional Qualification Course in Mathematics- Part I for those of you that are interested. For my first learning experience we have a summative to write which could be a blog entry. Seeing as I actually have a little blog- I decided to take the opportunity to write a blog entry on the comprehensive math program.

The Comprehensive Math Program is a math model that schools in Ontario, Canada follow. The school board that I work for has a great image that ties into their understanding of the comprehensive math program.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjmoqMpsrEA

This video outlines the key terms and items in a comprehensive math program- as outlined by my particular school board.

The major points of this math program includes the following:

1- Games and Reinforcing Activities

2- Meaningful Problems

3- Three Part Lessons (Minds On, Action, Consolidation)

4- Math Centres

Key Learnings from this learning experience:

• Big Ideas are key. Big Ideas are important in thinking about and planning your math unit. Big ideas can chunk learning into manageable pieces for students. Students should be involved with the big ideas and be able to understand the big ideas.
• Day, Unit, and Long Range Planning  are important. A constructivist approach (basically the school of thought that students are blank slates and can ‘construct’ their own knowledge through meaningful problems)
• Thoughtful and Clear Planning allows us teachers to be ready and prepared for what the math block may be like. Understanding is important and should be placed with high importance. That is true for teacher understanding as well.
• Cross Curricular Planning is a great opportunity to be able to bridge concepts from different subjects together, and allow students the opportunities to practice their concepts and understandings through math.

Finally,

I hope the pictures, and videos really helped your beginning understanding of what a solid comprehension math program may look like in your middle school block!

Bye for now

Ms. Goldenfairy