Math Department Professional Development Proposal (Final)

Vision/Purpose Our purpose is to increase student math achievement and our professional growth through a collegial exchange of ideas. This will be done through our weekly Wednesday meetings where we will plan joint lessons, examine student work and solve common problems. We will take part in peer observations, and provide each other with regular descriptive feedback. We will work to implement and refine best practices in support of our schools ontinuous !mprovement "lan. Meeting Components Teachers and #dministrators will work together to predetermine the weeks goals based on student need and our areas of in$uiry. %&eeting format will vary based upon the weekly focus.' (' )hare reflections on previous weeks topic %what went well, what didnt'. *' #naly+e student work and explore individual student understanding on predetermined standard%s'. ,' )hare activities and their implementation. -outinely examine the effects of instructional strategies implemented. .' Work through problems together to gain a deeper understanding of the math involved and potential student misunderstandings. /' 0etermine the following weeks goals and coordinate upcoming observations. 1' &onitor student performance and efforts to close learning gaps. 2' ontinuously refine instructional and assessment calendars that map out when and how standards will be demonstrated.

Areas of Inquiry 3ostering student problem solving skills !mplementing department wide short4cycle assessments 5ffective use of class time )upporting mathematical vocabulary development )haring knowledge of technologies !mproving students constructed responses 6sing the data from $uarterly assessment to inform daily instruction 6sing students interests to help motivate