Greenwood Elementary “Math Activation”

1. Greenwood Elementary“Math Activation” Strategic Planning, Technology, & Leadership Increasing Special Education Test Scores in Math Through the Use of Activinspire

2. The Challenge • Develop basic Math skills and concepts for Special Education students in Grades 3-5 • Provide intervention while moving forward and teaching the Math skills in each grade level curriculum according to the pacing guide

3. Why? Math • As a media specialist we are not limited or restricted to teaching research skills, literature and promoting reading. We are also responsible for all student achievement in all content areas!

4. Why: Critical Question How can we support our Special Education students in developing and mastering basic math skills and concepts?

5. Why: Data • Data is taken from the 2009 • Maryland State Report Card • Similar results were found by • scanning the 2010 MSA scores • and will be looked at more detail • during our August, 2010 Leader- • Ship meeting • The African American sub group • also shows a need for improvement • and will also be considered once an • Intervention Program is in place

6. WHO CARES? WHY? • Students – a direct affect on their personal perception as a learner and achiever • Parents – want and hope for the best educational opportunities for their children • Teachers – wanting their students to be successful and wanting to be effective • Principal– wanting to move forward as a school and meet AYP goals as well as school goals for students and teachers • Superintendent – wanting to move forward as a district and meet AYP goals as well as state and national expectations

7. The Math/Technology Team • School Principal • Math Facilitator • Grade Level Teachers • Special Education Teachers and Support Staff • Media Specialist

8. How can we support our Special Education students in developing and mastering basic math skills and concepts? Use Activinspire to teach mathematical skills and concepts to students with special needs and various learning styles. Photo found on http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/resources/themes/special-education-needs.aspx

9. Proposed Implementations Require No Additional Costs • All teachers and Special Education teachers already have access to the Activinspire software, Promethean Boards and a laptop to create flipcharts • Student laptops and classroom computers will have Acitivinspire installed to accommodate intervention groups • Professional Development would occur during team meetings or contracted PD time frames

10. Suggested Addition “BrainPOP” • Purchase rights for students to use web based program – BrainPOP www.brainpop.com • BrainPOP activities can be linked to flip chart pages that will increase student engagement and support concepts being taught while boosting student achievement • Cost: Yearly Subscription for school $1495 • Possible Funding Sources: • School Fundraiser • Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore • http://www.cfes.org/for-nonprofits.php • Title I Funding Assigned to Our School

11. Professional Development for the School Staff

12. Time to Move Forward Where Are You? • Awareness • Information • Personal • Management • Consequences • Collaboration • Refocusing

13. Support • Math Facilitator will gather feedback during Team Meetings in order to determine which teachers and staff members need additional support • Co-Teaching Opportunities will take place between Teachers, Special Education Teachers, Media Specialist and Intervention Teachers • Collaboration Tool will be used to host ongoing discussion board • Informal Observations will be done to help guide “Best Practices or use of Activinspire

14. Assessment of Student Success:Formative and Summative Summative: • MSA Scores • County Benchmarks • Chapter Tests • Report Card Grades Formative: • Teacher and Staff Feedback • Classroom Walkthroughs • Student Feedback

15. The Media Specialist as a Leader • Promote “Best Practices” of the use of Activinspireto promote student achievement and increase Benchmark and MSA scores • Conduct training sessions during EDP days as well as during team meetings • Provide ongoing training and support as needed • Collaborate with teachers in their classrooms • Promote the integration of literature as a tool to teach Math concepts

16. Bibliography • National Academy of Sciences. (2005). The Concerns-Based Adoption Model (CBAM): A Model for Change in Individuals. Web. July 19, 2010. <http://www.nationalacademies.org/rise/backg4a.htm> • "2010 Maryland Report Card: Somerset County - Greenwood Elementary School : Assessments." 2010 Maryland Report Card. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 July 2010. <http://mdreportcard.org/Assessments.aspx?K=190105&WDATA=School>. • "BrainPOP - Animated Educational Site for Kids - Science, Social Studies, English, Math, Arts & Music, Health, and Technology." BrainPOP - Animated Educational Site for Kids - Science, Social Studies, English, Math, Arts & Music, Health, and Technology. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 July 2010. <http://www.brainpop.com>. • "Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore - For Nonprofits." Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 July 2010. <http://www.cfes.org/for-nonprofits.php>. • Picciano, Anthony G.. Educational Leadership and Planning for Technology (5th Edition). 5 ed. Alexandria, VA: Prentice Hall, 2010. Print.