TCS Schools Host Math Nights

Elementary schools in Trussville are working to build schoolwide cultures of mathematical literacy and achievement.  An effective culture is not easy to build and maintain, and it does not happen overnight, according to Ron Berger in Learning That Lasts.  Our schools are building a new mindset for mathematical learning, building excitement in teachers and students to dig into, embrace challenging problems, and work hard at fluency and conceptual understanding.  The biggest change in instruction is that lessons begin with intriguing and challenging problems that students grapple with on their own before they get help and confer with others.  Classrooms are filled with rich mathematical discourse; whether in kindergarten or high schools, students are discussing mathematical concepts and patterns with sophistication.  

Educating parents is a vital step in successful implementation of mathematics instruction that provides opportunities for students to grapple and construct their own knowledge.  Most parents learned mathematics in classrooms where the teacher modeled procedures and students memorized the steps and mimicked the teacher's process.  Oftentimes, this can cause confusion and frustration for parents.  To support parents' new learning, our schools are hosting Math Nights, where parents can participate as students alongside their own children in number talks, mini-lessons, math games, and rigorous problem solving.