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Going Beyond

Building Towards a Whole-School Agreement

When a school creates horizontal and vertical alignment of mathematical language and models used throughout the building it can support an equitable learning environment for all students. Consistency and correct mathematical terminology and ideas will prevent future misconceptions for students. Carry on this work and conversation by collecting agreements on rules, models, language, notations, and generalizations. Below you will find an article introducing the Whole-School Agreement as well as a template, and other resources. 

  • Read "Establishing a Mathematics Whole-School Agreement" article. (Click on the image to the left to download).

  • Continue extending the agreements made within each grade level, to vertical agreements. 

  • The template to the left may be used to format your whole-school agreement.

  • Continue to support agreements with research. Do not make agreements based on personal preferences alone. 

  • Add to the school-wide agreement over a course of time. 

  • Determine how this agreement will be communicated with incoming staff members and families of students. 

  • The example to the left of a completed whole-school agreement template may be useful to get started.

  • Begin by discussing some ideas that are relevant across your grade.

  • Note rules, models, terminology/language, notations, or generalizations you are willing to commit to

  • The facilitator collects all template documents and combines responses.

  • share back with the group for final grade level commitments 

  • Repeat at school level 

  • This document explores 12 rules that expire for the middle grades.

  • Encourage your 5th and 6th grade teams to consider these and plan to prevent misconceptions in junior high.

  • This document explores 15 rules that expire for the secondary grades.

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