Welcome! This page is intended for facilitators to use in planning. This 45-60 minute module consists of 3 steps and an optional "Going Beyond" section. Review this page for facilitation suggestions and required materials.

Objective:

To establish grade-level agreements based upon the understanding that some mathematical "rules" are overgeneralized and expire. These agreements will serve to prevent facilitation of misconceptions and diminish student confusion. 

Mathematics is better taught when everyone shares in consistent language, symbols and notation, models and schema, and rules that support developing learners. The idea behind this comprehensive agreement is not unlike a schoolwide behavior management policy- whereby children hear the same phrases, share identical expectations and experience practices that are common and consistent year after year across classrooms and throughout the school. Having a similar common approach in mathematics reduces the need for reteaching and provides a level of familiarity. It also lessens students' cognitive load and diminishes confusion while increasing students' ability to "hit the ground running" each year in learning new mathematical content and processes (Karp, Bush, & Dougherty, 2016, p.61).

The purpose of this module is to develop grade-level agreements, as an entry point for later development of a Whole School Math Agreement. Visit the "Going Beyond" section for more information.