Inspirations & Ideas is designed to support students in CPM’s Core Connections, Course 3 who sometimes struggle with mathematics. The expectation is that students in Inspirations & Ideas will be concurrently enrolled in Core Connections, Course 3, and therefore will have two math classes daily. Ideally, Inspirations & Ideas is a non-graded course, with no homework, and no summative assessments.
Inspirations & Ideas is a compilation of lessons, arranged appropriately in units, that convey multiple objectives. Although each unit may not fully address a single objective, as a compilation the objectives are met. The course does not attempt to address every content standard in the 8th grade curriculum. Rather the math content in the course is used as a vehicle to change students’ beliefs and attitudes about math. Inspirations & Ideas focuses on the following themes:
Incorrect ideas are often necessary to develop correct ideas.
Mathematics is visual.
Effective communication in mathematics should be practiced.
Problem solving strategies make problems accessible.
Building relationships is vital to a positive classroom environment.
Students can re-engage with mathematics in new ways.
New teachers of Inspirations & Ideas must attend the virtual professional learning event. Teachers will need to successfully complete the learning in order to use the curriculum. View Event dates and locations.
I love teaching a math intervention group of students using a curriculum that is high interest and high engagement. All the other programs out on the market are low engagement and low level questions.
I am seeing a change in the mindset of students whose past teachers have said, “You can try but they just will not put forth any effort.” These students are the ones saying things like, “Well, I was thinking…” and I rarely hear “I can't” anymore!
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This professional learning is designed for teachers as they begin their implementation of CPM. This series contains multiple components and is grounded in multiple active experiences delivered over the first year. This learning experience will encourage teachers to adjust their instructional practices, expand their content knowledge, and challenge their beliefs about teaching and learning. Teachers and leaders will gain first-hand experience with CPM with emphasis on what they will be teaching. Throughout this series educators will experience the mathematics, consider instructional practices, and learn about the classroom environment necessary for a successful implementation of CPM curriculum resources.
Page 2 of the Professional Learning Progression (PDF) describes all of the components of this learning event and the additional support available. Teachers new to a course, but have previously attended Foundations for Implementation, can choose to engage in the course Content Modules in the Professional Learning Portal rather than attending the entire series of learning events again.
