NCTMs Curriculum Focal Points and You

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NCTMs Curriculum Focal Points and You

• Dennis C. Ebersole
• Northampton CC
• June 21, 2007

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What are the Curriculum Focal Points?

• Most important math topics, by grade level, for
  lasting learning
• Three focal points per grade level
• Connections to other math content at that grade
  level
• Connections to previous and future content

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What are the Curriculum Focal Points?

• Major instructional goals by grade
• Desirable learning outcomes by grade
• Expectations for all students (equity)
• Recognize that students learn at different rates
• Coherent middle school curriculum without algebra
• Can be adjusted to include algebra in grade 8

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What are the Curriculum Focal Points?

• Topics to be considered when developing the math
  curriculum
• Related ideas, concepts, skills, and procedures
• Mathematical content needed for future
  mathematics learning
• Core mathematical ideas or topics on which the
  other concepts build

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What are the Curriculum Focal Points?

• A way to focus the teaching, learning, and
  assessing of mathematics around the Big Ideas for
  that grade
• An approach that helps districts align the math
  curriculum vertically and horizontally
• Allows emphasis on the processes of mathematics,
  the habits of mind of the mathematically literate
• An extension of Principles and Standards for
  School Mathematics

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Why Curriculum Focal Points?

• Successful national curricula have at most 10 key
  concepts per grade level
• Most U. S. math curricula have over 30 key
  concepts per grade level
• To enable students to learn the content in the
  context of a focused and cohesive curriculum
• To allow a focus on problem solving, reasoning,
  and critical thinking

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Why Curriculum Focal Points?

• To develop deeper understanding, mastery
• To ensure focus is developmentally appropriate
• To help students see how new concepts build on
  previous learning
• To allow time for student explorations, for
  students to construct meaning

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Why Curriculum Focal Points?

• To allow time to focus on Why as well as How
• To promote student understanding
• To provide time for mathematical communication,
  exploration of various representations
• To promote discussion and dialogue about
  important mathematics

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How do the focal points relate to the PSSA?

• Each team will be given a grade level Curriculum
  Focal Point and the associated Pennsylvania
  mathematics standards
• Your mission is to discuss how the PA standards
  could be addressed while emphasizing on the
  curriculum focal points
• Be prepared to report your findings to the whole
  group