California Math Practices and Standards
Using CGI as the lens to teach the California Math Standards
What is CGI?
"Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) (Carpenter, Fennema, Franke, Levi, & Empson, 1999) is a professional development program based on an integrated program of research focused on (a) the development of students’ mathematical thinking; (b) instruction that influences that development; (c) teachers knowledge and beliefs that influence their instructional practices; and (d) the way that teachers’ knowledge, beliefs, and practices are influenced by their understanding of students’ mathematical thinking."
Read this full report on the research-based Teacher Development Program for Elementary School Mathematics here.
This video by Dr. Jo Boaler, a professor of mathematics at Stanford University, provides parents with research evidence on the reasons Common Core Mathematics is needed in the United States. It addresses the tasks and questions used in mathematics classrooms, mindset, problem-solving, and advancement and tracking.
Here are a few additional parent resources to look through by Jo Boaler:
Fluency Without Fear: Research Evidence on the Best Ways to Learn Math Facts
Youcubed for Parents
Paul Giganti, Jr. of the California Math Council writes:"When you look at the (CA Common Core Math) Standards for individual grade levels, you will see many similarities, and some notable differences. However, what may change the most in California's classrooms is HOW mathematics is taught and what students will be expected to learn beyond basic skills."Please see his complete article at The CA Math Council's website has a link specifically for families with resources that include "Math at Home" a downloadable PDF booklet. Or if you prefer to read just one article at a time, click on any article link below to download a PDF file of just that article:*Another excellent resource for parents by grade level are the "Parent Roadmaps to the Common Core Standards - Mathematics" from the Council on the Great City Schools. These publications provide guidance to parents about what their child will be learning and how they can support that learning in each grade level K-8. They also provide a three-year snapshot that shows how selected progress from year to year to prepare students to be "college and career ready" upon high school graduation.
Acceleration
Substantial evidence indicates that it is not beneficial to accelerate students in math at the elementary level. Multiple acceleration points are available at the middle school level to assure that all students are challenged appropriately and will have the opportunity to reach the highest level of coursework when they are in high school. Recognizing that there are outliers, who may benefit from acceleration, parents of any 4th grade student who scores in the top 5% in math on the 4th grade CAASPP assessment will be contacted after scores have been released to discuss additional assessments for possible acceleration.