'Making Math Count' -
Elementary Curriculum Initiative
September 4, 2008
 Plano ISD School Board members heard a report on September 2 highlighting the district's mathematics initiative. Presented by Julia Haun, elementary mathematics coordinator, “Making Math Count” provided trustees with an update regarding the curriculum developed by Plano ISD teachers and curriculum department staff.
McCall Elementary School teachers who attended math training this summer included Lauren Athey, Ashley Ulmschneider, Fabiola León, Danielle Crawford, Leslie Hart, Irma Cuebas and Ximena Fennell.
Select these links to view the school board presentations.
“Our goal, as we developed the mathematics curriculum and evaluated instructional resources, was to focus on providing a strong math program for our elementary students and supporting the 5-8 grade math initiative,” Ms. Haun told trustees. “We were looking for a program that provided a strong foundation, so that the transition from elementary to middle school would be smooth.”
According to Ms. Haun, the research-based curriculum focuses on problem solving skills. “When students have a reason to use the math, they are learning to solve a problem that is real to them. Whatever the context, having an application for the mathematics improves achievement.”
Highlighted in the report were such topics as competency in basic skills, multiple solution strategies, math communication, types of assessments and technology integration. Follow this link to view the Plano ISD mathematics curriculum on our online instructional center.
Teacher Joan Bartell, Mendenhall Elementary School, shared with trustees how the math adoption has aided her students. “They became more articulate in explaining their thinking and sharing their problem solving strategies to their peers,” she said. Ms. Haun thanked departments for their contributions to the math initiative’s success.
These included library media services, which compiled a database of more than 400 math trade books and organized the distribution of supplemental math materials. Instructional technology helped organize 11,000 files, created technology lessons using “Destination Success,” and updated links and video-streaming that are part of the curriculum planner. Distribution services and M&A Technology ensured that all resources were delivered to campuses and available on the online curriculum planner.
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