By Andrew Hackmack
The new program, HSP Math, is being used in grades K-5.
A district math committee spent two years looking for a new math program after it was evident that teachers were not satisfied with the old one. Danny Rothbard, the math specialist at Willow Road School, explained that old program had a spiraling format in which a topic would be introduced and re-visited at a later time.
It also was not aligned well to New York state standards, Rothbard noted, leaving a lot of gaps in the instruction plan. Because of that, the district-s math specialists spent a lot of time doing curriculum writing to fill in these gaps and seeking out supplemental learning materials. It just got to the point where the teachers wanted something more tangible, he said.
Two years ago, the math committee studied several math programs and piloted one they felt would address the district-s needs. It did not, and the committee went back to searching. After piloting HSP Math last year, they knew they had found a winner. We liked it so much we decided to adopt the program, Rothbard said.
HSP Math is a comprehensive program, Rothbard explained, and has a wealth of resources for students and teachers. The program has materials to support everyone from the most struggling students to the most advanced. There are components to support students who do not speak English as their native language as well.
Fourth grade teacher Donna Quartuccio said that she can assign homework on an individual basis based on a child-s skill level. For those students who are fast learners, the program includes a variety of enrichment materials which get students thinking at a higher level.
Quartuccio explained that the program supports differentiated instruction, meaning that it recognizes that children don-t all learn the same way. They know that if they don-t get it the first time, she said of her students, there are different ways you can show them.
Children in grades K-2 have consumable textbooks, meaning they can work directly in those books. In the upper grades, there are hard cover textbooks. There are also workbooks for students at every level.
Teachers also have a wide variety of other resources they can use. There are books with work sheets to support just about any skill level, Rothbard explained. An assessment guide gives teachers chapter tests right at their disposal. He explained that these tests are modeled after the New York state assessments, which features a mix of multiple choice and constructed response questions.
Kindergarten teacher Vicky Mitchell said she likes all the hands-on components that come with the program, which is necessary to grab the attention of young children. She said the new program is making math fun in her classroom.
Math is their favorite part of the day now, Mitchell said. They just love it. They-re thinking like mathematicians at 5 years old.
Mitchell said that the books are very vibrant and show pictures of real objects so that children can relate math to life. The program is well-designed, she said, so it allows her to take her lessons to a higher level.
She also likes the workbooks, because parents can see what their children are learning and provide support at home. We-ve really never had a math program that included the workbooks, said Mitchell, who has taught in the district for more than 20 years.
Linda Roth, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, cited another benefit of the program. It has a big technology piece, she said.
The teachers have numerous resources available online, she said. The students also have access to their textbook through the company-s Web site, so they don-t have to bring home their book every night. There are also a wide variety of tutorials and math games available online.
Roth said that for the Nov. 4 superintendent-s conference day, teachers in grades 2-5 will receive extra training on the technology resources available through HSP Math. The trainings will be ongoing throughout the year, Roth said. We need to support the teachers through change.
The math specialists at each building meet with a point person at every grade level once every five to six weeks to talk about how the implementation of the new program is going, and what topics will be covered in the coming weeks.
In addition to Rothbard, Neil Sklar serves as the math specialist at the James A. Dever School, Kristen Lees at Wheeler Avenue and Danielle Van Blerck filling in for Corinne Cortes at Howell Road. Roth said these individuals have led the way in the implementation of the new program. Teachers need to be supported and the math specialists do that, she said.
Roth noted that one charge of the math specialists is to design pacing maps for each grade level. That means deciding what topics get covered at what time and for how long. She said this is important because certain topics at each grade level must be taught before the math assessments in March.
Despite all common planning, Roth said the teachers still have plenty of leeway with their instruction. Roth said they do not want to stifle a teacher-s ability to use their knowledge and creativity. We never want to micromanage a teacher, she said.
Rothbard said the program allows teachers to take the materials and lessons available to them, and adapt it to best meet the needs of the children in their classroom. Many teachers, he explained, will take a concept from the program and design their own visual material or hands-on activity.
Roth noted that whenever a new program is adopted, there is always a learning curve but so far the transition has been smooth. She said that feedback from teachers is important to make sure that the program is being implemented as best as it can.
The early returns on HSP Math are good. It-s a well-thought out program, Roth said, that understands we have many different kinds of learner in our schools.
