Algebra 1 Intervention: Double Block Algebra

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Algebra 1 InterventionDouble Block Algebra

• David M. Richards, Ph.D., Principal
• Scott Ladson, Math Dept. Chair
• Amy Jager, Math Teacher
• Kyle Ray, Math Teacher
• Fraser High School
• MASA Fall 2008 Conference
• Reimagining Today, Reinventing Tomorrow

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WhosFraser?

• NE Detroit suburb 5,000 students
• 1 hs (1,700)
• 1 middle, 6 elem
• 20 FR,
• 12 minority
• What We Do Well An all A district
• Academics
• Arts
• Activities
• Athletics

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Are you satisfied with your Algebra 1 curriculum
and results?

• (We werent)

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Why did we need a change?

• Previous courses werent meeting everyones needs
• State Law (Alg, Geo, Alg 2, senior math)
• State mandated Algebra 1 curriculum more than we
  had ever taught in Algebra 1 before
• County-wide (and school-wide) failure rate of 28

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Creating a climate of urgency
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Things to ConsiderWhere do you focus and how?

• Targeted Students
• Format
• Curriculum Documents
• Teachers
• Expectations
• Technology

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Initial Targeted Students

• 60 At-Risk students who
• Failed the 7th and 8th grade MEAPs
• Failed a placement test based on the 7th grade
  GLCEs
• http//mathassessments.mscenters.org
• 34 MC questions, calculators allowed, 45 minutes
• Were teacher recommended (as much as possible)

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Possible Formats

• Reformat schedule with 60 minutes daily for
  Math, English and Science
• Add an after school class to supplement Algebra
  1
• Add a support class that pulls together students
  from various classes.
• Schedule a Double Block Algebra
• 90-minutes every day
• Same students, no changes at semester
• Small size maximum 20
• Same teacher

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Curriculum Documents

• Implementing the Algebra 1 Units from Macomb ISD
• Taught in units that make sense to the students
• Builds upon what theyve learned
• Not skills in isolation, but in context
• Problem solving built in (WorkKeys)
• Hands-on whenever possible (techy)
• Common Aligned lessons and assessments written
  hand-in-hand with HSCEs
• HSCE-based activities

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Teachers

• Who
• Believe that it is possible for all students to
  succeed
• Are willing to go far beyond what should be
  expected of them
• Are open-minded and able to adapt at a moments
  notice
• Have no other life -)
• Were trained
• MISD Implementing Algebra 1 Units
• Texas Instruments International Conference
• Dynamic Classroom Assessment
• MISD Math Tech Day
• MCTM, DACTM conferences

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Expectations

• High
• (Need anymore be said?)

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Technology

• Why is this important?
• What
• TI-84s graphing calculators
• Promethean Boards (now activotes too!)
• Smartview (computer based TI-84)
• CBR 2s (Motion Detectors)
• Fathom Software (for data analysis)
• TI-Navigator (to wirelessly link the TI-84s)
• Data Projectors

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Direct Results

• 81 passing rate in the Double Block vs. 73
  passing rate in county and in school
• Realize that most, if not all, of the Double
  Block students would have failed in the regular
  class
• Better student understanding of Algebra 1
  curriculum
• Hopefully to be carried over to Algebra 2 and the
  MME!
• Better attitude towards math (Can do attitude)
• Feelings of success and accomplishment for all
  involved.
• Program expanded to 140 students for 2008-2009 (7
  classes vs. 3 classes)

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Indirect Results

• Traditional Algebra teachers decided to follow
  the ISD Implementing Algebra curriculum to a
  lesser extent
• Teachers really looking at curriculum/HSCEs
• Making better connections
• Not teaching facts in isolation, but as a
  thematic unit
• 12 out of 13 teachers volunteering to attend 8
  day training this past summer
• Smarter tech use in dept.
• Already restructuring the Alg 2 curriculum

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Downsides

• Time (200 hours and counting so far -)
• Met on a week-by-week basis to develop the
  curriculum (not lesson plan)
• Web searches for, and rewrites of, existing
  activities
• Curriculum no longer in our texts
• MISD Implementing Algebra 1 Units is a framework,
  not a fully developed curriculum
• Beware the dumping ground
• Training on tech/curriculum

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SummaryWhere we focused

• Targeted Students who would not have been
  successful with our typical Algebra 1
• Format Increased classroom time to 90 minutes
  everyday, same students
• Curriculum Documents Algebra 1 Units and
  common/aligned lessons assessments
• Teachers Dedicated, Willing, Believing
• Expectations HIGH
• Technology Smarter and more tech usage

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Contact Us

• David.Richards_at_FraserK12.org
• Scott.Ladson_at_FraserK12.org
• Amy.Jager_at_FraserK12.org
• Kyle.Ray_at_FraserK12.org