USMRC News and Events A Welcome From New USMRC Officers Mari Muri and Debora Shiflett Hello All!
Hello!
I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome you back to this school year. In these difficult economic times, I’m sure you will have to cope with many changes in your schools. As part of the Math Recovery community, you have proven your dedication to teaching and are ready to weather this storm.
This past July, I attended my first Math Recovery Board meeting as Treasurer. During the meeting, we discussed the need to let our members know more about the US Math Recovery Council (USMRC) and about what we hope to accomplish. Although USMRC is a not-for-profit organization, it must still stay sound financially so it can invest as Shiflett much as possible in math education. Because there are no shareholders, USMRC is free to invest in its vision “to create and foster attitudes, cultures, and climates that lead to change in mathematics learning and teaching practices.”
Muri
To introduce myself, I was an elementary classroom teacher and Math Instructional Consultant for many years in Connecticut. I moved to the State Department of Education as a state level math consultant for 15 years before retiring in 2003. Now I consult with schools through the Project to Increase Mastery of Mathematics and Science (PIMMS) at Wesleyan University.
• Guiding the finance committee to create a set of strong financial controls, particularly around the growth strategy • Assisting with business plans to support the board’s strategic vision
As a new Board member and Treasurer, I have enjoyed meeting all of the people who have contributed to the USMRC and am delighted to be asked to help support the work that all MR members do on a daily basis. Debora Shiflett, Treasurer USMRC Board of Directors
Mari Muri, Chair USMRC Board of Directors
Debora Shiflett is the Director of Financial Training at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She has extensive experience in both financial analysis and education.
Mari Muri has been an active member of the USMRC for two years. Last year, she served as chair of the Board Development Committee and this year she was elected by the Board as its 2009-2010 chair.
Spotlight on Newly-Selected Board Member . . . Kyle
Kinoshita
What’s Inside: Connect MR Update • • • Finger Patterns for Pre-School Children page 2 Summer Institute 2009 Recap • • • Announcing the 2010 National Conference! page 3
fosters our commitment to expand its reach across our district.” As a USMRC board member, Kyle hopes to expand the impact of Math Recovery at a time when schools are being asked to intensify their efforts to attack the underachievement of students. Kyle believes that Math Recovery has great potential to intervene in the cycle of failure that often besets disadvantaged students. Before coming to Marysville School District in 2007, Kyle completed his Bachelor’s degree in Social Studies/Ethnic Studies from Western Washington University. He received his Elementary teaching and principal certification, Master’s degree and his doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Washington.
Welcome Letters from USMRC’s Mari Muri and Debora Shiflett • • • Spotlight on Kyle Kinoshita • • • page 4
n
2009
Math Recovery and Stimulus Plan Make Perfect Partners Earlier this year, Congress approved the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), more commonly known as the Stimulus Plan. A large portion of the allocated funds, estimated at up to $100 billion, has been targeted towards education, especially to help bolster state and local school districts. Many of the objectives that have been identified to qualify for Stimulus money correspond directly with the services provided by Math Recovery and its programs. Math Recovery was uniquely developed to provide teachers and educators with results-oriented assessment and intervention tools. By targeting students at the K-5 level, Math Recovery helps set the stage for remarkable success in their future mathematical development. Many of the education-related grants in the Stimulus aim to provide funds for programs that help schools identify causes for low performance and to develop intervention strategies that will demonstrate measurable progress each year. In many of the districts and states utilizing Math Recovery programs, these goals have been achieved with resounding success. A large part of Math Recovery’s strength comes from prioritizing quality professional development for teachers and educators. With a variety of programs aimed at specific areas of teacher quality improvement, Math Recovery aims to equip and support substantive early education intervention, a perfect fit for the goals of the Stimulus plan. Math Recovery programs are helping schools close the achievement gaps and raise students’ proficiency in math. Note: If your district is using stimulus money for Math Recovery, Add+VantageMR or SNAP, please contact the Math Recovery Business Office at info@mathrecovery.org as this information would be helpful in developing case studies.
G E N E R A L I N F O R M AT I O N
Executive Director • Jenny Cobb • jenny@mathrecovery.org Business Manager • David Taylor • david@mathrecovery.org
FALL
• Providing financial education for the board
We encourage you to support us by communicating your ideas to improve the efforts of US Math Recovery. Email Jenny Cobb, our Executive Director, at jenny@mathrecovery.org or me at mmuri@wesleyan.edu. We as a Board stand ready to serve you!
US Math Recovery Council • 205 Powell Place • Brentwood, TN 37027 Phone: 615-369-0700 • Fax: 615-369-0701 • E-mail: info@mathrecovery.org Web: www.mathrecovery.org
n
Math Recovery newsletter
In my role as Treasurer, I hope to support this vision by…
Recently the USMRC Board met to set goals, review our mission and outline a vision for the Council to sustain our growth, strengthen our core programs and promote our credibility through active research and partnerships. Our key objective is to increase the relevance, viability and reach of the Math Recovery work supported by the Council.
As Executive Director of Teaching and Learning in the Marysville School District in Washington State, Kyle’s responsibilities include elementary math and supporting the growth of Math Recovery and related teacher professional development programs in the school district. Math Recovery has been in place for four years at one elementary on the Tulalip Indian Reservation, located within the district, where it has Kinoshita begun to spur steady achievement growth in math in the mostly Native American student body. “We see the power of Math Recovery with students who have been traditionally underserved. That
issue 8
Events & Communications Mgr. • Betsega Bekele • Betsega@mathrecovery.org Operations Manager • Tracy Fesler • Tracy@mathrecovery.org Newsletter Editor • Kip Kirby • KipKirby@comcast.net Summer Institute pics: jenm. Photography // Jen McDonald Copyright © 2009 by the US Math Recovery Council. All rights reserved.
printed on 50% recycled products
A NON PROFIT ORGANIZ ATION W W W . M ATH R E C O V E R Y. O R G
Don’t miss out on the benefits of being a Math Recovery member.
RENEW NOW AT MATHRECOVERY.ORG!
A Newsletter For Math Recovery Teaching Professionals
Connect
with Math Recovery
Connect to ConnectMR! Your Resource for Math Recovery Content
W
hether you have attended a SNAP, Add+VantageMR or Intervention Specialist course, ConnectMR is the place for you! ConnectMR is your tool to gather additional content after you complete your professional development course. In continuing our commitment to in-depth professional development, Math Recovery endeavors to provide quality resources for teachers, leaders, champions and facilitators. All current Math Recovery members who have completed an MR course will receive access to additional materials for that respective course on ConnectMR. If you are a current Math Recovery member but don’t know if you have ConnectMR access, contact the Math Recovery office at ConnectMR@mathrecovery.org. If you are not a current MR member, go to www.mathrecovery.org/about/membership-information to purchase your membership online. New AVMR membership is available to all Add+VantageMR teachers – go to the Math Recovery website for more information!
Fire Away With Finger Patterns
“Hey
Mama, can I have this many cookies?” shouted my two-year-old as he flashed me four fingers. My friend looked over at my son and said, “Whoa, how did you get him to do that?” Working with Math Recovery was my profession, and two years ago I noticed how Math Recovery had influenced my parenting.
One day during a finger pattern lesson, I told my student, “You are firing away one finger at a time. Start with your hand in a fist and have the thumb hold the other fingers in place. When I say, ‘fire away,’ release one finger at a time.” The common language that I developed was a hit. My students quickly dove into all the math inside finger patterns.
When I first began as a Math Recovery specialist, I found some of the finger pattern lessons difficult for my students. They did not know how to physically make finger patterns or they had a hard time holding their fingers down. The lessons were lost because we were making patterns in different ways and I felt I was repeatedly telling them how to make patterns.
Immediately, I caught myself using this same “fire away” language with my two-year-old son. He loved it when I asked him to fire away how old he was on his fingers. As an active two-yearold, he always did it with sound effects and lots of motion. He caught on quickly, and we started working with finger patterns and just about everything we could count. It wasn’t long before my friends
By Kellie Merrill
began to notice him counting and making finger patterns and wanted to know how they could teach their children. To document and share the journey, I began a blog of my son learning math through finger patterns that included videos and pictures. (http://fireawaywithfingerpatterns.blogspot.com/)
Math Recovery’s Summer Institute in June featured a week of intensive training, breakout groups, presentations and discussions with 53 registrants attending. During the week, Elizabeth Jean Bingham, Dawn Dibley and Tina Silvestri presented their portfolios and were certified as new Math Recovery Leaders! New course additions at this year’s Institute included “Extending the Framework: Multiplication and Division,” and “Reflecting and Refining Early Math Intervention” (MR Intervention Specialist Level 2). Faculty included Dr. Bob Wright, Kurt Kinsey, Petey MacCarty, Lisa Mesple, Dee Swanson, Patty King and Dr. Pam Tabor.
“I was ama zed that we all still struggle wit h a lot of the same things.”
the Lisa Mesple and Dee Swanson lead AVMR Champion session.
e.
ugh Kurt Kinsey works thro tion rven Inte MR in problem Specialist course.
Save the date for the 2010 Summer Institute: June 20-26 in Nashville!
“I enjo yed the
“Over whe lming – I’m going to be tak ing so much info rmation back to my scho ol dist rict !”
nd en ough “I can’t beg in to rec omme tit ute !” thi s exp erien ce at the Ins
Tina Silvestri gives her Leader Presentation. Participants at this year’s Summer
n I ant icipated.” port folio pres entation s much more tha
Institute opening reception.
“I’ve lear ned to look at structur ing wit
h diff eren t lens es.”
Math Recovery 2010 National Conference April 28-30, 2010 • albuquerque, new mexico
P
It was impressive to see similar skills taught in Math Recovery to first graders being demonstrated by toddlers. Two years ago I had a second son, and he has been exposed to finger patterns and counting at an even younger age than his brother. The best part is that neither of my sons see it as an intimidating math lesson. They are simply developing confidence, enjoying life, and finding how math is part of every day.
Dr. Bob Wright in New Leader cours
A Look Back at Summer Institute 2009
Kellie Merrill (shown here with her sons Dylan and Riley) is a Math Intervention Specialist at Valle Vista in Albuquerque, NM where she uses Math Recovery and ADD+VantageMR to instruct her first-grade students. To read Kellie’s article in its entirety, visit Professional Profiles at www.mathrecovery.org
lan to join us next April as Math Recovery journeys to the heart of the scenic Southwest for the 2010 National Conference! Next year’s Conference will be held at the beautiful Embassy Suites Hotel in downtown Albuquerque. This upscale, all-suites hotel features a world-class spa, and is conveniently situated between the University of New Mexico campus and the Albuquerque Convention Center, close to the Albuquerque International Airport. Returning as keynote speaker will be Dr. Bob Wright of Southern Cross University in Australia. Koeno Gravemeijer Joining him as first-time Conference keynote speaker is Koeno Gravemeijer, Professor of Science and Technology Education at Eind-
hoven University in The Netherlands. His areas of expertise include statistics and mathematics education, teacher enhancement, and the use of symbols and modeling by students. Want to maximize your Math Recovery experience? Then come to Albuquerque a day early
“Join us for Math in the mountains!”
and enjoy a full slate of pre-Conference activities on Tuesday, April 27! We’re also offering Certification and re-Certification programs Friday afternoon and Saturday morning following the Conference. Visit www.mathrecovery.org for Conference updates, including program registration and hotel information, accessible through the online Conference link under “PD Events & Courses.”
You’re Invited . . . . . . To join your Math Recovery colleagues who have shared the unique experience of presenting at our National Conference! Just click on the PD Events & Courses tab at www.mathrecovery. org or check out the insert in this newsletter for more information. Deadline for submission is Nov. 13. Need more incentive? Once again, every Conference presenter will receive one free pre-Conference seminar registration!
A Newsletter For Math Recovery Teaching Professionals
Connect
with Math Recovery
Connect to ConnectMR! Your Resource for Math Recovery Content
W
hether you have attended a SNAP, Add+VantageMR or Intervention Specialist course, ConnectMR is the place for you! ConnectMR is your tool to gather additional content after you complete your professional development course. In continuing our commitment to in-depth professional development, Math Recovery endeavors to provide quality resources for teachers, leaders, champions and facilitators. All current Math Recovery members who have completed an MR course will receive access to additional materials for that respective course on ConnectMR. If you are a current Math Recovery member but don’t know if you have ConnectMR access, contact the Math Recovery office at ConnectMR@mathrecovery.org. If you are not a current MR member, go to www.mathrecovery.org/about/membership-information to purchase your membership online. New AVMR membership is available to all Add+VantageMR teachers – go to the Math Recovery website for more information!
Fire Away With Finger Patterns
“Hey
Mama, can I have this many cookies?” shouted my two-year-old as he flashed me four fingers. My friend looked over at my son and said, “Whoa, how did you get him to do that?” Working with Math Recovery was my profession, and two years ago I noticed how Math Recovery had influenced my parenting.
One day during a finger pattern lesson, I told my student, “You are firing away one finger at a time. Start with your hand in a fist and have the thumb hold the other fingers in place. When I say, ‘fire away,’ release one finger at a time.” The common language that I developed was a hit. My students quickly dove into all the math inside finger patterns.
When I first began as a Math Recovery specialist, I found some of the finger pattern lessons difficult for my students. They did not know how to physically make finger patterns or they had a hard time holding their fingers down. The lessons were lost because we were making patterns in different ways and I felt I was repeatedly telling them how to make patterns.
Immediately, I caught myself using this same “fire away” language with my two-year-old son. He loved it when I asked him to fire away how old he was on his fingers. As an active two-yearold, he always did it with sound effects and lots of motion. He caught on quickly, and we started working with finger patterns and just about everything we could count. It wasn’t long before my friends
By Kellie Merrill
began to notice him counting and making finger patterns and wanted to know how they could teach their children. To document and share the journey, I began a blog of my son learning math through finger patterns that included videos and pictures. (http://fireawaywithfingerpatterns.blogspot.com/)
Math Recovery’s Summer Institute in June featured a week of intensive training, breakout groups, presentations and discussions with 53 registrants attending. During the week, Elizabeth Jean Bingham, Dawn Dibley and Tina Silvestri presented their portfolios and were certified as new Math Recovery Leaders! New course additions at this year’s Institute included “Extending the Framework: Multiplication and Division,” and “Reflecting and Refining Early Math Intervention” (MR Intervention Specialist Level 2). Faculty included Dr. Bob Wright, Kurt Kinsey, Petey MacCarty, Lisa Mesple, Dee Swanson, Patty King and Dr. Pam Tabor.
“I was ama zed that we all still struggle wit h a lot of the same things.”
the Lisa Mesple and Dee Swanson lead AVMR Champion session.
e.
ugh Kurt Kinsey works thro tion rven Inte MR in problem Specialist course.
Save the date for the 2010 Summer Institute: June 20-26 in Nashville!
“I enjo yed the
“Over whe lming – I’m going to be tak ing so much info rmation back to my scho ol dist rict !”
nd en ough “I can’t beg in to rec omme tit ute !” thi s exp erien ce at the Ins
Tina Silvestri gives her Leader Presentation. Participants at this year’s Summer
n I ant icipated.” port folio pres entation s much more tha
Institute opening reception.
“I’ve lear ned to look at structur ing wit
h diff eren t lens es.”
Math Recovery 2010 National Conference April 28-30, 2010 • albuquerque, new mexico
P
It was impressive to see similar skills taught in Math Recovery to first graders being demonstrated by toddlers. Two years ago I had a second son, and he has been exposed to finger patterns and counting at an even younger age than his brother. The best part is that neither of my sons see it as an intimidating math lesson. They are simply developing confidence, enjoying life, and finding how math is part of every day.
Dr. Bob Wright in New Leader cours
A Look Back at Summer Institute 2009
Kellie Merrill (shown here with her sons Dylan and Riley) is a Math Intervention Specialist at Valle Vista in Albuquerque, NM where she uses Math Recovery and ADD+VantageMR to instruct her first-grade students. To read Kellie’s article in its entirety, visit Professional Profiles at www.mathrecovery.org
lan to join us next April as Math Recovery journeys to the heart of the scenic Southwest for the 2010 National Conference! Next year’s Conference will be held at the beautiful Embassy Suites Hotel in downtown Albuquerque. This upscale, all-suites hotel features a world-class spa, and is conveniently situated between the University of New Mexico campus and the Albuquerque Convention Center, close to the Albuquerque International Airport. Returning as keynote speaker will be Dr. Bob Wright of Southern Cross University in Australia. Koeno Gravemeijer Joining him as first-time Conference keynote speaker is Koeno Gravemeijer, Professor of Science and Technology Education at Eind-
hoven University in The Netherlands. His areas of expertise include statistics and mathematics education, teacher enhancement, and the use of symbols and modeling by students. Want to maximize your Math Recovery experience? Then come to Albuquerque a day early
“Join us for Math in the mountains!”
and enjoy a full slate of pre-Conference activities on Tuesday, April 27! We’re also offering Certification and re-Certification programs Friday afternoon and Saturday morning following the Conference. Visit www.mathrecovery.org for Conference updates, including program registration and hotel information, accessible through the online Conference link under “PD Events & Courses.”
You’re Invited . . . . . . To join your Math Recovery colleagues who have shared the unique experience of presenting at our National Conference! Just click on the PD Events & Courses tab at www.mathrecovery. org or check out the insert in this newsletter for more information. Deadline for submission is Nov. 13. Need more incentive? Once again, every Conference presenter will receive one free pre-Conference seminar registration!
USMRC News and Events A Welcome From New USMRC Officers Mari Muri and Debora Shiflett Hello All!
Hello!
I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome you back to this school year. In these difficult economic times, I’m sure you will have to cope with many changes in your schools. As part of the Math Recovery community, you have proven your dedication to teaching and are ready to weather this storm.
This past July, I attended my first Math Recovery Board meeting as Treasurer. During the meeting, we discussed the need to let our members know more about the US Math Recovery Council (USMRC) and about what we hope to accomplish. Although USMRC is a not-for-profit organization, it must still stay sound financially so it can invest as Shiflett much as possible in math education. Because there are no shareholders, USMRC is free to invest in its vision “to create and foster attitudes, cultures, and climates that lead to change in mathematics learning and teaching practices.”
Muri
To introduce myself, I was an elementary classroom teacher and Math Instructional Consultant for many years in Connecticut. I moved to the State Department of Education as a state level math consultant for 15 years before retiring in 2003. Now I consult with schools through the Project to Increase Mastery of Mathematics and Science (PIMMS) at Wesleyan University.
• Guiding the finance committee to create a set of strong financial controls, particularly around the growth strategy • Assisting with business plans to support the board’s strategic vision
As a new Board member and Treasurer, I have enjoyed meeting all of the people who have contributed to the USMRC and am delighted to be asked to help support the work that all MR members do on a daily basis. Debora Shiflett, Treasurer USMRC Board of Directors
Mari Muri, Chair USMRC Board of Directors
Debora Shiflett is the Director of Financial Training at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She has extensive experience in both financial analysis and education.
Mari Muri has been an active member of the USMRC for two years. Last year, she served as chair of the Board Development Committee and this year she was elected by the Board as its 2009-2010 chair.
Spotlight on Newly-Selected Board Member . . . Kyle
Kinoshita
What’s Inside: Connect MR Update • • • Finger Patterns for Pre-School Children page 2 Summer Institute 2009 Recap • • • Announcing the 2010 National Conference! page 3
fosters our commitment to expand its reach across our district.” As a USMRC board member, Kyle hopes to expand the impact of Math Recovery at a time when schools are being asked to intensify their efforts to attack the underachievement of students. Kyle believes that Math Recovery has great potential to intervene in the cycle of failure that often besets disadvantaged students. Before coming to Marysville School District in 2007, Kyle completed his Bachelor’s degree in Social Studies/Ethnic Studies from Western Washington University. He received his Elementary teaching and principal certification, Master’s degree and his doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Washington.
Welcome Letters from USMRC’s Mari Muri and Debora Shiflett • • • Spotlight on Kyle Kinoshita • • • page 4
n
2009
Math Recovery and Stimulus Plan Make Perfect Partners Earlier this year, Congress approved the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), more commonly known as the Stimulus Plan. A large portion of the allocated funds, estimated at up to $100 billion, has been targeted towards education, especially to help bolster state and local school districts. Many of the objectives that have been identified to qualify for Stimulus money correspond directly with the services provided by Math Recovery and its programs. Math Recovery was uniquely developed to provide teachers and educators with results-oriented assessment and intervention tools. By targeting students at the K-5 level, Math Recovery helps set the stage for remarkable success in their future mathematical development. Many of the education-related grants in the Stimulus aim to provide funds for programs that help schools identify causes for low performance and to develop intervention strategies that will demonstrate measurable progress each year. In many of the districts and states utilizing Math Recovery programs, these goals have been achieved with resounding success. A large part of Math Recovery’s strength comes from prioritizing quality professional development for teachers and educators. With a variety of programs aimed at specific areas of teacher quality improvement, Math Recovery aims to equip and support substantive early education intervention, a perfect fit for the goals of the Stimulus plan. Math Recovery programs are helping schools close the achievement gaps and raise students’ proficiency in math. Note: If your district is using stimulus money for Math Recovery, Add+VantageMR or SNAP, please contact the Math Recovery Business Office at info@mathrecovery.org as this information would be helpful in developing case studies.
G E N E R A L I N F O R M AT I O N
Executive Director • Jenny Cobb • jenny@mathrecovery.org Business Manager • David Taylor • david@mathrecovery.org
FALL
• Providing financial education for the board
We encourage you to support us by communicating your ideas to improve the efforts of US Math Recovery. Email Jenny Cobb, our Executive Director, at jenny@mathrecovery.org or me at mmuri@wesleyan.edu. We as a Board stand ready to serve you!
US Math Recovery Council • 205 Powell Place • Brentwood, TN 37027 Phone: 615-369-0700 • Fax: 615-369-0701 • E-mail: info@mathrecovery.org Web: www.mathrecovery.org
n
Math Recovery newsletter
In my role as Treasurer, I hope to support this vision by…
Recently the USMRC Board met to set goals, review our mission and outline a vision for the Council to sustain our growth, strengthen our core programs and promote our credibility through active research and partnerships. Our key objective is to increase the relevance, viability and reach of the Math Recovery work supported by the Council.
As Executive Director of Teaching and Learning in the Marysville School District in Washington State, Kyle’s responsibilities include elementary math and supporting the growth of Math Recovery and related teacher professional development programs in the school district. Math Recovery has been in place for four years at one elementary on the Tulalip Indian Reservation, located within the district, where it has Kinoshita begun to spur steady achievement growth in math in the mostly Native American student body. “We see the power of Math Recovery with students who have been traditionally underserved. That
issue 8
Events & Communications Mgr. • Betsega Bekele • Betsega@mathrecovery.org Operations Manager • Tracy Fesler • Tracy@mathrecovery.org Newsletter Editor • Kip Kirby • KipKirby@comcast.net Summer Institute pics: jenm. Photography // Jen McDonald Copyright © 2009 by the US Math Recovery Council. All rights reserved.
printed on 50% recycled products
A NON PROFIT ORGANIZ ATION W W W . M ATH R E C O V E R Y. O R G
Don’t miss out on the benefits of being a Math Recovery member.
RENEW NOW AT MATHRECOVERY.ORG!