Best Practices

For Grades 6-12 teachers, Math
coaches, teacher leaders,
Special educators, and school
Administrators

A study of extensive NAEP data states, “mathematics
students whose teachers emphasize higher-order thinking skills
outperform their peers by about 40% of a grade level… students
whose teachers conduct hands-on learning activities outperform
their peers by more than 70% of a grade level”
(Wenglinsky, 2000 -From the Cultivating
Mathematical Thought Professional
Learning Cluster)

During the Best Practices institute, you will investigate
ways to enhance your use of higher-order thinking,
hands-on learning, and other research-based “best”
instructional practices. In particular, you will:
g Learn research-proven teaching methods for promoting
problem solving, invention, discourse, inquiry,
challenge, and achievement by all students
g Gain tools that support intensive reflection about
your students’ learning as a basis for instructional
planning and decision-making
g Sharpen your “critical eye” for teaching practices and
materials that foster:
– Student understanding, invention, and sensemaking
– A mathematically productive classroom culture
– Worthwhile mathematics tasks
– Deepened mathematical knowledge for teaching
g Learn to enhance mathematics lessons/tasks to
maximize learning
g Design your personal Best Practices Action Plan
for refining your mathematics teaching practice to
better align with the high quality teaching defined
by research and the NCTM Standards
g Participate with institute colleagues in optional online
support while you implement your plan across
the school year.