Connect 9 Math

Project Title: Connect 9 Math

Project Director: Dr. Mary Lou Brown

Lead Institution: Three Rivers Community College

Duration of Project: Three years (Cycle-6 is the first year for this project)

Grade Level Focus: 4-8

Credit Hours to be Provided: 1 graduate credit hour

Project Summary:

The “Connect 9 Math” project will serve the Three Rivers Community College (TRCC) service area which encompasses these nine school districts. Five of these districts are considered high need school districts: Clearwater R-I, Doniphan R-I, East Carter County R-II, Naylor R-II and Van Buren R-I. The other four districts do not fit the definition of high need-Missouri school district for Cycle-6 of the MDHE Improving Teacher Quality Grants Program.

A cohort of grade 4-8 math teachers will participate in a four day pre-service class on mathematics’ teaching strategies and techniques tied to the state math GLEs to be held in August, 2008. The summer workshop will be followed by four quarterly workshops during the school year and online instruction and collaboration to enhance learning in: data analysis, inquiry based learning, benchmark testing, content knowledge and effective teaching practices. A math coach will work daily with cohort members to model lessons, develop materials and lesson plans, and to improve pedagogical practices. The coach will integrate math with reading and communication arts by providing a literature link in at least 33% of the lessons she models. The coach will meet regularly with higher education faculty for on-going training. Cohort members will teach with the coach present and both will work on reflective practices. Pre-service teachers will participate in the summer workshop. The math coach will model lessons and effective teaching practices for the pre-service teachers and will provide instruction in developing hands-on materials and lesson plans as part of the pre-service teacher’s educational preparation program. The “Connect 9 Math” project will deliberately pursue meaningful administrator participation by offering an incentive to the administrator’s school for follow-up activities and/or purchase of materials that will be used in the school to implement modules derived from the project.