Sunday, June 18, 2017

Don't Throw Out the Baby with the Bath Water!!! 3 Things to do to prepare for the new Virginia Math SOLs.



Virginia’s Math Standards are changing!!  The 2016 Math Standards of Learning in Virginia have been adopted and will become a part of the curriculum in math classrooms across the state.  However, keep in mind, in the 2017-2018 school year, the 2009 Math SOLs are the ones that are being tested. 
In Virginia, it is called the ‘Crosswalk’ year and teachers begin teaching the new content in preparation for the new test in 2018-2019.  Students will see questions about the new content in field test items on the SOL tests in 2017-2018.  There is even a Crosswalk document on the Department of Education website that shows what the new content will be and what content is being deleted at each grade level.  It also shows where things are being moved within the same grade level.
So, before you throw out all of your current math resources, remember, many things are not changing.  Here are 3 steps to organize for the change.
1.        Identify the things that will be deleted from the grade level.  Be careful here as well though.
a.       Even though naming polygons with up to 10 sides is deleted from the fourth grade standards it is, in fact, now in third grade. 
b.       Identifying examples of properties by name is now not required but students are expected to be able to use the properties in solving problems.
I am currently updating products to identify deletions (things that will not require mastery at the grade level of before the grade level) and flag them for teacher reference.
2.       Identify the new content at each grade level.
a.       Some things (rounding to decimal places, naming polygons, transformations, etc.) are moved to a different grade level and there are already resources available that will be helpful.
b.       Some of the ‘new’ is found in the Curriculum Framework and will require ‘tweaking’.  The crosswalk documents point out areas where ‘parameter’ changes and clarifications can be found.
I am currently identifying resources that can be ‘re-aligned’ to show the 2016 grade level where mastery is expected.  I am also working on new products to support ‘additions’ or new content as well as clarifications and parameter changes. 
3.       As you use resources in the 2017-2018 year organize them for the upcoming changes.
a.       If a resource will be a good fit for the 2016 SOLs (although it might need a new identifying ‘number’) and is still a tried and true resource, keep it.
b.       If a resource needs some adjustments to make sure the new parameters and clarifications are covered, flag it for revising for the 2018-2019 school year.
c.       If a resource is no longer meeting your needs at your grade level it may be time to let it go.
I am currently updating products with new VA SOL alignment numbers as well as attention to the new parameters and clarifications and will flag those products as they are updated.

Check out Sandy's SPOT on TpT for a variety of resources to support Virginia MATH SOLs!!