The document outlines a professional development program aimed at enhancing math literacy among 5th-grade teachers at Troost Elementary, focusing on equipping them to support their students’ families. The program consists of a series of four sessions scheduled for September 2012 that will teach teachers various math literacy skills to improve student engagement and understanding in real-world applications. Key statistics highlight the need for improved mathematical proficiency, with only 31% of students at Troost Elementary meeting state assessment benchmarks in 2011.

1. Math Literacy –
Professional Development
Kayla Higginbotham
5th Grade Teacher – Troost Elementary
Kansas City Public Schools
khigginb@kcmsd.net
July 20, 2012

2. Purpose
• To prepare teachers to facilitate
Math Literacy sessions for their
students’ families.
• Our mission is put students on a
path where they feel confident in
mathematical literacy. By preparing
students to move past
memorization, computation, and
drill practice, we will move them
forward, not just academically, but
in real-world application as well.

3. Objective
• Teachers will be able to instruct the
parents/guardians of their students in the area
of Math Literacy.
• Parents/guardians will be given problem-solving
strategies and techniques to use while working
with their students at home to improve
mathematical literacy.

4. Key Points
• What is Math Literacy?: “Literacy can simply be defined as the ability to
read, write, speak, and use language. Mathematical Literacy implies that a
person is able to reason, analyze, formulate, and solve problems in real-world
setting,” (Martin, 2007).
• Why our students are in trouble: “The teenagers had to read the graph.
They had to interpret it, analyze it, and explain their answers in writing. It took
critical thinking. That’s where American teenagers lost it,” (ABC News, 2004).
• How to get students where they need to be: “Although mathematics is a
specific area of knowledge, the kind of thinking developed in mathematics can
be applied in all facets of life. Math teaching now emphasizes problem solving,
developing and evaluating mathematical arguments, and being able to
communicate one’s ideas. One might think of these as the new basics, the
critical tools needed in the 21st century,” (National Council of Teachers of
Mathematics, 2000).

5. The Statistics
• In 2004, the U.S. ranked 24th of out 29 countries
in mathematics for fifteen year olds.
• Only 31% of third-sixth graders combined at
Troost Elementary were proficient in
mathematics for the state assessment for the
year of 2011.

6. The Statistics Continued…

7. Overview
• This will be a 4-session series occurring every Wednesday in
September 2012.
• The first session will be on September 5, 2012.
• Sessions will take place at Troost Elementary from 4:00 p.m.– 5:15
p.m.
• Each week will focus on a specific component to help students tackle
math literacy.
• Kayla Higginbotham will lead each session. These sessions will be
predominantly focused on intermediate grades. However, if there
are volunteers to lead for primary grades, breakout sessions will
occur.

8. Overview Continued…
• Teachers will have the chance to use taught strategies with each other for the
appropriate weekly skill. The first half of each session will be when the lesson is
taught. The second half will be a time for teachers to put into practice what was
just learned. In each session, teachers will have the chance to work
independently and within cooperative learning groups.
• After teachers complete sessions, they will be equipped with
information/materials in order to lead math literacy sessions with their
students’ families. Materials include hand outs from the session, flash cards,
manipulatives, internet resources, and notes taken.
• At the end of each session, teachers will have the opportunity to give feedback
through short surveys to let presenter(s) know what was effective and what
could be improved for future sessions.

9. Tentative Schedule
Date Math Literacy Skill Overview
9/5/12 Mathematical Vocabulary Session will be focused on important
mathematical vocabulary and how to
appropriately use in context.
9/12/12 Written responses Session will be focused on how to successfully
answer written responses to mathematical
questions. Including key words and
punctuation.
9/19/12 Read, interpret and Session will be focused on how to
conceptually understand common
analyzing graphs mathematical graphs and draw
conclusions.
9/26/12 Argue for reason – Session will be focused on how to teach
students to argue for reason when they
Classroom activities believe they either know the correct answer or
have been posed with an incorrect answer.
Teachers will also be given hands-on
strategies and activities to use in the
classroom for real-world application.

10. References
1. "Achievement Level 4 Report." Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education.
N.p., 2011. Web. 19 July 2012. <http://mcds.dese.mo.gov/guidedinquiry/Achievement
%20Level%20%204%20Levels/Achievement%20Level%204%20Report%20-%20Public.aspx?
rp:DistrictCode=048078>.
2. Gouthro, Marilyn, and Janine Griffore. "Leading Math Success." Student Success in Ontario,
2004. Web. 19 July 2012.
<http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/reports/numeracy/numeracyreport.pdf>.
3. "U.S. Ranked Low in Math Literacy." ABC News. N.p., 11 Dec. 2004. Web. 19 July 2012.
<http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=319129#.UA7j-RwyDm1>.
4. Web log post. Mathematical Literacy. Blogspot, Dec. 2012. Web. 19 July 2012.
<http://mathispowerblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/what-is-mathematical-literacy_08.html>.
5. "Why Is Math Literacy so Important for Our Children?" DreamBox Learning, n.d. Web. 19 July
2012. <http://www.dreambox.com/DreamBoxLearning_NewsletterJuly08_Print.html