Principle 1 of teaching for social justice focuses on enabling significant work within communities of learners. It has five key points: (1) assuming all students are capable of complex ideas, (2) appropriately translating knowledge for students, (3) providing academically challenging skills, (4) having high expectations of oneself as a teacher, and (5) fostering shared responsibility for learning. Participants analyzed pictures in small groups to determine which key point each set represented and discussed personal math classroom experiences related to this principle. Open questions then explored adding to the principle's key points and applying it in teaching.

1. Principle 1: Enable significant work within communities of learnersTeaching for Social Justice

2. How have times changed for math instruction?19402010

3. How have they Not?

4. Key Points of principle 1Assume that all students are capable of dealing with complex ideasTranslate and represent knowledge appropriately for studentsProvide opportunities for students to learn academically challenging knowledge and skillsHigh expectations for oneself as a teacherFostering shared sense of responsibility for learning within collaborative groupings

5. Gallery WalkWalk around the room and examine the different sets of picturesTry and determine which of the 5 points on the previous slide best fits the setWrite the corresponding number on the chart paper and a brief commentFeel free to comment on other postsWrite your name if you would like to elaborate on your comment after the walk is finished

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11. Think of a personal experience or situation in any math class where you have witnessed this principle in action (either positive or negative)Write the situation on a piece of paper and put it in the bag. Do not write your name on it!You do not have to share anything if you don’t feel comfortable doing soSharing circle

12. Sharing circle contd…Now choose another topic from the bag, read it and feel free to share it with the rest of the class.If you pick your own, you may put it back in and choose again.

13. Open questionsWhat other key points or attributes might you add to this principle? (aside from the given 5) Which key point of this principle best fits with the teaching strategies used at Railside school? (Boaler, Jo (2006) reading)How might you apply this principle as a math teacher?