Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Math Curriculum topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
District presents Illustrative Math and Building Thinking Classrooms rollout across K–12
Summary
Presenters described Illustrative Math (IM) as a problem-based curriculum emphasizing student discourse and intentional unit sequencing; the district is implementing IM K–8 and extending practices through middle and high school with Building Thinking Classrooms strategies.
Presenters Kevin and Evelyn told the board that Illustrative Math (IM) is not “new math” but a problem‑based curriculum that builds learning communities and conceptual understanding. Evelyn said IM supports multiple solution methods—standard algorithm, area model and partial products—so students learn why procedures work and choose strategies that build understanding.
The presentation paired IM with Building Thinking Classrooms strategies: visible random grouping, vertical non‑permanent surfaces, huddles to introduce activities, and thin‑slicing tasks (mild/medium/spicy) for differentiation. A video and classroom examples showed students working collaboratively at whiteboards, explaining reasoning to peers, and using daily formative assessments (cool‑downs) aligned to SBA‑style questions.
Presenters reported that elementary teachers implemented two IM units last year and the district is continuing implementation this year with K–8 in IM with integrity; middle-school grades are in year‑two of rollout. They listed other districts using IM (Wilton, Weston, Madison, Brookfield, Shelton, Norwalk, South Windsor and additional districts in an IM consortium).
Board members asked about interdisciplinarity and classroom furniture; presenters said IM practices extend beyond math into humanities and science, and that flexible furniture bought last year supports group work. The board did not vote on curriculum at this meeting; curriculum approvals later on the agenda covered an AP textbook and a separate new course.
