.png?width=2000&height=675&name=2023%20ALN_standard-red%20(3).png "All Learners Network logo")
The Five Key Components for Unlocking Math Progress
All Learners Network (ALN) is committed to improving math pedagogy so that all students can access quality math instruction. We know that it is time to move away from antiquated notions around math education and focus on strong pedagogy. It is through equipping and supporting our educators that all students will gain access to strong mathematics instruction.
%20(17).png)
Math as a Door Opener
All means all. Not “some” or “most,” but every single person deserves to have a humanizing learning math experience that affirms themselves as the capable, competent math thinkers that they are. As educators, we must consider all aspects of a person when planning high-quality learning experiences in order to increase access for all. The current status of our national education system has highlighted the disparities in the traditional delivery of, and access to, quality math instruction that effectively exclude certain students from college and career opportunities.
.png)
What does an intervention cycle look like?
All educators can frame the process of their work with students as a cycle. All Learners Network (ALN) particularly recommends this specific framing to special educators and interventionists, or any teacher working with students in small groups. Using a cycle of instruction provides both educators and students a structured process for reflecting on growth and moving forward in math understanding. It actually functions as a rapid cycle of inquiry, where we are seeking information about our students’ thinking, planning responsive instruction, and monitoring growth in a continuous cycle. The inte …
.png)
What Do I Do With a Small Group?
Whether you are a classroom teacher, an interventionist, special educator, English as a second language teacher or other educator you might be wondering what do I do for small group math instruction? We know all kids do not learn math at the same time and in the same ways and we know all kids need access to high quality grade level instruction. That is why our All Learners Lesson Structure includes opportunities for both inclusion and differentiation. What happens when we get to that differentiation part? All students may be engaged with purposeful offerings through Math Menu and one or more e …
.png)
Why Concrete Tools Matter in ALL Math Classrooms
Concrete tools (manipulatives) support access, equity, universal design and differentiation in every math classroom. Manipulatives support mathematical connections and deep understanding. So why are they missing in so many math classrooms, especially in the older grades? The use of math manipulatives provides hands-on access to all students where quantity is observable and abstract concepts contextualized, creating a more inclusive math classroom.
.png)
The Background on the Newly Revised HLC Progressions
All Learners Network (ALN) originally created the High Leverage Concepts (HLCs) Progressions as a resource for classroom teachers, math interventionists, and special educators who create learning opportunities for their students daily. We wanted to build grade level progressions directly connected to the concepts highlighted in our High Leverage Concepts (HLCs) that would provide “road maps” for instructional decisions based on student evidence.
.png)
Discourse in the Mathematics Classroom
What is discourse and why does it matter? Discourse is the communication of ideas where there is interaction between students' own thoughts and ideas and the consideration and examination of the ideas of others’ to make meaning and grow collective knowledge. With a significant shift in the role of the math educator from the holder and giver of knowledge to one who facilitates and presents meaningful and engaging tasks, math educators must develop skills and strategies that promote student discourse to position them as meaning makers. The educator role in discourse can be considered in three pa …
What is Specialized Math Instruction?
Specialized Math Instruction (SMI) focuses on improving instructional techniques–or pedagogy– of all educators for teaching mathematics for all students.
-1.png)
Purposeful Change: The ALN Rapid Cycle of Inquiry
A group of math coaches and I gathered for a local PLC meeting. We had been looking at student work and discussing some of the problems of practice facing the teachers in our buildings. In any gathering of educators, it’s pretty easy to articulate difficulties. Parents don’t support good math instruction. The administration doesn’t understand our goals and methods. Teachers won’t try new approaches. And the children face ever steeper learning curves. Anyone who’s ever engaged with educators knows that there are many challenges that all of us face daily. But I wanted us to focus our efforts on …
Inclusion and MTSS
I spend a lot of time in schools in many different grade levels and while there are more differences than similarities in the goings on of a 1st grade classroom and a 10th grade one, a major similarity is the question of inclusion. How does one classroom teacher meet the needs of all their students when the needs can be quite disparate?
