Our math vision through the lens of the HTH design principles: Equity, Collaborative Design, Personalization, & Authentic Work
Equity in practice at High Tech High
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All voices are heard and valued
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The classroom structures are set up so that students see value in each other’s thinking
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Problems are discussion worthy and the focus is on understanding and making sense of the mathematical concepts (not just the right answer)
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We recognize that being mathematically “smart” means:
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Asking questions
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Making connections and identifying patterns
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Predicting and making conjectures
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Representing ideas visually
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Experimenting with new approaches
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Collaborating to help ourselves and others develop ideas
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Being a skeptic
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Collaborative Design in practice at High Tech High
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Use instruction to build a classroom based on collaborative learning as opposed to competition, where students see and value each other as resources
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Students co-construct mathematical knowledge together
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Teachers collaborate with colleagues and students to plan lessons and anticipate student thinking
Personalization in practice at High Tech High
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Student ideas and problem solving strategies are the foundation for daily mathematical discussion
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Students reflect on their learning regularly and set goals for themselves
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Teachers confer with students to build relationships and support students in their goal setting
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Feedback focuses on strengths and areas for growth
Authentic Work in practice at High Tech High
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Students do the work of mathematicians:
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They problem solve
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Justify their reasoning to others
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Communicate their ideas
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Listen to and skepticize each other’s mathematical ideas
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Compare different ways to solve a problem
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Discuss big mathematical concepts
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Reason quantitatively and abstractly
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Apply mathematical reasoning to problems and patterns in the world around them
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Publicly present their thinking
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