From Deseret News archives:

School defies math odds

Dixon students ace tests despite demographic stats

Published: Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2007 12:00 a.m. MST
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Sherri Pack refuses to allow her students to "skip" steps in algebraic problems. She also requires students to identify each step by proper name, such as the "subtraction property of equality" or the "identity property of addition." It'll help them as the math gets harder, she says.

"Math is communication," she said. "A lot of people know the answer (before properly finishing a problem). I make them tell why."

Math classes are rotated among teachers each year: This year's geometry teacher could be teaching algebra next year.

That means the math teachers must be solid in algebra and geometry.

The math teachers must constantly work with each other, poring over the state curriculum, figuring out where in textbooks students will learn the concepts, and improvising when necessary.

During professional development days, the teachers compare tests to learn "if your class did a lot better on that question, how did you teach that," Darling said.


E-mail: lhancock@desnews.com

Recent comments

Sounds like excellent teaching, HIGH EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS AND...

Bill | Jan. 11, 2008 at 2:13 p.m.

has your district done curriculum mapping?

sjh | Jan. 6, 2008 at 5:58 p.m.

Great success with kids who NEED to do well in order to be ready for...

Eric | Jan. 2, 2008 at 10:48 a.m.

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