Layered Curriculum
What is it?
A "Layered Curriculum" is a sort of learning pyramid you work your ways up. The pyramid is broken into three layers: Foundation, Application, and Design. See below for a detailed explanation of each layer.
Why the Layered Curriculum Approach?
We all learn in different ways. Some of us really like lectures and learn from them. Others of us want to just read through the material by ourselves and learn by doing the concept. This class structure will allow you to learn the way that works best for you. If you are unsure how you learn the best, this gives you a chance to see what works for you, and what does not. This approach also allows me, as the teacher, to have time to help you one-on-one with things you are struggling with (whether it is new material or even remembering previous material). I want you to gain knowledge and learn something new in each unit rather than just coming to class, doing work, and giving me answers. This puts the power of learning in your hands, and I am here to help you along the way!
Foundation Layer
This layer is where we focus on the foundational elements of the material. You have to have a good understanding of the content before you can do activities and projects. In this layer we will focus on the basic skills that you will need when you apply the new techniques and ideas you have learned to bigger problems.
This work is not "graded" in the traditional sense. Instead of doing a worksheet or a specific number of problems for a grade, the problems will be for practice and preparation for a verbal "quiz". We will meet one-on-one and I will ask what you to explain a particular skill. This is called "oral defense." In most cases, I will have you do a problem similar to ones you have worked on, explaining the steps you are taking to me as you find the answer. When you have successfully defended your learning I will sign your sheet. If you cannot defend your work, I will give you some feedback about where I see you have some trouble. You will then be asked to study some more and encouraged to work on some more problems before you meet with me for another oral defense. Due to the size of some of the classes, time for defending may be limited, so try not to get too far behind.
To ease stress during this time, worked out solutions and/or answer keys will be available for you to REFERENCE. Often times in math we get so focused on getting the right "answer" that we forget about the process or skill we use to solve a problem. I want to provide as much feedback as possible but with large classes, time is limited with each student. With worked out solutions available, you will have the opportunity to check over your work, analyze the differences, and fix your mistakes. This can be a valuable tool if used correctly and NOT just to copy the answers. Remember the answer is not the most important thing, understanding the process or skill is more important.
This work is not "graded" in the traditional sense. Instead of doing a worksheet or a specific number of problems for a grade, the problems will be for practice and preparation for a verbal "quiz". We will meet one-on-one and I will ask what you to explain a particular skill. This is called "oral defense." In most cases, I will have you do a problem similar to ones you have worked on, explaining the steps you are taking to me as you find the answer. When you have successfully defended your learning I will sign your sheet. If you cannot defend your work, I will give you some feedback about where I see you have some trouble. You will then be asked to study some more and encouraged to work on some more problems before you meet with me for another oral defense. Due to the size of some of the classes, time for defending may be limited, so try not to get too far behind.
To ease stress during this time, worked out solutions and/or answer keys will be available for you to REFERENCE. Often times in math we get so focused on getting the right "answer" that we forget about the process or skill we use to solve a problem. I want to provide as much feedback as possible but with large classes, time is limited with each student. With worked out solutions available, you will have the opportunity to check over your work, analyze the differences, and fix your mistakes. This can be a valuable tool if used correctly and NOT just to copy the answers. Remember the answer is not the most important thing, understanding the process or skill is more important.
Quizzes
To prove that you know the content we will have a quiz when you have finished the Foundation Layer. You will need to pass this quiz with an 80% or above to continue onto the Application Layer. If you don't get an 80% on the quiz you will need to do a few additional problems related to the skill you missed and then retake the quiz. The reason for the quiz, and having to retake, it is that you need to show mastery of the content before you can go on and apply the material. It also gives you some test taking practice for the end of the unit exam. For larger units, I may have multiple smaller quizzes instead of one large quiz. You will need to pass each of these smaller quizzes with an 80% to continue on to the Application Layer.
Application Layer
The activity/applying layer! This is where you get to see how this knowledge relates to the real world, and complete different activities that use the knowledge you gained in the Foundation Layer. These activities/assignments cannot be started until you have successfully completed the Foundation Layer. This is also a great place to start thinking about a Design Layer project. You may want to further explore something you are learning in this Application Layer. If that is the case, we can easily take an Application Layer item and work it into a Design Layer project. All activities in this layer must also be successfully defended to earn credit.
Design Layer
To show that you have completely mastered the content, you must complete one project/activity for each unit. These activities allow you to apply the knowledge to an even greater level than you did in Application Layer. These must be original works. I do not want you to just copy ideas from the book or Internet. I want to see you come up with something that is original and shows what you have learned from the unit. This is your chance to become an expert about something related to this chapter in Math. Your work needs to be of the highest quality. I need to see knowledge, effort, and that you spent time working on this. These projects will be graded on a rubric that you will help design. I expect great things from each of you!
Unit Exam
After each unit, about every three weeks, there will be an assessment. The assessment will be recorded as a percentage. You will know when each one will be when we start the unit. They will be easy after you have completed all of this work! We will have a review session prior to the assessment. I will also return old quizzes and work to you so you have many study aides. I know that many of do not like tests, or "freak out" about them. Have no fear! I am here to help you.
Additional Items
Occasionally during our studies, I will need to call for a “time out”. This may be so I can teach/re-teach a concept, or if there is an activity that I want everyone to do as a group. Sometimes there is a need for whole group instruction, guest speakers, and other activities. Another instance for time outs will be when I am absent. I try not to miss a lot of school, but occasionally it happens. On these days, the room will be restored back to its original position and a seating chart will be in place. Please be very respectful of visitors in our room.
I look forward to beginning this adventure with all of you. I know we will discover great things throughout the year. Remember, learning is slow and clumsy (thank you cerebral cortex!). Together we will discover awesome things about math and how we individually learn! You will get 3 grades each unit. (A unit grade, a quiz grade, and a test grade) Each unit will last 2-3 weeks. There may only be 8-12 grades in a quarter so each score is important.
I look forward to beginning this adventure with all of you. I know we will discover great things throughout the year. Remember, learning is slow and clumsy (thank you cerebral cortex!). Together we will discover awesome things about math and how we individually learn! You will get 3 grades each unit. (A unit grade, a quiz grade, and a test grade) Each unit will last 2-3 weeks. There may only be 8-12 grades in a quarter so each score is important.
Summary
Foundation Layer:
- Assignments are practice not graded
- Defend each skill in the unit to me
- Must pass quiz(es) with an 80% to move on from Foundation Layer to Application Layer
- Shows mastery of Foundational content and is practice for end of unit exam
- Apply the knowledge you gained in the Foundation Layer to a larger problem
- Complete one or more activities
- Create an original project to show the skills you have learned in the unit
- Graded on a rubric that you will help design
- Recorded as a percentage
- You will know when it will be at the beginning of each Unit
- We will have a review session before each exam
- Will occasionally need a time out of normal routine (for reteaching, if there is a substitute teacher, etc.)
- Each unit will last about 2-3 weeks
- There will be 3 grades for each unit (a unit grade, a quiz grade, and a test grade)
- Each unit will normally last 2-3 weeks
- Each score is important (there may be only 8-12 grades per quarter)
- I am here to help you along the way!