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Algebra 1 – Anyone else attempting this?
I would like to re-write my Algebra 1 curriculum this summer as a spiraled curriculum. I changed my approach this year, but not the curriculum and still definitely think in units. Even though I have taught Algebra 1 (or Pre-Alg, depending) for about 20 years, I have always followed the textbook or a combination of textbooks (supplementing like crazy with other resources). I am not a trained math teacher; I’m an English and American studies major–no ed degrees, no math degrees. So all of that makes me worry that I won’t know what “strands” to pull out. I feel silly even typing it–I feel certain my experience gives me all that I need–but whenever I watch a math webinar, the jargon makes me feel as if I don’t really know what I am doing. I’m a great teacher; I’m not a trained mathematician. So if any mentor out there wants to guide me a bit in this new endeavor, I’d love some help. (I do plan to buddy up with my colleague who teaches Pre-Alg at my school, as well.)
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5 Replies
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Hi @Katrienvance!
You should team up with @michaelrubin and @robindubiel as they are both diving right into spiralling as well.
I think you folks have a nice group to build on!
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Katrien- We may be kindred spirits! I teach Math 1 in North Carolina, which is pretty much like Algebra 1. I also like to think I’m a pretty good teacher, though it was never my plan to teach high school math! I’d love to participate in spiraling Math 1/ Algebra 1 curriculum.
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Thanks, @AndieSnyder! I’m working with a colleague to turn our 7th-8th math groups into a series of investigations-units-projects-activities that will allow us to “cover” all of the math concepts we want to cover, but in active, interesting ways. We’re pretty excited, and I hope the enthusiasm is contagious!
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@katrienvance
I am trying to do the same with my 6, 7, 8 grade math classes. It would be nice to bounce ideas off you.
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I don’t have experience with spiraling, but I have been spending the past 5 years teaching and relearning math from 6th grade to calculus through tutoring, which I believe is helping my own conceptual understanding of related concepts for my own Algebra 1 students. I am super interested in teaming up with people, sharing resources, and coplanning as I enter another year teaching Algebra 1! Perhaps my math comfort and your teaching experience can create one super-spiraling entity!
