Over the last few years, our students have demonstrated a need for additional support in math based on CAASPP scores. During our ELAC meetings, parents have requested additional support in math, similar to the support provided for reading intervention. Although this is a small step, it begins to address these needs. The objective of the Math Magnets Lending Library is to provide teachers with additional visual aids to support concepts introduced in the Everyday Math curriculum. Since the curriculum is designed to "spiral" back through various concepts, teachers from all grade levels would be able to check out materials as needed and maintain regular circulation, without them gathering dust in a cupboard.
This Lending Library would be available for all teachers and support staff for checkout, making the materials available for all students. Providing additional visual aids for abstract concepts such as place value and fractions benefits all students, but will especially benefit our EL students and students with learning disabilities. Clear labels of mathematical symbols and shapes will also support these students' academic vocabulary development.
Success of the Math Magnets Lending Library would be defined as constant and regular use by teachers in the classroom; teachers using the materials to provide math intervention, and students referring to them during independent math work to support or solve problems with which they otherwise would have struggled. The magnetic materials can be placed on the metal utility closets housed in each classroom, so they are accessible to teachers and students without cluttering walls or whiteboard space when not being used for direct instruction.
Order materials as soon as possible after grant is received.
Inventory/check out system set up as soon as possible after materials are ordered.
Teachers and support staff are able to check out items as soon as materials are received.
Yes! Materials will be available for all teachers and support staff for check out.
Little to no alternative funds available.
Tahoe Lake has a well-established Lending Library culture with our guided reading books and literacy games (courtesy of an EEF grant written by Heather Hardy), so teachers are familiar with the process. This grant provides an alternative way to look at the big metal utility closet in each newly remodeled classroom as an additional learning space which can help serve our students who need it most.