I Need
From July 9 Feedback
7-13-2015
A Message from Karen
7-10-2015
Hi, Everyone!
Every other day, I will address the Needs you have
and give you what we hope are good, possible solutions.
We know we may not meet every need but we will
definitely try!
We all appreciate your feedback!
We all truly thank you for your patience!
We all are grateful for the kind manner in which you
give your feedback!
The Most Frequent Request
I Need…
...a review of the pretest to
connect new knowledge to
what I got wrong the first time,
and why I got it wrong. (6)
Possible Solutions…
Natalie would be glad to show
you the pre-test!
We don’t want to teach to the
test, BUT, we have a breakdown
of the results by question. We
have planned a week of
addressing those areas of need.
The Second Most Requested Idea
I Need…
more modelling of new
strategies and games to support
the concepts. (3)
Possible Solutions…
We will be modeling the
strategies. It is my
understanding that last year’s
books are being ordered for
you. One of them is a book of
games.
Also, the “About Teaching
Mathematics” books is full of
games and strategies.
The Second Most Requested Idea
I Need…
Extra instruction for mastery on
fractions and ratios. Suggested
workbook that can give extra
instruction and practice. (3)
Possible Solutions
We have some practice for the
week of July 13.
I think Googling the specific
topic for problems at your
grade level may be the easiest
thing to do. This way you can
have a wide variety of topics at
no cost and you can put a few
under the new Document
Camera for the darlings to do!

I Need…
Maybe different strategies written
by peers uploaded on resources to
help me remember steps (1)
different strategies (1)
Possible Solutions…
We will ask your peers!
We will be showing different
strategies as we work. Also, Math
Solutions is providing lots of good
strategies.
I Need…
Possible Solutions…
Yes, teachers are to meet the needs
To have something else to do if I
of all of our darlings. We have
know the content; isn't that
visited with the people who scored
an A on the pre-test and one person
what we are supposed to do
has accepted our offer to work on
with our kids and the purpose
other items. I am working on this
of the pretest? (1)
material and will have it available on
Monday.
Another thought: It is very hard to
separate content and pedagogy
(teaching strategies, ideas from
peers, etc.). So while we may excel
at the content, our hope is
we can also learn from each other.
• Bottom line, we do try to please! 
I Need…
To not sit all morning. Is there
another space available for
whole group? The library is
cramped.
Possible Solutions
Yes, the room is cramped and thank
goodness we all wear great
deodorant!
Sorry, but Mia says this is the only
space in the building that has
Internet access in the summer. We
thought we were going to use the
Commons, but the Internet does not
work there.
Actually, we had built in 2
Transitions that included movement,
but we can’t do them.
I Need…
Several methods of solving
same problem
Possible Solutions…
Yes! We try hard to always
share final solutions to
problems when they have been
worked differently. It is also
why we ask you to work in
pairs, as a table or to talk to
other tables. You are welcome
to take a picture of all the work
on the boards!
**I always learn something new
each day when I see the
different ways folks solve
problems. Soooo cool!
I Need…
More examples of problem
solving. (1)
Possible Solutions…
We will show some more the
week of July 13.
You can find some this summer
at the website
http://mathsolutions.com/
books-resources/classroomlessons
• “About Teaching
Mathematics” is full of
problem solving!
I Need
I would like a suggested
timeline/pacing guide of the
standards (2)
Possible Solutions
It is our understanding that
one exists in the SLPS district
and that was, but is no longer,
aligned to the Common Core.
We will ask Mia how this is
addressed in SLPS as I think she
is our best resource for this.
I Need…
The books from last year.
Possible Solutions…
It is my understanding you will
receive them!
Perhaps a “veteran” from last
year will share their copy with
you if you would like to do
some work before they become
available.
I Need
Number Talks with fractions
Possible Solutions…
Great Idea!
We will ask the Math Solutions
folks to guide us on this topic.
I Need…
Time to reflect on everything I
have learned.
Possible Solutions…
There just is not enough time in
the day, is there?
I hope you will have some time
before school to mull over what
we have done and how you will
use it next year.
Hopefully, you will have a
buddy in your building to talk to
about the work!
I Need…
For some of us to stop the
outside conversation when
others are speaking their
thoughts and presenters are
teaching.
Possible Solutions…
Aww, this is so nice! Thank You.
And, no, Min, Angelene and I
did not “plant” this need.  
I Need…
Continued participation by
everyone and continued great
teaching we are receiving.
Possible Solutions…
We have been thrilled from Day
1 with the great participation
and interaction you all have
given us!
Min, Angelene, and I will do our
best! All three of us are “night
owls” and we have all pledged
to go to bed earlier so we will
all be full of vim, vigor, and
vitality!