Here is what’s happening in Ms.Arnott’s 3rd grade classroom:

“Miss Arnott’s class had an outstanding first marking period! We met and exceeded several of the goals we had set for our class at the beginning of the school year. First, we used our test taking strategies that we practiced and put them to great use during our first MEAP testing experience.  We are very anxious to see our test results. We also learned the importance of always trying our best even in tough situations. Another goal we met was earning team of the week.  This was a goal that we strived to meet everyday.  We made it a daily learning experience and we continuously discussed ways to help us earn it.  In one day, we had a pancake party, a pizza party, and a harvest celebration.  This was a goal we were very ecstatic about meeting. As a teacher, I am very proud of my students and all of the hard work they have put in each and everyday.  They have become very polite, respectful, and positive third graders.  I can’t wait to see what the second marking period has to bring.  My class and I would like to congratulate A.B.W. and Q.B. for earning all A’s the first marking period! Way to go!”

Our first month of school is almost finished, and we have had an awesome start! It has been a pleasure to welcome new teachers, students, and parents to Grand Blanc Academy.  We have added several new staff members to our school community this year:

Mary Davis—4th Grade

Tiffany Martin—6^th Grade

Michelle Finton—7/8^th Grades- Paragon (Social Studies)

Janie Roy–4/5^th Grades- Resource

Jennifer Roskey–6^th Grades-Resource

Julie Van Norman—K-8 Art

Each classroom has creatively selected a team name, and banners are displayed above the doors.  This practice visibly demonstrates the power of teamwork as we build interdependency to accomplish our goals.  In addition, we extend an open invitation to parents to join our team.  We value and appreciate your supportive contributions to your child’s education.

Norma Jean Colyer

Curriculum Implementation Specialist

Referencing the Final Report of the U.S. Department of Education’s National Mathematics Advisory Panel (2008), summit attendees reviewed various math programs’ strengths and weaknesses and explored successful methods used in the United States and by countries that performed well on TIMMS, with the goal of adopting best practices from around the globe, raising math interest, and making math an integral part of school culture. Michael J. Connelly, Mosaica’s Chief Executive Officer, announced the rationale at the beginning of the summit: “Literacy and numeracy are the twin tools for international success on the global stage of the 21st century. Our schools are committed to high levels of student achievement and the development of life-long learners who are comfortable participating on that stage. Following our Literacy Summit, which launched our highly successful Literacy Initiative two years ago, this Math Summit is the both the culmination of years of research and planning and the beginning of the implementation phase.”

As a result of the decisions taken at the summit, Mosaica Education will implement a system-wide Math Initiative beginning in the fall of 2009. This initiative focuses on placing Math Coaches in every school, increasing the number of high-quality math teachers at every grade, exploring ways to offer alternative certifications to math teachers coming from science and industry, and bringing math specialists to upper elementary grades. The initiative will also adjust the daily schedule to allow for 90 minutes of uninterrupted math in all grades; provide additional professional development for teachers to cultivate confident implementation of the new program; develop math clubs and competitions in all schools; and – perhaps most importantly – ensure that learning math will be FUN!

Dr. Dawn Eidelman, Mosaica’s Co-Founder and President of its Paragon Division commented, “The beauty of our new initiative is that it will augment project-based learning by linking mathematics more integrally to the history of great ideas and great people in world culture through our Paragon curriculum. To innovate purposefully and to design the future, we must build upon the lessons from our past.”