Numeracy Plan

      Division Priority Two: NLPS Will Improve Numeracy in Students

      Our Priority

      Northern Lights Public Schools is committed to building a culture of numeracy, empowering learners, teachers and leaders to collectively shift their practice, giving meaning to mathematics as they improve numeracy skills and understanding of all students.  This priority was established by the board after extensive consultations with students, parents and staff.

      Our Definition

      Alberta Education defines numeracy as the ability, confidence and willingness to engage with quantitative and spatial information to make informed decisions in all aspects of daily living.

      Our Evidence of Improvement

      Northern Lights students will complete an annual numeracy benchmark assessment, in addition to the regular classroom assessments that occur. Results will be reviewed by schools each year. Additionally, Provincial Achievement Tests and Provincial Diploma Exams will be used to monitor student progress. 

      Our Actions

      For All
      Universal Supports -
      Whole School

      Building Knowledge and Capacity

      For Some
      Targeted Support - Classroom Math
      Instruction and Practice

      Teaching, Learning and Assessment

      For Few
      Individualized/Specialized Supports and Interventions

      Interventions
      Improve and build a culture of numeracy in schools Teachers engage in co-learning with our Learning Consultants (Numeracy series and Tools for Teachers series) Support staff in the utilization of specialized population resources
      Numeracy across content areas - empower all teachers to assume responsibility for enhancing numeracy understanding Design and provide mathematics learning opportunities focusing on curriculum expectations Support educators with identifying timely and appropriate interventions for students needing additional support and gifted and talented students.
      Increase student confidence related to numeracy Use a variety of learning experiences to support problem solving Create supports for educators in building safe, responsive and inclusive mathematics learning environments to reduce math anxiety
      Support administrators as supervisors and leaders in numeracy Develop increased understanding around the use of manipulatives and resources to enhance and support student learning  
      Identify, learn about and implement research-based instructional and assessment strategies Improve understanding of staff in relation to differentiating and personalizing learning experiences based on student needs  
      Explore and integrate the innovative use of merging technologies and resources to enhance and transform teaching practice and student learning experience Support the analysis of student learning to develop lessons that address student interests as well as strengths and needs  
      Nurture a collaborative relationship with families to support effective learning environments Parent/family/guardian resources - provide opportunities for families to engage in mathematics together to develop a growth mindset and positive disposition towards learning  
      Work with learners to be self-reflective and advocate for their learning Include information and supports regarding mathematics in communications to parents/guardians  

      Our School Plans

      As part of their improvement plans, each school in Northern Lights is implementing universal, targeted and individualized strategies to enhance support for students. These strategies align with divisional actions and are designed to meet the unique demographics and needs of each school. 

      Our Resources

      Instructional Coaches, Student Support Team Leaders, Administrators, Teaching Staff, Educational Assistants, Director of Teaching and Learning

      Our Results

      Provincial Achievement Tests (Total Enrolled)

      Grade/Standard 2018-2019 Results 2019-2020 Results 2020-2021 Targets
      Grade 6 Acceptable Standard 66.4% n/a n/a
      Grade 6 Excellence Standard 9% n/a n/a
      Grade 9 Acceptable Standard 49.3% n/a n/a
      Grade 9 Excellence Standard 12.2% n/a n/a

      Provincial Diploma Exams

      Grade/Standard 2018-2019 Results 2019-2020 Targets
      Math 30-1 Acceptable Standard 66.3% 68%
      Math 30-1 Excellence Standard 20% 22%
      Math 30-2 Acceptable Standard 76.7% 78%
      Math 30-2 Excellence Standard 14% 16%

      NLPS Math Assessment (Total Writing)

      Grade Group

      		 Yearly Results May 2021 Targets
      Grades 1 to 9 n/a Establish Baseline Data

      Examples of School-Based Actions

      Universal (Whole School)

      • work with the Learning Consultants to provide support and PD for all teachers - ensure elbow to elbow opportunities
      • schedule one teacher meeting per month (PD Tuesday) to focus on numeracy across the curriculum - focus PLC groups on whole school numeracy
      • use literacy that supports learning numeracy in classrooms
      • develop common understanding/definition of numeracy - all staff across the curriculum areas participate
      • organize parent numeracy night/family numeracy night or math carnival - increase communication about numeracy through the school website, Facebook, Twitter, and newsletters - share Alberta Math Curriculum resources with parents/guardians
      • utilize the Accelerated Math Program
      • ensure teachers are aware of the curriculum and specifically the scaffolding required for each level of outcomes to be obtained by the students - build understanding of the Front Matter of the math curriculum
      • ensure all teachers speak positively about numeracy/math
      • include daily focus on numeracy on classroom schedules
      • create numeracy-focused makerspaces in the learning commons
      • utilize collaboration days with other schools to collaborate on numeracy planning and instruction
      • increase use of Messy Maths learning in each grade
      • send home monthly math portfolios for student in all grades
      • use generative dialogue to discuss with teachers about the instructional changes they have made in their classroom practice

      Targeted (Classroom Math Instruction and Practice)

      • utilize PLC's to unpack the Alberta math curriculum
      • analyze PAT results - focus on how students responded on specific questions and how to improve
      • organize and inventory math manipulatives, and enhance the use of manipulatives in math instruction
      • use and analyze the results of Grade 7 and 8 math common assessments
      • provide outcomes-based differentiated small group instruction
      • schedule math enrichment options for students
      • create more hands-on and real-life math connections
      • review all math strands throughout the year - create class or group problem solving opportunities that incorporate all math curriculum strands
      • use the Daily 3 math framework to teach math outcomes
      • focus on math vocabulary and related word walls
      • increase the amount of time spent on math instruction each week
      • provide direct instruction in areas such as budgeting, financial management, measurement, conversion, interpreting visual data and hours of work and pay
      • organize presenters to teach skills about numeracy, taxes, phone contracts, rent, credit cards, banks - bring in trades people and business people to stress the importance of numeracy understanding and skills
      • track students as they complete math assessments
      • use the CUBES strategy with word problems
      • provide opportunity for math teachers to collaborate and plan together
      • work with teachers to ensure that all are using the same terminology for math instruction
      • have staff answer the question "In what specific areas do the students need more knowledge and skills? How do we know? How do we help them with this?"
      • foster relationships at the teacher level with feeder schools in order to have specific discussions about math instruction and student progress
      • review formative assessment practices in grades 9-12
      • develop teacher driven processes for collecting, analyzing, and applying data from the classroom to drive instruction and assessment
      • develop differentiation goals/focus with each staff member
      • use Google Classroom to post math instruction videos or other supporting resources
      • work collaboratively with staff to identify and use high yield instructional strategies at the universal and targeted level
      • build a better understanding of mental math strategies and how and when to use them
      • arrange for peer observations and coaching for staff so they can learn from and build off the strengths of others
      • increase time allocated for guided practice of pen and paper calculations and develop strategies for estimation into curricular math courses

      Individualized (Specialized Supports and Interventions)

      • provide K&E programming for identified students
      • build an understanding of the scope and sequence of math remediation plans
      • organize a homework room staffed with different math teachers to supervise and assist students
      • ensure teachers are aware of Maslow's hierarchy of needs and watch for students who need additional learning supports
      • conduct CRM meetings to support math instruction
      • arrange for lunchtime/ after school/ early morning tutorial opportunities
      • offer one-to-one and small group burst lessons based on regular ongoing assessments