Back to: [Math]odology Leadership Onboarding Introductory Sample
Welcome to Module 1! If you are here, you are in the initial stages of adopting a new math curricular resource. We are glad you are considering think!Mathematics and/or Developing Roots as an option. We want to support you in the adoption process from the very start, so this first lesson, Laying the Foundation: Initial Steps in Curriculum Adoption, is intended to guide you through the initial stages of adoption by establishing a shared vision with your school leadership team, or Collaborative Action Team, for math teaching and learning.
What is the Purpose of a Collaborative Action Team?
A Collaborative Action Team aims to build strong partnerships among families, schools, communities, and students. By working together at the local level, these teams can identify key challenges facing their school communities, such as a new curriculum roll out, and take meaningful steps to address them, all with the goal of supporting student achievement.
Collaborative Action Team Process:
Stage 1: Lay the Foundation
Begin by introducing the approach, gathering input from the broader school community, and outlining the initial steps.
Stage 2: Assemble the Team
Form a representative team, set clear communication guidelines, foster a shared understanding, encourage consensus-driven decision making, and identify opportunities for shared leadership.
Stage 3: Defining the Path
Build agreement on a shared vision, pinpoint and prioritize critical issues, craft a mission statement, set concrete team goals, and communicate your objectives effectively.
Stage 4: Moving to Action
Design actionable strategies, assign specific tasks, develop evaluation methods, track progress, and look for ways to broaden your impact.
Stage 5: Reflecting and Improving
Regularly review team performance, celebrate achievements, and seek opportunities for greater effectiveness and broader impact.
What is a Shared Vision?
Once you have created your Collaborative Action Team, the next step is to work together to create a shared vision of math teaching and learning. Take a look at this video to learn more about this process.
Examples of Shared Vision Statements
As you read through the examples in the table below, think about your school and how it relates to these statements. What do you think are some key themes that aligns with each statement? Below the table you will be able to reveal the themes after you have time to consider them on your own. Also, consider what your focus is when it comes to effective math teaching and learning. Later, you will have the opportunity to craft your own shared vision statement with your Collaborative Action Team.
| # | Shared Vision Statement | Key Themes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Our students will see themselves as capable mathematicians who approach problems with curiosity, persistence, and creativity. Through hands-on exploration, meaningful discussion, and connections to real life, every child will develop the confidence and skills to tackle challenging math with joy and success. | |
| 2 | We believe that all children, regardless of background or learning style, deserve access to rich and rigorous mathematical experiences. In our classrooms, we create a safe environment where students’ ideas are valued, mistakes are celebrated as learning opportunities, and multiple strategies are encouraged to deepen understanding. | |
| 3 | Mathematics learning will go beyond memorization to build deep conceptual understanding. Our students will be able to explain their thinking, justify their solutions, and make connections across mathematical ideas, preparing them for a lifetime of problem solving and logical reasoning. | |
| 4 | Our classrooms will be communities of mathematical thinkers who learn through talking, listening, and reasoning together. Students will engage in rich discussions, respectfully challenge ideas, and use precise mathematical language to communicate their understanding. | |
| 5 | We will foster a culture where every student believes they can grow as a mathematician. We will emphasize effort, strategy, and perseverance over speed, so students see challenges as opportunities and develop resilience in problem solving. |
Click here to reveal the key themes for each vision statement.