Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM) curriculum alignment : emphasis on formative assessment and metacognitive strategies

Abstract

The Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM) were published in 2010 by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and the Council of Chief State School Officers. The 2014-2015 school year was CCSSM implementation year for the state of Wisconsin. As such, the responsibility of modifying current mathematics curriculums to more accurately align to the CCSSM went to the classroom teacher. The restructuring of the curriculum to align to the CCSSM was investigated in a 7th grade Academically Talented classroom, which would utilize and be assessed by 8th grade CCSSM standards. The class had previously used a curriculum aligned to the Wisconsin State Standards. Presented are the results of reorganizing and assessing a CCSSM-aligned curriculum through the use of pre- and post-instruction unit assessments, formative assessments and metacognitive thinking strategies.