Mrs. Claeson's Classroom
2018 ~ 2019 

C hicago 
V irtual 
C harter 
S chool
  • need to know from Mrs. C!
    • about Mrs. C
    • Learning Center Schedule
  • students
    • news/announcements
    • ASP this week >
      • ClassConnects
      • Monday 9:30
      • Monday 10:35
      • Monday 12:30
      • Monday 1:35
      • Thursday 9:30
      • Thursday 10:35
      • Thursday 12:30
      • Thursday 1:35
    • Math "Cheat Sheets" >
      • The Four Operations and Negative Numbers
    • classroom resources >
      • Link to OLD Online Textbook
      • Multiplication Tables
      • math support >
        • September
        • October
        • November
        • December
        • January
        • February
        • March
        • April
        • May
        • June
    • math >
      • math support >
        • internet resources >
          • all four operations
          • decimals
          • expressions & equations
          • long division
          • percent
          • place value
          • ratios
      • Common Core by Topic
      • Online Resources for Math Instruction
      • Geometry
      • Statistics & Probability
      • Measurement & Data
      • Fractions - Multiplication & Division
      • Multiplication Charts
  • parents-click here!
    • Around the Web
    • FAQs About Charter Schools
    • How can I help my student with writing a math extended-response?
    • common core >
      • CLICK HERE for the Common Core State Standards (CCSS)
      • For Parents & Learning Coaches >
        • Section 1: Exploring Common Core's Roots >
          • Understanding the Rationale >
            • Recognizing the Standards
            • Recognizing the Goals
            • Higher Standards or Not?
          • Tracing Common Core's History >
            • Identifying the Barriers
            • Resuming the Conversation
            • Developing the Common Core Standards
            • Meeting the Common Core Architects
          • State Adoptions and Implementation >
            • Recognizing Common Core States
            • Striving to Implement Common Core
        • Section 2: Grasping the Basics of the Common Core State Standards >
          • Getting Your Hands on the Standards
          • Brushing Up on Mathematics Practice and Content Standards >
            • Meeting the Standards for Mathematical Practice >
              • Digging Deeper into the Math Practices
            • Getting Familiar with Content Standards by Domain
          • Exploring the English Language Arts Standards >
            • Improving Reading Comprehension
            • Balancing Fiction and Nonfiction
            • Honing Writing Skills
            • Cultivating Speaking and Listening Skills
            • Fine-tuning grammar, usage, mechanics, and vocabulary
            • Addressing Standard 10
            • The literacy standards
            • Tapping the ELA appendixes >
              • Differentiating standards from curriculum
          • Focusing on Instructional Shifts >
            • Navigating instructional shifts in math
            • Exploring instructional shifts in English language arts and literacy
        • Section 3: Supporting Common Core at Home: Your Role as a Parent >
          • Creating a Setting Conducive to Learning >
            • How to handle homework (or lack thereof)
          • Modeling Lifelong Learning
          • Encouraging and Nurturing a Curious Mind
          • Making Learning Resources Readily Available >
            • Focus on high-interest reading materials
          • Making Education Relevant to the Real World
          • Supporting the School's Efforts
        • Section 4: Teaming Up with Teachers >
          • Communicating Effectively with Teachers and Administrators
          • Monitoring Your Child's Performance and Progress
          • Helping with Homework
          • Volunteering at School
        • Section 5: Doing the Math in Kindergarten through Grade 8 >
          • Looking at K-8 Content Standards
          • Honing Skills in Fractions, Division, and Volume in Grade 5 >
            • Operations and Algebraic Thinking
            • Number and Operations in Base Ten
            • Number and Operations: Fractions
            • Measurement and Data
            • Geometry
          • Exploring Ratios, Rates, Variables, Exponents, and More in Grade 6
        • Section 6: Helping Your Child Achieve English Language Arts Standards in K-5 >
          • Looking at the Anchor Standards
          • Mastering Foundational Reading Skills
          • Reading and Understanding Literature
          • Reading and Deciphering Informational Texts
          • Writing Clearly and Effectively
          • Speaking and Listening Standards
          • English Language Rules and Conventions
        • Section 7: Raising the Bar: English Language Arts Standards in Grades 6-12 >
          • Reading More Sophisticated Literature and Informational Texts
          • Honing Your Child's Writing Skills
          • Mastering the Spoken Word: Speaking and Listening
          • Exploring Higher-Level Rules and Conventions of Language
        • Section 8: Mastering Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects >
          • Improving Reading Comprehension in History/Social Studies
          • Deciphering Texts on Scientific and Technical Topics
          • Writing about History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects
        • Section 9: Ten Tips for Parents >
          • What's My Child Currently Working On?
          • How Well Is My Child Meeting Expectations?
          • May I See Samples of My Child's Work?
          • Is My Child Struggling in Any Subject Areas?
          • In Which Subject Areas Does My Child Excel?
          • What Can I Do to Help My Child Achieve the Standards?
          • If My Child Needs Help with Homework, What Resources Are Available?
          • Does the School Offer Any Opportunities for Academic Enrichment?
          • What Can My Child Be Doing to Develop Good Study Habits?
          • Which Classes Should My Child Be Taking?
        • Section 10: Ten Ways to Help Your Child Achieve Common Core Standards >
          • Know What Your Child Is Working On
          • Monitor Your Child's Performance
          • Have a Daily Homework/Study Routine
          • Provide a Study-Friendly Environment
          • Don't Do Your Child's Schoolwork
          • Praise Your Child's Efforts
          • Provide Interesting Reading Material
          • Encourage Your Child to Take Advantage of Academic Enrichment Opportunities
          • Take Fun, Educational Trips
          • Encourage Stimulating Hobbies
        • Section 11: Resources for the Common Core State Standards
      • Standards for Mathematical Practice (ALL grades)
  • how-to study math
    • Your Tools
    • Class Time
    • Taking Notes
    • Homework
    • Studying for Quizzes and Tests
    • Taking Tests
  • archie
The Standards for Mathematical Practice stress the importance of developing a conceptual understanding of various mathematical principles and being able to apply mathematical knowledge and skills to solve problems. 

In other words, practice standards set the bar for how well students are able to apply their mathematical knowledge and skills to solve problems and understand what they're doing and why. Think of practice standards in terms of a doctor not only being able to pass a test but also being able to use that same knowledge to accurately diagnose medical conditions and effectively treat patients. The practice standards set expectations that students at all levels master the following habits of mind as they apply to the content standards at each student's grade level:

  • Understand mathematical problems and persist in solving them. Students need to have a clear understanding of what they're required to do in math problems and why they're supposed to do it. Acquiring this skill involves students asking questions as they work through problems and continually self-monitoring to make sure they understand why they're taking certain steps.

  • Think about different aspects of a problem as separate and related parts. Sometimes students need to think about what something means apart from the rest of the problem. In math, this means they understand not only the operations needed to solve specific parts of a problem but also how to break down the problem to use different operations to successfully solve the entire problem.

  • Understand a concept well enough to explain and defend an answer. Solving a problem correctly is great, but having the know-how to get the correct answer and then explain and defend how you got it is even better. When students can verbalize their thought process in a way that gives support to the steps they took to solve a problem, question the thought processes of others to decide whether they make sense, and ask useful questions to better understand a problem, then you have a good indication that they truly understand the concept. 

  • Apply understanding of a concept to a real-life situation. We've probably all had the experience of sitting in a math class and wondering when we were ever going to use the information being presented. A major step toward mastery of any concept involves understanding the applications of that concept to real life. Successfully relating math concepts to real-life situations shows that a student can transfer an isolated skill to a broad realm of possibilities. The more a student practices this skill, the more connections he is likely to see for applying it to real-world situations. 

  • Choose the right resources to help solve problems. When working a math problem, students usually have a variety of resources to help them solve the problem, including calculators, graphs, rulers, and scratch paper. The standards also stress the use of concrete models, digital content, and mathematical software. Knowing when and how to pick the right resources to solve a particular math problem is an indication of how well students actually understand the problem they're solving. Efficiently solving problems with the proper tools is a better indication of mastery than trial and error. 

  • Pay attention to the details. The world of mathematics rewards specificity. The better students become at using math-specific vocabulary and calculating efficiently and accurately to the degree of precision required by the situation, the sooner they gain proficiency and fluidity when solving problems. Math requires students to keep track of the details in order to be successful problem solvers. 

  • Find and use patterns in problems. As students get more comfortable with certain math concepts, they begin to pick up on patterns and structures that enable them to break apart problems with greater ease. Many younger children do this naturally when they sort and order manipulative objects such as blocks, but this habit of mind can require some practice as students move into more complex math. This skill comes with lots of practice. Isolating a certain part of the problem to make better sense of the whole is an effective skill in math. Being able to do it repeatedly in various contexts indicates that a student can see patterns and successfully use them to his or her advantage. 

  • Look for and use repeated reasoning. Understanding that some steps or procedures are repetitive saves students a considerable amount of time. When students grasp this skill, they're able to circumvent repetitive processes and quickly move on to solve the problem. However, arriving at a place of familiarity that allows students to recognize processes that repeat takes practice and an eye for detail. 

With any mathematical concept the standards introduce, any number of math practice standards come into play along with the content standards. Keep in mind that the Standards for Mathematical Practice are used on a case-by-case basis depending on which math content standards your student is learning and the specific problem your student is trying to solve. 

Next: Digging deeper into the math practices

Contact me for help or just to check-in!

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Preferred Method of Communication:


1st: Email: mclaeson@cvcschool.org

2nd: Text @ 773-480-0509


3rd: Phone @ 773-480-0509

4th: Comments thru this website



Also, follow me on Twitter to receive instant notifications when new blog postings are available!                                    
​My Twitter handle is: @MrsClaeson


** Please remember that I am in class most of the day, Monday - Thursday, and in various meetings and ClassConnects on Fridays, and therefore may not be able to get back to you immediately. Email is the preferred method of communication and is checked (and responded to) in the evening Mondays through Thursdays, and throughout the day on Fridays. Voice mails left for me will be answered generally in the evening as well. Thank you for your patience and consideration, as I do have professional duties outside of the classroom and familial obligations as well. **

I'm always available at the LC before 8:45, in Room 229  Please feel free to catch me then. I am NOT available in person after either  session. You may also see Ms. Swain in the Main Office and have her radio for me before the LC session in the morning. 

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38 South Peoria Street 
(in the Merit School of Music building 
- corner of Peoria & Monroe)


Chicago, Illinois 60607

School Phone #:

312-267-4486
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** Chicago Virtual Charter School (CVCS) does not maintain this web site nor the web sites linked from this site.  CVCS are not responsible for content on pages outside of this school web site.  Sites are selected carefully for middle school student use, but cannot be guaranteed.  Adult supervision is encouraged whenever students are exploring the Internet.

MobyMax Sign-In Link:

www.mobymax.com/il2462

Chicago Virtual Charter School Vision

To become the best hybrid school in the nation.



Chicago Virtual Charter School Mission


To empower every student to flourish as an individual citizen in a diverse, global society.