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Date: 4/20/2023
LONGMEADOW — The Longmeadow School Committee had the opportunity to witness — and participate in — some hands-on math with a group of second grade Blueberry Hill School students at its April 11 meeting.
After Principal David Allen presented a video that displayed Bridges curriculum lessons in which students worked on shapes and categorization and used manipulatives, math coach Rebecca Powell and six students completed a miniature lesson in place values.
The students were given chains of 10 links and discussed how 10 chains would equal 100 links. School Committee members worked with pairs of students to group chains of 10 links and assemble them. Powell and the students then demonstrated different ways to find various links in the chain using math. They also estimated the length of a hypothetical chain with 1,000 links.
After the demonstration, Assistant Superintendent for Learning Susan Bertrand reported that a review of the elementary-level literacy curriculum was underway. Consultants are interviewing teachers and other educators and examining achievement data to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the existing curriculum. Recommendations on any changes will be made when a report is issued this summer.
Bertrand also spoke about the iReady scores of students targeted by Student Opportunity Act funding, namely those with disabilities or who are economically disadvantaged.
She said their math iReady scores have increased since the fall and students are performing better than before the Bridges curriculum was implemented. She expects 80% or more of them to be performing at grade level by June.