The state of Minnesota is changing their math standards! Many drafts have been written, received feedback on and revised, and there is finally a draft that has been sent off to lawmaking in order to be approved, hopefully by the end of this calendar year. One major change to these new standards are the two mathematical dimensions that they’ve added: Standards of Mathematical Process and Benchmark Contexts. They’ve integrated these two dimensions into the Minnesota state mathematics standards because they are practices that can and should be used by mathematicians of any and all ages, therefore fitting all standards regardless of grade level.

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In Dimension 1: Standards of Mathematical Process (MP), the focus is on the Standards for Mathematical Practices which are eight standards that students who are mathematically proficient show. Throughout this series of articles, all eight will be explained in detail, each having their own article.

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Throughout the next four school years, school districts are being asked to develop an understanding of these eight mathematical practices as well as mathematical rigor and the five mathematical contexts in Dimension 2. This article and the eight that will follow detailing each of the mathematical practices are meant to inform and begin to help develop an understanding of each one. Sara VanDerWerf from the Minnesota Department of Education is going to be doing a series of webinars through Minnesota Council of Mathematics about the Standards of Mathematical Practices and her first one is coming up on September 18th at 7:00 AM. If you’re interested in viewing it, please go to www.mctm.org.

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If you’d like more information, support, or guidance on developing a better understanding of these mathematical practices, please reach out to our Math Team here at Resource Training & Solutions.

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Mindy Strom

Math Lead

Email: mstrom@resourcecoop-mn.gov

Phone: (612) 505-7997

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Megan Klaphake

Math Coach

Email: mklaphake@resourcecoop-mn.gov

Phone: (218) 770-0026

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References

^{SanGiovanni, J. (2019). Using the mathematical practices effectively in the classroom. Retrieved August 29, 2024.}

^{https://www.mheducation.com/unitas/school/explore/research/reveal-math-using-mathematical-practices-effectively-classroom.pdf}

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^{Illustrative Mathematics. (2014, February 12). Standards for mathematical practice: Commentary and elaborations for K–5. Tucson, AZ. Retrieved August 29, 2024 from}

^{chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://commoncoretools.me/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Elaborations.pdf}

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^{Flynn, M. (2017). Beyond answers: Exploring mathematical practices with young children. Stenhouse.}