Algebra in the High School

I am very proud to share with you another example of Penn-Trafford leading on the cutting edge in instructing our students.  Mr. Inglese has written a blog entry explaining a new initiative in teaching at the high school.

Algebra for the 21st Century

Two high school math teachers, Tiffany Stewart and Lew McCracken together have reinvented how Algebra 1 is taught at Penn Trafford High School.  They are team teaching to integrate 21^st Century Learning strategies into their classroom.  They have made abstract algebraic concepts easy to understand using a variety of different strategies such as Inquiry Based Learning, a “pseudo” flipped classroom, Project Based Learning, Blended Schools, Penn Literacy Network, Differentiated Instruction, adapted lessons based upon Formative Assessments, Video/Conceptual Based Learning (based upon Dan Meyer’s research), and Keystone questioning techniques and strategies.  

Feedback from students and parents has been outstanding.  Students who have always struggled with math are now seeing success.  Failures are nearly non-existent and the number of A’s and B’s are significantly higher.  These students now enjoy math class and look forward to it as one of the bright spots in their day.

Local school districts have taken notice about what is happening at Penn Trafford.  These districts are very interested to hear how these teachers have transformed Algebra from traditional teaching and learning to 21^st Century teaching and learning.  Before Christmas break, they presented their program to over 60 teachers and administrators at the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit, and they are scheduled to present at the STEM Education Conference at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in February.

The teachers at the high school plan to expand these practices in Geometry next year and in Algebra 2 the following year.