We've just defined the Connections Standard in more detail. Now we'd like you to write about it, in the context of your own classroom.

• How might you increase connections to prior learning, prior problem-solving experiences, and other mathematics topics in your own classroom.
• Choose one key mathematics topic at your grade level, and list connections to concepts, skills, and problem solving from both the prior grade and the one that follows. What are some important considerations to incorporate into your instruction?
• What would you define as important for high school mathematics work, for college mathematics work, and for adult fluency in mathematics? What connections can you make in your classroom that will set the foundation for success at these later stages?
• How might you alter your role in the classroom as you support your students in their efforts to make connections to prior learning, to other mathematics, to other subjects, and to their experiences outside of school?

• Use pen and paper.
• Use a word processor.
• Use the form below.

Your work will be displayed in a printer-friendly format to enable you to print.

Thanks for writing in your journal. Please keep your entries in whatever format you choose -- you will find them useful for reference later.

And now, please take a moment to relax, if you haven't already -- or even if you have!

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