Teachers: Northfield's Sibley Elementary School Students Love Math

Think that young students hate math? Then you need to check out a video made by one Sibley Elementary School third-grade Professional Learning Community group created to illustrate its work for the year.

Shown at Monday's Northfield School Board meeting, students cheer when the teacher announces the math lesson for the day. Another teacher reports students being “fired up” after math class. The video also captures a weekly meeting of this PLC, where teachers brainstorm and problem solve, as well as offer feedback and encouragement to one another.

This focus on math—specifically algebra—came from reviewing test scores of their students. Among strategies included finding and creating things like worksheets tailored to the needs of their students. The PLC meeting time also allowed them to coordinate their instruction to help students get the most out of math lessons.

Apparently it worked, because students showed significant improvement in their algebra skills by mid-year. About 75 percent of all the students met or exceeded their mid-year goals, according to the PLC. Of the four math areas that third-graders learn, algebra went from worst to first during this time, according to Melissa Spitzack and Rhea Mehrkens, two of the five teachers in the PLC. The tandem answered questions at the board meeting.

The meeting then moved from feeding brains to feeding bodies. Child Nutrition Director Pam Haupt presented the 2011-12 food service budget. The proposal is for $1.6 million, down from $1.7 million the year before and $1.8 million the year before that.

One highlight of the food service program for the year is an increase of $4,500 in the “Farm to School” program, in which the school buys local products. Haupt reported preparations are being made in anticipation of implementation of the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act. That includes increasing portion sizes of fruits and vegetables, reducing fat and sodium and switching from processed to whole grains.

In other business, the board heard reports from:

• Director of Business Affairs Stephanie Shawback on several non-operating budget items such as fiduciary and proprietary funds. The district has budgeted $5.8 million for debt service for the coming school year.

• Middle School Principal Jeff Pesta gave an overview of planned changes to the school’s schedule and team teaching model. In the model, teams of 150 students and their teachers will be paired for core classes. Students will take electives such as music, foreign languages and accelerated classes outside their teams. The model allows for greater customization for students and allows schools to pare down personnel if need be, according to Pesta.