It's not about ME.... It's what is best for students!

So I had no choice, I had to teach SRA. I had to find a happy place and make the program my own. Below I offer suggestions on how you can teach SRA with fidelity or any scripted program  while still making it your own. I was originally not a fan of SRA especially for math, but after seeing some of the structure and repetition and seeing student success in the skill eventually I had to give in and realize that the program was not about me, but about the students and how they learn. It was like the serenity prayer... I had to accept the things I cannot change, courage to accept the things I can and wisdom to know the difference; and reading from the scripted program is one of them! I could however have the courage to try to find new ways to incorporate some of me into the program, or classroom structure/routines. Below are some suggestions with examples.

1. Try to incorporate structures/concepts that the students/school uses-  Our school is a Thinking Maps school. I had to follow a certain set of rules. Instead of just listing them on chart paper, I incorporated them into a tree map. This was helpful for the students.

2. This is still your classroom! 
Try picking a theme or decor to make it about you and the kids. I came up with a Madagascar theme and each group had their team name such as Zebras, Penguins, etc. I put up progress charts of lesson progressions and each quarter I pick a different theme for the bulletin board. Make it meaningful and related to the students. Remember this is their learning space too.

3. The program is a effective as you mindset of it. 

Even though it is a scripted program you have to BELIEVE in it! I know this was hard for me at first but trust me once you see  your toughest group of fifth graders actually subtracting with regrouping on their own it is as if the heavens came down! This day will also come for your groups eventually! You just have to speak about the program positively in front of your students and colleagues and stay positive about it. Remember you are still a teacher just working with students that need a different  learning structure and repetition.

What??? I have to teach SRA??????

I have always had a love for mathematics. As a child I loved problem solving and mathematics. As I grew up I wanted others to learn to love mathematics. I became a teacher and after five years I thought I was making a mathematical difference in students lives and wanted to support additional students.  I decided to become a math interventionist but surprisingly did not realize how different it would be. My blog is about teaching mathematics with SRA and the emotional roller coaster journey I have experienced.

The reason I became a Math Interventionist was to help support additional students. The job description stated that interventionist would support both teachers and students in all the Tiers. I was so excited I thought this would be a wonderful opportunity to work with others and at the same time work with children and provide them with best instruction. I was so excited to have such an opportunity. Finally after years of having such a reading driven system, math coaches and interventionist were coming back!

I obtained a position as a math interventionist at the ideal campus and I had great ideas as to how to support teachers with mathematics. But that all changed when I was told we were teaching SRA!!!! I was so disappointed I thought I knew what was best instruction and a scripted program was not it. I was soul searching thinking if I could somehow muster the strength  to teach a scripted program. I had no realistic alternative. Now what?