Curriculum Focal Points: A framework for pre-k-8 teachers’

(US) mathematics teachers place less emphasis on topics and teach a variety of content strands (Goldsmith, Mark & Kantrov, 2000; Kerachsky, 2008). The overall pattern in the US mathematics classrooms today is that primary and upper elementary teachers cover numerous topics before students achieve mastery (Cogan & Schmidt, 1999; National Center for Education Statistics, 1997). To solve this problem, US teachers need to find ways to focus fewer curriculum and study topics with a more in-depth agenda. Curriculum Focal Points for pre-kindergarten through grade 8 mathematics: a quest for coherence (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 2006) provides a strong framework that may assist teachers in creating a more coherent and focused mathematics program for students. In this article, the authors discuss example lessons that were implemented and observed in pre-kindergarten, fourth grade and sixth grade classrooms during a year-long professional development program. The overarching goal of this program was to provide appropriate instruction for teachers to organize mathematics standards-based curriculum in geometry, algebra and measurement, using a curriculum that emphasizes a strong conceptual framework. As an outcome of this exploratory research agenda, the authors ’ intentions were to circulate “best practices ” and encourage international connections and discussion when using Curriculum Focal Points (CFP) in global classrooms. Key words: curriculum; professional development; mathematics teaching and learning 1