Absenteeism

Being absent in a CMP class is different from being absent in a traditional class. For example, students miss the experience of developing their understanding by working on a problem and discussing key concepts and strategies. In Connected Mathematics, key concepts and skills are developed over several classroom investigations. If students are absent for only a day or two, they have not missed the entire discussion on a key idea. The following suggestions come from CMP teachers.

When Students are Absent

• Keep assignments and activities posted in the classroom so students know what they missed.
• Have group members collect any materials that are passed out for absent group members.
• Establish note-taking buddies so students have someone to provide the notes.
• Keep a master copy of the classroom notes for students' reference.
• Have group or class members summarize what was done the previous day.

When Teachers are Absent

Many teachers have found that, without some professional development, it is difficult for a substitute teacher to teach a problem or lesson. Suggestions of activities that can be done when a substitute teaches the class are given here.

• Partner Quizzes: Pairs can work on quizzes fairly independently, using their notes and books as resources. When it is possible, assigning partners the day before can reduce confusion as the class begins.
• Review: Compile worksheets, using the additional practice problems from the units you have completed. If you teach seventh or eighth grade, you can use the problems from previous years.
• ACE questions: Assign a set of ACE questions to be done in class. You can provide incentives for students. For example, if work is done diligently the first part of the period, you might allow students to work with a partner for the second half of the period.

Note that the all three suggestions work well if the teacher knows in advance that he or she will be absent. The last two suggestions also work for unexpected absences.

These ideas were taken from the CMP Web site hosted by Michigan State University.

Substitute Teacher Forms

(You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these documents.)

• Substitute Teacher's Quick Reference
• Substitute Teacher's Survival Kit
• Substitute Teacher's Feedback Form