What exactly do your students need to know by the end of each unit of mathematics study throughout the school year? This practical resource empowers teacher teams to collectively plan for and deliver highly effective units of study in grades 6-8. The authors clearly outline how to generate essential learning standards, create a team unit calendar, identify prior knowledge, and complete many other essential collaborative tasks. Use this resource to provide intermediate grade-level students with a more equitable mathematics learning experience Understand how to collaboratively plan mathematics units in grades 6-8 as a professional learning community (PLC). - Study the seven unit-planning elements and learn how to incorporate each in essential unit design. - Review the role of the PLC at Work® process in enhancing student learning and teacher collaboration. - Observe three model units, one for each grade, for ratios and proportional reasoning. - Receive tools and templates for effective unit planning. Contents: Acknowledgments Table of Contents About the Authors Introduction Part One: Mathematics Unit Planning and Design Elements Chapter 1: Planning for Student Learning of Mathematics in Grades 6 8 Chapter 2: Unit Planning as a Collaborative Mathematics Team Part Two: Ratios and Proportional Reasoning Examples, Grades 6 8 Chapter 3: Grade 6 Unit--Ratios and Rates Chapter 4: Grade 7 Unit--Proportional Reasoning Chapter 5: Grade 8 Unit--Linear Functions and Equations Epilogue Appendix A: Create a Proficiency Map Appendix B: Team Checklist and Questions for Mathematics Unit Planning References and Resources Index "This book intentionally guides collaborative teams of teachers through a thorough unit-planning process that ensures deep grade-level mathematics learning for every student. This process is critical for teacher teams collectively believing that every student can learn challenging mathematics content, and collectively committing to addressing the specific learning needs of individual students. Every collaborative teacher team can benefit from the unit-planning resources provided in this book to build deeper, common understandings of the most essential mathematics learnings and shared ownership of student success in learning." --Becky Walker, assistant superintendent of academics and innovation, Howard-Suamico School District, Wisconsin " Mathematics Unit Planning in a PLC at Work, Grades 6-8 answers the question, 'What must we do in our team planning to make a difference for our students?' From planning essential learning standards to recording reflections and notes, this comprehensive text provides guidance for collaborative PLC teams to develop necessary structures for the critical work of planning and implementing common units." --John W. Staley, NCSM: Leadership in Mathematics Education President 2015-2017, United States National Commission for Mathematics Instruction Chair 2018-2020 "The PLC at Work books are incredible, but just got better with the addition of this book to the set. Its focus on mathematics unit planning is a natural complement to the arc of the series. The framing and connection to DuFour and DuFour's four critical questions for a PLC establish the need for the book and lay out a logical flow that is practical for users to apply and learn from. As a university mathematics education professor and professional development provider, I believe this book, with its emphasis on mathematics and useful examples of tools and templates for PLC teacher teams, is an excellent contribution to the field." --Janet Tassell, associate professor, School of Teacher Education, Western Kentucky University Sarah Schuhl is a consultant specializing in professional learning communities, mathematics, common formative and summative assessment, school improvement, and RTI. She has been a secondary mathematics teacher, high school instructional coach, and K-12 mathematics specialist for more than 20 years. Timothy D. Kanold, PhD, is an award-winning educator, author, and consultant and national thought leader in mathematics. He is former director of mathematics and science and served as superintendent of Adlai E. Stevenson High School District 125, a model professional learning community (PLC) district in Lincolnshire, Illinois. Jessica Kanold-McIntyre is an educational consultant and author committed to supporting teacher implementation of rigorous mathematics curriculum and assessment practices, blended with research-informed instructional practices. She works with teachers and schools around the country to meet the needs of their students. Specifically, she specializes in building and supporting the collaborative teacher culture through the curriculum, assessment, and instruction cycle. Suyi Chuang is the professional learning supervisor for Loudoun County Public Schools in Ashburn, Virginia. Suyi also serves the school district as a certified project-based learning (PBL) facil