Earlier this year, CICS West Belden shared how our middle school math team was selected to be part of LEAP Innovations’ Pilot Network. Throughout the course of the Pilot Network program, the West Belden middle school team has been exploring innovative strategies for personalized learning and student engagement. The team is tackling a critical question: How might we empower our middle school diverse learners to engage more confidently in math class? Through deep reflection and continued iteration, the team is focused on the widening achievement gap, particularly for students with diverse learning needs.
Leveraging findings from empathy interviews, the team identified that many students lack the vocabulary and confidence to discuss math concepts. “It’s not that they don’t want to share—they just don’t know how,” explains Stacey Gyumishev, cohort member and special education teacher at CICS West Belden. These insights informed the team’s "How Might We" statement and inspired a plan to scaffold support for students by incorporating mathematical sentence stems and conversation starters into daily lessons.
Building on this foundation, the team has developed an exciting new prototype: student-created instructional videos! After mastering a topic, students will work in small groups to create “how-to” videos, explaining concepts like multiplying fractions or dividing decimals in their own words. “The goal is to help students realize, ‘I can actually talk about math,’ and showcase their understanding through video,” says Mrs. Gyumishev. By tapping into students’ interest in platforms like YouTube, the team hopes to make learning both engaging and confidence-boosting.
This innovative approach is about both teaching content as well as fostering a classroom culture where students feel comfortable to express their mathematical thinking. “We want math discussions to feel as rich and dynamic as conversations in History or English class,” Gyumishev adds. The process also encourages students to take ownership of their learning while allowing teachers to learn from their students’ perspectives.
As the new year approaches, the team is eager to pilot these student videos and observe how they impact engagement and learning outcomes. “This process has pushed us to be more thoughtful and introspective as educators,” Gyumishev reflects.“We’re hopeful this will help our students build the confidence to engage in deeper conversations about math.”
With the support of LEAP Innovations, CICS West Belden is leading the way in reimagining their middle school math classrooms. By bridging gaps in communication and fostering creativity, the team is laying the groundwork for a brighter future for their diverse learners. Stay tuned for more updates as they bring their prototype to life!