CRSD to implement Illustrative Mathematics

This year, CRSD is implementing the IM program that will align K-12 mathematics learning across the district. The new program aligns with the new math standards formulated by the Arkansas Department of Education

By Ethan Nahté

The Dequeen Mena Education Service Cooperative hosted a professional development course. Andria Miller introduced Illustrative Mathematics (IM) to educators. They got to experience a lesson from both the student and teacher perspectives, engage in a resource scavenger hunt, and develop a process to plan using IM for this next school year.

Cossatot River School District (CRSD) posted on their Facebook page that they will be utilizing IM in their new mathematics curriculum program.

Over the last two years, CRSD also implemented new literacy curriculum programs that align K-12 as well. The programs correlate from grade-to-grade and provide teachers will resources they need to teach the standards.

They are proud to be advancing their math and literacy curriculum programs to offer high quality education to CRSD students.

Founded in 2011 at the University of Arizona, Illustrative Mathematics is guided and inspired by educators who work in spirited teams to do extraordinary things. The result is a comprehensive suite of math curricula, designed to encourage engaging mathematical discussion, supported by tasks, lesson plans, professional learning, and community.

CAMP continued from page 13 during the antebellum South.

tenson called ‘What Happens When Women Pray,’” Perkins said. “It’s a research study she did in the ‘70s. It’s how to pray and how God directs you to pray and what’s important.

“And we’ll learn about fasting and the relationship of prayer and fasting. Why did Jesus talk about that and why he thought it was important to do?”

Don’t worry, Perkins laughed and said, “We’re going to be cooking on the campfire. We’ll have cowboy stew, cornbread, homemade pies. That’s not very fasting is it?”

The Women for Jesus team will present testimony concerning serving others by Jesus’ example by the study of apron strings.

“We’re going to make an analogy between a bib and apron strings. We wear a bib to be served and apron to serve. There are aprons in everything women do. How we, as Women for Jesus, are servants for Jesus, our need to serve and how important it is to serve others and not be afraid of that.”

“Keepers of the Secret Code” (Doodle and Peck Publishing) is a book co-authored by KJ Williams and Teresa R. Kemp. The authors will be guest speakers. They will bring quilts telling the true story of how African Igbo designs were sewn into quilts conveying messages on how to get to safe houses

“Kemp’s great aunt Ozella Williams broke the story in the early ‘90s about Kemp’s great-grandmother, who had the quilts.”

Kemp is also the great-granddaughter of a plantation owner. Her ancestors, Eliza and Peter Farrow, are the real-life main characters of the middle grade novel. They were slaves on the plantation located in Glynn County, Georgia. According to the authors, the Farrows used and passed down the secret quilt codes used in the Underground Railroad.

Perkins said, “These codes show through the faithful prayer of those in slavery. God’s sovereignty led them to freedom. Twelve of these quilts will be on display during the Prayer Camp.

“All women should be there to hear of these extraordinary true events of the making of these quilted codes, especially all the quilters of this generation. That’s how they made their notes to keep it hidden from the slave owners.”

KJ Williams is from Florida. She came across this story through research. She found that Kemp was a part of the history and was wanting to write. She contacted Kemp in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, to collaborate on the book. Both authors are also teachers.

The book will be available to purchase.

Kemp’s mother, an octogenarian, is using some of these secret patterns and bringing 12 quilts to the Prayer Camp, where they will be displayed for attendees. She’ll be talking about quilting and her era.

“There are great quilting groups in Mena and Polk County,” Perkins said. “This is going to be a great story for them.”

The Prayer Camp registration will open at noon on Friday, Sept. 29. The session will begin at 2 p.m. and continue through 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30.

“We started it at 2 so people could work in the mornings. When people want to get off work for other events, they can normally get off work. This is for every age of girls and women. We’re not charging for the event. We’re going to have an offering.

“Bring your tent and blow-up mat- tresses; or stay in the dorm. These are offered at a first come, first serve basis. We have a place with three or four bedrooms and bathrooms. Available are three hookups, so some women are bringing RVs. Some of us are going to sleep on the ground. We aren’t going to do much sleeping. We’ll have a big bonfire. It’ll be beautiful out there in the fall.

Cell service is spotty in the Kiamichi Mountains. If you need directions in advance or more information, you can contact either Nancy Wright at 479243-7199 or nwright@remax.net, or Perkins at 918-755-4462 or cperkinsphd@yahoo.com /

Perkins said, “Remember, this is only a 24-hour event. Our time will be spent in fellowship and corporate prayer, binding together learning about faith, and that God’s desire for us to get down on our knees in prayer, and get up off our knees to serve!”