(Mi)2 at the Alt+Shift Summer Institute
Mathematics was well represented at this year’s summer institute:
- Caitlin Donnelly and Mary Sunisloe talked about increasing accessibility to high school mathematics through an inclusive, co-taught setting.
- Ann Bingham and Ann Shell worked with a mixed group of general and special education teachers on powering their math standards.
- Dr. Chris Cain provided a two-day preview of Foundations of Math: Teaching Students With Significant Disabilities.
Summer institute attendees had an opportunity to attend a reception with our TED-style and breakout session presenters in addition to spending two days in institutes provided by state and national leaders.
Here is what some of the math attendees said they learned at the institute:
- How to define power standards and select them.
- Using visual and oral descriptions of patterns before getting to calculations.
- Resources to describe the math practices
- Protocols for identifying power standards
- We need to create math thinkers, not math memorizers.
|
|
Foundations of Math: Implementation Story
Name: Jim Gee, Principal, Willow Ridge Elementary School
District: Grand Ledge Public Schools
Registration for both Foundations of Math and Foundations of Math: Teaching Students With Significant Disabilities is currently open. Applications for implementation sites are currently closed. Keep an eye on this newsletter for future opportunities to join the implementation study.
|
|
|
|
Jim Gee's Foundations of Math Implementation Story
|
|
Enhancing Mathematics Instruction for Students With Disabilities
In Realizing Rigor in the Mathematics Classroom, Ted H. Hull et al. present research consistent with revisions made to the Enhancing Mathematics course. It informs instruction for all students, including those with disabilities and those who struggle.
Students who have the greatest difficulty with mathematics content can also be the same students who have convinced themselves that they cannot learn mathematics and lose interest more quickly. Because of this lack of attention, teachers must plan lessons that include frequent mental breaks that allow students to process what they have heard or experienced. All breaks are helpful, but allowing students time to talk and share is far more beneficial.
Research suggests that the average student’s attention span lasts about 8–10 minutes. After that, they may “zone out.” When this happens, students may be quiet, but are they attentive? Are they thinking deeply about the content and gaining new understanding?
Gavin and Moylan (2012) provide several recommendations to teachers who are trying to meet the needs of diverse learners. First, they recommend using appropriate tasks, i.e., tasks that stress concept development and push students to work beyond their comfort zones (p.185).
Another suggestion is a strong recommendation to require students to discuss concepts and justify their reasoning. Gavin and Moylan encourage teachers to have students communicate their thoughts through writing, where writing includes drawing representations (p.186). This recommendation is backed up by their request for teachers to use formative assessments to inform instruction (p.189).
At the core of Enhancing Math is the Math Accessibility Framework and “six areas” involved in learning math: Conceptual Processing, Language, Visual-Spatial Processing, Organization, Memory, and Attention. As we look for ways to increase engagement and deepen student understanding of mathematics, we need to look for ways to support all students, including those who are struggling.
|
|
Delta Math
Delta Math provides online readiness screeners to help educators identify students not ready to learn current math standards in kindergarten through Algebra 1. Over the past few years, more special education teachers have begun to utilize the Delta Math tier 3 screeners to generate an additional two years of progression data. They also use the Student Progress Report to provide focused data that helps determine individualized education program (IEP) goals and document the impact of instruction between the fall, winter, and spring screeners. In addition, Quick Checks and Growth Charts frequently measure and monitor the impact of daily instruction.
View the Delta Math readiness and tier 3 standards for each grade level.
If you would like to learn more about Delta Math or schedule an information session for the 2017–2018 school year, please email Mike Klavon.
|
|
Explaining Mathematical Thinking in the Early Grades
KQED News highlights two early elementary school classrooms, filmed by The Teaching Channel, in “How Kids Benefit from Learning to Explain Their Math Thinking.” This article shows that having young students explain their mathematical ideas helps them access important mathematical concepts. When teachers ask students to go deeper with their explanations, students are able to notice more abstract concepts and deepen their understanding.
|
|
Upcoming (Mi)2 Professional Learning Opportunities
- August 7-8, Foundations of Math, Days 1 and 2, St. Johns
- August 9-10, Foundations of Math: Teaching Students with Significant Disabilities, Days 1 and 2, St. Johns
- October 16, Foundations of Math, Day 3, St. Johns
- October 17-18, Foundations of Math: Teaching Students with Significant Disabilities, Days 3 and 4, St. Johns
- November 8-9, Foundations of Math, Days 4 and 5, St. Johns
- November 10, Foundations of Math: Teaching Students with Significant Disabilities, Day 5, St. Johns
- November 14-15, Enhancing Mathematics Instruction for Students With Learning Difficulties participant course and facilitator certification, Days 1-2, Okemos
- December 4, Enhancing Mathematics Instruction for Students With Learning Difficulties participant course and facilitator certification, Days 3, Okemos
- December 5, Enhancing Mathematics Instruction for Students With Learning Difficulties facilitator certification, Days 4, Okemos
|
|
Upcoming Regional Foundations of Math Dates
Ishpeming:
- August 15, 16, and 31
- October 13
- November 10
Charlevoix-Emmett ISD:
- August 16, 17, and 30
- Days 4 and 5 to be determined
|
|
|
Math Around Michigan
Michigan Council of Teachers of Mathematics (MCTM) Book Club
This summer, MCTM will be studying The Impact of Identity in K–8 Mathematics: Rethinking Equity-Based Practices by Julia Aguirre, Karen Mayfield-Ingram, and Danny Bernard Martin (available at the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics bookstore). The book has K–8 in the title because the classroom stories are from that grade band, but the ideas and principles can be applied to all age levels.
The study began the week of June 25 and will last eight weeks. Each week we read and discuss one of the chapters. Questions will be added to a Google Doc and emailed at the beginning of the week. Book club members have the week to read, reflect, and respond. There is no cost to join the book club, other than the cost of the book.
If you would like to join or have additional questions, please email Kevin Dykema.
Macomb ISD Summer Professional Learning Opportunities
Macomb ISD has a variety of offerings for all grade levels from June to August. Topics include proportional relationships, number talks, fractions/decimals/percents, Math Recovery, and the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics’ Principles to Action. For a list of offerings, including dates, registration, and cost, check out the Mathematics Summer Workshops flyer.
Oakland Schools Summer Professional Learning
Oakland Schools offers a variety of quality professional learning opportunities. Scroll through the Summer 2017 Mathematics Professional Learning Opportunities flyer for more information on a variety of offerings, including opportunities for elementary, middle, and high school teachers in June, July, and August.
AP® Computer Science Principles (CSP) Professional Learning Series
The Michigan Math and Science Center Network will offer the AP® CSP Professional Learning Series this summer for schools offering AP® Computer Science in the fall. Interested schools will submit an application to attend the five-day conference-style workshop designed to introduce computer science concepts from the curriculum, AP® elements of the course, and core teaching practices. The series runs July 31 to August 4, 2017. For more information, including the application for participation, visit the CSP Professional Learning Series website.
Michigan Council of Teachers of Mathematics (MCTM) Annual Conference
The 68th MCTM Annual Conference will be held July 25–27 at Traverse City Central High School.
Keynote speakers include Margaret Heritage, speaking on formative assessment, and Jason Zimba, a lead writer of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.
Visit the MCTM website for more information.
Save the Date: Detroit Area Council of Teachers of Mathematics (DACTM) and Metro Detroit Science Teachers Association Joint Annual Conference
The joint conference will be held in Warren at Cousino High School on Saturday, November 11, 2017. Keep an eye on the DACTM website for details as they become available.
Save the Date: Math in Action Conference
Math in Action will take place Saturday, February 24, 2018, at Mackinac Hall on Grand Valley State University’s Allendale campus. Math In Action presents lively and informative discussions of current issues in mathematics education while providing an opportunity for practicing Pre-K to 12 teachers, prospective teachers, curriculum directors, and college and university faculty to share ideas, concerns, and resources. For more information, download the Math in Action Save the Date flyer.
|
|
(Mi)2 Partner Organizations
The Detroit Area Council of Teachers of Mathematics (DACTM) proactively supports Michigan math educators’ continued professional growth.
The Michigan Council for Exceptional Children (MCEC) is part of a national community of educators who are the voice and vision of special and gifted education.
The Michigan Council of Teachers of Mathematics (MCTM) is the professional organization for Michigan mathematics educators at any grade level, pre-K through college.
The Michigan Mathematics and Science Centers Network (MMSCN) collaborates with partners across the state to improve math and science teaching.
|
|
|
|
|
