Adventures with Mathematics: combating summer learning loss

Michigan Council of Teachers of Mathematics (MCTM) is continuing to work on a series of books titled Adventures with Mathematics, which provide students with short problems as well as hands-on activities for each grade level and are designed to minimize summer learning loss. The proceeds from the sales of the books will be used for the MCTM scholarship endowment fund to provide scholarships for future mathematics teachers.

They are in need of some more activities and short problems to help make this series a success. The following books are still in need of good problems and activities

• Kindergarten to Grade 1
• Grade 2 to Grade 3
• Grade 3 to Grade 4
• Grade 7 to Grade 8
• Grade 8 to Algebra 1
• Algebra 2 to Senior Mathematics

For a detailed list of which GLCE's and HSCE's still need problems and activities, visit F2010 Needs for Adventures with Mathematics books.pdf

If you are willing to help or have further questions, please contact either Char Beckmann at beckmannc21@aol.com or Jean Williams at jeanwms17@sbcglobal.net.

USED Data Express

ED Data Express is a Web site designed to improve the public's ability to access and explore high-value state-level education data collected by the U.S. Department of Education. The site is designed to be interactive and to present the data in a clear, easy-to-use manner, with options to download information into Excel or manipulate the data within the Web site.

ED Data Express includes three tools that allow users to access and view the data: a State Snapshots page, a Data Element Explorer, and a Build a State Table page. The State Snapshot pages include charts and tables with key data for each state. The Data Element Explorer allows users to view a single element across all states, both graphically and in a table. The Build a State Table page allows users to build customized tables by selecting specific data elements and specific states.

Curious about Michigan's data? Check out Data Express to see how we measure up against others.

GVSU's Math Education Conference Announcement

2011 Concurrent Conferences on Mathematics Education

Math In Action: Strategies for Student Success

Conversations among Colleagues: Common Core Standards: Implications for Mathematics Education

8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Mackinac Hall
Allendale Campus
Grand Valley State University
Grand Rapids, MI

Conference Highlights

Math in Action
Math in Action is of interest to K–12 teachers of mathematics. The conference features five concurrent interactive sessions. During sessions, participants engage in hands-on activities they can use with their own students in learning mathematics. SB-CEUs will be available for most sessions.

Special this year, Math in Action will run concurrently with Conversations among Colleagues, a conference for college and university mathematics educators and mathematicians and K–12 mathematics teacher leaders and administrators. Jere Confrey (North Carolina State University) will present the purpose of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), their implications, and questions raised. Zalman Usiskin (University of Chicago), will present a curriculum developer’s view of the CCSS. Sessions throughout the day will highlight learning trajectories for whole number (Sybilla Beckmann, University of Georgia), fractions (Jere Confrey), measurement (Jack Smith, Michigan State University), algebra (Lisa Kasmer, GVSU and Jill Newton, Purdue University), and geometry (Christian Hirsch and Alden Edson, Western Michigan University), with examples for specific grade levels and implications for the surrounding grades. Mary Bouck will also present formative assessment with respect to the CCSS.

Conference fees are $35 for professors and administrators, $30 for teachers, $20 for graduate students, and $15 for undergraduate students.

Participants may choose sessions from both conferences.

Conference program is now available here.

Questions
For further information, please email conference co-chairs Charlene Beckmann at beckmannc21@aol.com or Karen Novotny at novotnka@gvsu.edu.

January Math Workgroup for K-5 Teachers: Register NOW

Are you a K-5 math teacher who wants to know more about effectively integrating math games into your math lessons? Into your math centers?

Do you wonder how you can use math games to help students develop conceptual and procedural understanding of important math concepts?

If so, come to January’s Math Workgroup at Kalamazoo RESA.

We will spend time exploring various math games and discussing ways to use them to enhance the mathematics learning in your classroom. You will leave with math games resources that will help you to plan lessons (without or without using math centers) that integrate games into your math instruction.

Registration for the January Math Workgroup session is now open. But, hurry! The 50 spots are sure to fill quickly!

January 11, 2011
4:30-6:30 pm
Kalamazoo RESA
FREE
Light refreshments provided

For information about this workgroup and all the other math workshops offered at KRESA, visit our professional development page.

Spiral-bound Common Core Math Booklets NOW Available

Schools and districts are now able to order the complete set of Common Core State Standards for Math (CCSS-M) from REMC12 printing. And, better yet, the order can be placed online! The booklet contains the full set of content and practice standards for mathematics for grades K-12 AND Appendix A which outlines model course pathways for high school mathematics.

The price of each booklet drops significantly with each additional booklet ordered:
1 booklet $39.94/booklet
5 booklets 17.27/booklet
10 booklets 14.43/booklet
25 booklets 12.41/booklet

To order, go to REMC12 printing and log in or create an account. Then, from the product listing, select Common Core State Standards for Math and place your order.

What year are you preparing your students for? 1980 or 2020?

Explore these questions and raise your own with internationally recognized curriculum expert Dr. Heidi Hayes Jacobs in what promises to be a lively and engaging webinar event. She will share her newest project on how upgrade professional development as well as provide you with specific resources

Presidential Awards for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching

Are you or do you know an outstanding mathematics or science teacher in seventh through twelfth grade? Please consider nominating him or her for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Anyone - principals, teachers, parents, students, or member of the general public - may nominate a teacher by completing the nomination form available on the PAEMST website at http://www.paemst.org. We will be accepting nominations until April 1, 2011. An online application is also available. There is still plenty of time to apply. Applications are due May 2, 2011.

What Are the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching?

The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) is the highest recognition that a kindergarten through 12th-grade mathematics or science teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. Enacted by Congress in 1983, this program authorizes the President to bestow up to 108 awards each year. The National Science Foundation administers PAEMST on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

In addition to honoring individual achievement, the goal of the award program is to exemplify the highest standards of mathematics and science teaching. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education.

The following are eligibility criteria for nominees. They must:

· Teach mathematics or science at the 7th-12th grade level in a public or private school.

· Hold at least a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.

· Be a full-time employee of the school or school district as determined by state and district policies, and teach K-12 students at least 50% of the time.

· Have at least 5 years of full-time, K-12 mathematics or science teaching experience prior to the 2010-2011 academic school year.

· Teach in one of the 50 states or the four U.S. jurisdictions. The jurisdictions are Washington, DC; Puerto Rico; Department of Defense Schools; and the U.S. territories (American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands).

· Be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.

· Not have received the PAEMST award at the national level in any prior competition or category.

Why Apply?

Recipients of the award receive the following:

• A citation signed by the President of the United State s.
• A paid trip for two to Washington, D.C., to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities.
• A $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.

In addition to recognizing outstanding teaching in mathematics or science, the program provides teachers with an opportunity to build lasting partnerships with colleagues across the nation. This growing network of award-winning teachers serves as a vital resource for improving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education and keeping America globally competitive.

Common Core Alignment Grids

Wondering how closely the Common Core State Standards for Math (CCSS-M) align with Michigan's GLCE and HSCE? Check out the draft alignment grids and find out how closely the Common Core content resembles the content that Michigan students are already learning.

What are the NEW Math Practice Standards?

Some of us are in districts that have begun to make the transition to Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSS-M). And, some of us are in districts that are just beginning to think about the upcoming transition. No matter where we're at along the implementation spectrum, one this is for sure: The biggest challenge teachers will have in implementing the CCSS-M will be in focusing mathematics instruction around the new 8 Standards for Mathematical Practice (Practice Standards). This means that students should learn all of their math content with the context of the practice standards.
So, let's start discussing the 8 Practice Standards and build a common vision that describes what they look like, sound like, and how they will affect assessment and grading in ALL of our math classrooms.