Do you need or can you donate your old graphing calculators?

Do you have any unneeded graphing calculators that you want another school to use?

Do you know a teacher who wants to use graphing calculators in their classroom and has no way to get them?

Charitable Calculators' goal is to be a conduit of graphing calculators that are no longer needed by schools or school districts mainly in the United States. These durable calculators are needed by other schools mainly overseas but also in the US.

Charitable Calculators is currently seeking donated graphing calculators for schools in the U.S., Haiti, Jamaica, and Namibia.

Help out or get yours today!

Ready, set, go! Implementing the CCSS-M this school year

If you've studied the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics' CONTENT STANDARDS, you've realized that transitioning to the CCSS-M will take more careful planning than simply 'flipping the switch' from the GLCE to the CCSS-M.
The Michigan Department of Education has released grade-level documents that identify grade-level gaps in switching from the GLCE to the CCSS-M. These documents clarify the extra content that each grade-level should teach to ensure all students are gap-free in their learning. Teachers only need to teach the extra content until students have come up through the grades under the CCSS-M.
In each document, each grade level has the CCSS organized by critical area, and with content shifts identified that need to be considered in the first year of full implementation of the CCSS.

$50 Off Coupon - TI-Nspire™ CX Handhelds

Now through Aug 31, 2011, educators can request a coupon for $50 off the following TI products through select instructional product dealers.

• The TI-Nspire™ CX Teacher bundle (includes 1 TI-Nspire CX handheld and a single perpetual license for TI-Nspire™ Teacher Software that includes both the TI-Nspire and TI-Nspire CAS teacher software)
• The TI-Nspire CX CAS Teacher bundle (includes 1 TI-Nspire™ CX CAS handheld and a single perpetual license for TI-Nspire Teacher Software that includes both the TI-Nspire and TI-Nspire CAS software)
• The TI-Nspire CX Transition Pack (includes 1 TI-Nspire CX handheld and a 90 day trial of the TI-Nspire Teacher Software that includes both the TI-Nspire and Nspire CAS software)
• The TI-Nspire CX CAS Transition Pack (includes 1 TI-Nspire CX CAS handheld and a 90 day trial of the Teacher Software that includes both the TI-Nspire and TI-Nspire CAS software)

Call 1.800.TI.Cares (1.800.842.2737) to request a coupon and get full details.

SMARTER Balanced Releases Draft Content Specifications for ELA & Math

Input sought on framework for next-generation assessments

OLYMPIA, Wash — August 9, 2011 – The SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium today released draft content specifications in English language arts/literacy (ELA/literacy) for public comment and review. Based on the Common Core State Standards, the content specifications provide a framework for the development of the SMARTER Balanced assessment system.

“These specifications are an important step toward ensuring that the SMARTER Balanced assessment system accurately measures student achievement across the full range of college- and career-ready skills included in the Common Core State Standards,” said Joe Willhoft, executive director of SMARTER Balanced. “We welcome feedback in order to create a strong foundation for a system of summative and interim assessments and formative resources for teachers.”

SMARTER Balanced is a national consortium of states working collaboratively toward the goal of preparing all students for college and careers by creating a comprehensive assessment system for math and English language arts that is aligned to the Common Core State Standards.

Consistent with the Consortium’s transparent and collaborative approach, member states, organizations and interested stakeholders are invited to provide feedback on the ELA/literacy content specifications through August 29. The content specifications, feedback surveys and a recorded Webinar on evidence-based design are available on the Consortium’s Website at: http://www.k12.wa.us/SMARTER/Resources.aspx. Look in the blue box on the right side of the page for these links.

During the next two months, the Consortium will make both the ELA/literacy and mathematics content specifications available for two rounds of public comment and review. Key dates for the review of the draft content specifications include:

• August 9: ELA/literacy content specifications released (round 1)
• August 22: Mathematics content specifications released (round 1)
• August 29: Feedback due on ELA/literacy (round 1)
• September 12: Feedback due on mathematics (round 1)
• September 19: ELA/literacy content specifications released (round 2)
• September 26: Feedback due on ELA/literacy (round 2)
• October 3: Final ELA/literacy content specifications released; Mathematics content specifications released (round 2)
• October 10: Feedback due on mathematics (round 2)
• October 17: Final mathematics content specifications released

Dr. Linda Darling-Hammond, the Consortium’s senior research advisor and professor of education at the Stanford University School of Education, led the development of the content specifications in collaboration with Karin Hess, senior associate with the National Center for the Improvement of Educational Assessment. The SMARTER Balanced technical advisory committee, Consortium work groups and the lead authors of the Common Core State Standards also contributed to the draft.

Teaching math with technology FREE webinars

Learn dynamic, new ways to teach math—and get a head start on learning specific strategies for incorporating the Common Core State Standards into your classroom—with Key Curriculum Press' complimentary Tech Tuesday webinar series, offered (you guessed it) every Tuesday throughout the school year.

TheTech Tuesday webinars will focus on using Key's The Geometer's Sketchpad, Fathom Dynamic Data, and TinkerPlots Dynamic Data Exploration software to implement the Common Core State Standards. In addition to learning specific Common Core-alignment strategies, all webinar attendees will receive:

• One hour of Professional Development or Continuing Education credit

• New ideas for using technology in your classroom

• Complimentary Sketchpad, TinkerPlots, or Fathom activities to share on your interactive whiteboard

If you don't have a license for your activities' software, you can download trial versions of Sketchpad, Fathom, and TinkerPlots to run the activities and sample the software.

Register now for an upcoming Tech Tuesday webinar and give your students access to the technology they love. Can't attend the live webinar? No problem. Each webinar will be recorded for on-demand viewing and support.

Grant opportunity for PreK-2 mathematics

Using Music to Teach Mathematics Grants for Grades PreK–2 Teachers

http://www.nctm.org/resources/content.aspx?id=1318

The purpose of this grant is to incorporate music into the elementary school classroom to help young students learn mathematics.

For 2012–2013, grants with a maximum of $3,000 each will be awarded to persons currently teaching mathematics in grades PreK–2 level. This award is for individual classroom teachers or small groups of teachers collaborating in one grade or across grade levels. Any acquisition of equipment must support the proposed plan but not be the primary focus of the grant.

Proposals must address the following: the combining of mathematics and music; the plan for improving students’ learning of mathematics; and the anticipated impact on students’ achievement.

Activities are to be completed between June 1, 2012, and May 31, 2013. Past recipients of this grant are ineligible to reapply. No person(s) may receive more than one award administered by the Mathematics Education Trust in the same academic year.

Interested teachers are invited to submit a proposal (see website instructions). The application packet must be postmarked by November 11, 2011.

Grant opportunity for Middle School Math

Engaging Students in Learning Mathematics Grants for Grades 6–8 Teachers

http://www.nctm.org/resources/content.aspx?id=1320

The purpose of this grant is to incorporate middle school classroom materials or lessons that actively engage students in tasks and experiences to deepen and connect their content knowledge.

For 2012-2013, grants with a maximum of $3,000 each will be awarded to persons currently teaching mathematics in grades 6–8. Materials may be in the form of books, visual displays, slide shows, videotapes, or other appropriate medium. Materials may not be calculators, computers, or related equipment. Although such equipment is essential in today’s classroom, this award is not intended to purchase such equipment.

The focus of these materials should be on showing the connectivity of mathematics to other fields or to the world around us. Proposals must address the following: one or more of the Content Standards: number and operations, geometry, measurement, algebra; plan for developing and evaluating materials; and the anticipated impact on students’ learning.

The applicant must be a current (as of October 14, 2011) Full Individual or E-Member of NCTM or teach at a school with a current (as of October 14, 2011) NCTM PreK–8 school membership and currently teach mathematics in grades 6–8 at least 50 percent of the school day.

Project activities are to be completed between June 1, 2012, and May 31, 2013. Past recipients of this grant are not eligible to reapply. No person(s) may receive more than one award administered by the Mathematics Education Trust in the same academic year.

Interested teachers are invited to submit a proposal.

Grant opportunity for K-12 STEM initiatives

Long Range Funding Opportunity Announcement for Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) for K-12 & Institutions of Higher Education
http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=55774
Current Closing Date for Applications: Sept 30, 2011
Estimated Award: up to $200,000 per year.

Eligible Applicants:

• City or township governments
• Independent school districts
• Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
• Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
• Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
• Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
• Private institutions of higher education
• For profit organizations other than small businesses
• Small businesses

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) seeks proposals in support of education programs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

The ONR mission of STEM is to: foster an interest in, knowledge of, and study in science, technology, engineering and mathematics nationwide to ensure an educated and well-prepared workforce, which meets the naval and national competitive needs. In support of this mission, the following five goals have been identified:

• Inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. [Grades K-10];
• Engage students in STEM-related hands-on learning activities using Navy content. [Grades 3-12];
• Educate students to be well-prepared for employment in STEM disciplines in the Navy or in supporting academic institutions or the Naval contractor community. [Higher Education]; Employ, retain and develop Naval STEM professionals. [Higher Education, Professional Development, Faculty];
• Collaborate across Naval STEM programs to maximize benefits to participants and the Navy.

Apply NOW!

Mathematical and Scientific Development in Early Childhood

A Workshop Summary
This resource provides a synopsis of the presentations and discussions by a group of scholars in early childhood development and education: Catherine Snow, Rochel Gelman, Sharon Kagan, Doug Clements, and others. Sponsored by the National Research Council, the March 2004 workshop explored the research in cognition and developmental psychology that sheds light on children’s capacity to learn mathematical and scientific ideas. This summary also provides best practices and guidelines for implementing evidence-based instruction to enhance young children’s cognitive development in mathematics and science.

Calling all 6th grade math teachers!

Sixth grade teachers are needed for a pilot study!
In collaboration with Marilyn Burns, Math Solutions of Sausalito, CA, is conducting a study that explores incoming middle school students' numerical reasoning strategies in the area of number and operations.
As part of the study, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Math Solutions has developed a web-based formative assessment tool. The tool will allow teachers to interview students individually and enter computation data from student work. The assessment addresses whole numbers, fractions, and decimals and is consistent with the concepts, knowledge, and skills outlined in the Common Core State Standards.
Why should teachers participate?
Benefits include:

• Learning how students think about math
• Receiving free professional development
• Accessing the online tool for free
• Managing and printing reports
  

How do teachers qualify?
If you meet the following criteria, Math Solutions invites you to submit an email with your contact information to the Project Coordinator below.

• Ability to assess at least 5 sixth-grade students
• Available to participate either in two Saturday face-to-face sessions between September and October OR two online trainings between late August and mid-October
• Interview students within the September 19th—October 14th time frame
• Interact with project staff as necessary to coordinate training, access online tool, etc.

For more information about the study and the web-based assessment, please contact
Jesus Martinez,
Project Coordinator:
jmartinez@mathsolutions.com

The Common Core Standards: UNPACKED, part 2

In addition to North Carolina, Arizona has kick-started their implementation of the CCSS-M by developing "unpacked" clarifying statements, ties to the Math Practice Standards, and task examples for every single math standard in grades K-12. Be sure to check out your grade level and take advantage of the wealth of instructional support these helpful documents provide.

Curriculum Maps for Common Core Math

Worried about developing new curriculum maps for the Common Core?
Curious about what others are doing?
The Indiana Department of Education has developed Curriculum Maps for math and ELA Common Core State Standards for grades K-12. Each curriculum map contains an

• Overview/introduction
• Guidelines and a timeline for transition to the Common Core
• Units with Big Ideas and Essential Questions
• Learning Targets
• Suggestions for differentiation
• Suggestions for connecting the Math Practice and Content Standards