Visualizing how a population grows to 7 billion

The U.N. estimates that the world's population will pass the 7 billion mark TODAY. WOW! How do we even begin to visualize the size of the world's population when it gets this big?

Check out this video and supporting story from NPR's Adam Cole that helps us to visualize the size of our current world population.

How might we use this video in math classrooms? The video applies to

• rates of change
• proportional reasoning
• mathematical modeling

For high school students, the video presents several topics of potential study within mathematics. Not to mention that it makes lots of connections to social studies and world history.

Check it out now.

For more information...

As NPR's Adam Cole reports, it was just over two centuries ago that the global population was 1 billion — in 1804. But better medicine and improved agriculture resulted in higher life expectancy for children, dramatically increasing the world population, especially in the West.

As higher standards of living and better health care are reaching more parts of the world, the rates of fertility — and population growth — have started to slow down, though the population will continue to grow for the foreseeable future.

U.N. forecasts suggest the world population could hit a peak of 10.1 billion by 2100 before beginning to decline. But exact numbers are hard to come by — just small variations in fertility rates could mean a population of 15 billion by the end of the century.

Classroom Ideas from the Haunted Hallways of NCTM

NCTM has put together a collection of lesson ideas and activities with a Halloween theme.Take a look at an array of activities for all grade levels that offers some delicious ideas that will be sure to sweeten your Halloween lessons and delight your students.

Newsletter: Common Core Math in Kalamazoo County

The Kalamazoo County Common Core Math Committee announces the release of our October 2011 newsletter.

• Curious about the committee and what members have been working on?
• Wondering about when you're supposed to start teaching under the Common Core?
• Curious about Michigan's upcoming high-stakes assessment system?

Check it out now.
Contact your district representative to learn more and to get involved.

KRESA Math PD: Planning & Implementing the CCSS-M PRACTICES

There are 4 sessions to choose from; click on the link to view each flyer.

• High School: October 13, 2011 and January 18, 2012
• Middle School: October 28, 2011 and January 30, 2012
• Grades K-2: November 18, 2011 and February 8, 2012
• Grades 3-5: November 21, 2011 and February 15, 2012
  

8:30am -3:30pm
Kalamazoo RESA

• Does your department have a shared understanding of the Mathematical Practice Standards?
• Do you know what to look for and expect from your students when they are engaged in the Practice Standards?
• Do you need time to revamp your lessons to help focus teaching and learning on the Practice Standards?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, register to attend this two-day workshop to explore the Common Core State Standards for Math’s (CCSS-M) Mathematical Practice Standards.

The Standards for Mathematical Practice outline the experiences and interactions ALL students should have with mathematics. In these two days, we will explore 4 of the 8 CCSS-M Practice Standards in depth. After developing a common understanding of what the practice standards LOOK and SOUND like in classrooms, we will explore new resources that have been developed for teachers to assist teachers in implementing the practice standards and begin to plan lessons using these resources.

Each participant will receive at least one resource book. We will use the book to explore worthwhile mathematical tasks and to plan lessons around the tasks.

Pair this two-day series with the two-day series “Problem-solving in Common Core Math” in Spring 2012 to round out your preparation for implementing the Practice Standards.

REGISTER NOW

ALL Common Core Resources in ONE Place

Just what you've been looking for! One-stop-shopping for all things CCSS-M related.

• Tired of searching around for that lost Common Core file or website?
• Looking for ONE place that houses all of the important Common Core resources?

Search no further. The Michigan-specific Common Core LiveBinder has been developed to keep you up-t0-date in all things concerning the CCSS-M. Here, you'll find information and resources for curriculum, instruction, and assessment under the Common Core in the state of Michigan.

This LiveBinder is under construction. It launches today but check back often as new resources will be added on a weekly basis.