Program Manager's Message:
Happy Holidays from all of us!!!
As I sit here at my cubicle, it's currently less than a week till Christmas Day. Hanukkah started yesterday. Yule begins day after tomorrow, and Festivus, though often ignored as a holiday, is coming up on Friday.
It is also weird to be in a position where a break isn't automatically taken. We state employees celebrate a holiday next Monday, but that's it besides taking our leave days. Granted, we also accrue more leave days, so it all works out about the same, for most of us, I believe.
Regardless, I'd like to take a moment to personally thank all of you for all that you have done for our Kansas students this past year. There's no question that it's been a challenging one, coming off of the learning losses associated with the pandemic to a world where several viruses were keeping kids out of the classroom.
I sincerely hope you all have a wonderful, safe, and happy holiday, no matter which you celebrate. We'll see you all in January once again!
Stephen
Ada Lovelace
First Computer Programmer
You may watch the videos below to learn more about Ada Lovelace.
Successes Around the State
Call for Content
Are you doing something amazing in your classroom that you would like to share with others?
Please submit ideas to sking@ksde.org to be showcased next month.
When Students Are so Engaged that They Don't Want to Disengage
Miss Shelby Andre is Building Thinking Math Classrooms
7th graders in Miss Andre's classroom at Eisenhower Middle School were exploring the properties of inequalities. They used hints and extensions to discover the content. Here's a short description:
begin by asking a question about prior knowledge: start with low challenge task to ensure learning teams start in flow
then ask a question that is an extension of that prior knowledge: create sequences of tasks that get incrementally more challenging by varying one thing at a time
finally ask students to do something without telling them how: create a parallel sequence of tasks
Do You Want to Learn More About Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics? Check out some opportunities below.
Expected Schedule:
6:00-7:00PM
December 8
Collaboration and Practice Sharing around Toolkit 2 (Chapter 4-6,9)
Give assignment to read Chapters 8, 9, 10
February 2
Discuss Chapters 8,9,10
Implementation of Toolkit 1 and 2, 3
February 23
Collaboration and Practice Sharing around Toolkit 3 (Chapters 8,9,10)
Give assignment to read Chapter 7 and 11
March 23
Discuss Chapters 7 and 11
April 13
Collaboration and Practice Sharing around Chapters 7 and 11
Reflection
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Past Meetings:
October 6, 2022
Discuss Toolkit 1 (Chapters 1-3)
October 27
Collaboration and Practice Sharing around Toolkit 1 (Chapter 1-3)
Give assignment to read Chapters 4-6
November 17
Discuss Toolkit 2 (Chapter 4-6, Intro to 9)
Collaborate
Put together resources
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OFFICE HOURS are available every Thursday from 6:00 to 7:00PM outside of the Practice Sharing Sessions. Register for our Office Hours here to get additional support!
Regional Professional Development Communities
In this regional PLC, we will offer teachers an opportunity to explore how engaging in rich math tasks can reach every student. Participants will learn how thinking tasks connect with their content and how to transform everyday questions into high-quality math problems. The morning will focus on the benefits and transforming tasks. The afternoon will focus on finding resources, networking, and applying practices for your content. Come join us and T.H.I.N.K. - Transformative Tasks, High-Impact Practices, Instruction, Networking, Kid-Focused!
Region 1
Region 2
Northwest Kansas Educational Service Center
(Click for Location)
8:30AM-3:30PM
February 9, 2023
Region 3
ESSDACK Regional Service Center
(Click for Location)
8:30AM-3:30PM
February 3, 2023
Region 4
Region 5
Nominate a 7-12 grade math teacher for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching!
It takes 2 minutes and changes lives! Need support? Click here to register for our support series.
More information can be found on the Kansas MTSS Alignment Math Repository website.
Click here to access the site.
Math Teaching Tools & Practices
5 Ways to Stop Thinking for Your Students
Too often math students lean on teachers to think for them, but there are some simple ways to guide them to think for themselves.
12/5-12/11 is Computer Science Ed Week
Computer Science Education Week is an annual call to action to inspire K-12 students to learn computer science, advocate for equity, and celebrate contributions of students, teachers, and parents to the field.
Elementary Tools & Practices
Click the arrow on the right to access information for elementary teachers and classrooms.
Click the arrow on the right to access information for elementary teachers and classrooms.
Rules that Expire in Elementary Math Classroom
"Overgeneralizing commonly accepted strategies, using imprecise vocabulary, and relying on tips and tricks that do not promote conceptual understanding can lead to misunderstanding late in students' math careers." -Karp, Bush, Dougherty
Here are the 13 Rules that Expires in Elementary Math Classrooms.
Greg Tang Math
Tang Math provides many resources: books, games, problem generators etc. Greg Tang works with some of the highest performing and most improving schools and districts in the country. He is the NY Times best-selling author of The Grapes of Math, gold medal eBook Math Appeal, and 6 other books from Scholastic.
Mathematics Vocabulary Cards
Mathematics Vocabulary Cards contains math vocabulary cards for Kindergarten through 8th Grade and Secondary 1 Mathematics. These cards can also be found in Spanish, Chinese, and French under the Dual Immersion menu. Portuguese, German, and Russian vocabulary cards are located at the following website: USOE Dual Immersion Vocabulary Cards
Inside Mathematics
The Inside Mathematics Problem Solving problems are non-routine math problems designed to promote problem-solving in your classroom. Each problem is divided into five levels of difficulty to allow access and scaffolding for students into different aspects of the problem and to stretch students to go deeper into mathematics complexity.
Slides and Jamboard Template
Have you seen Mrs. Park Shine's freebies? Run and check out her amazing slides and Jamboard templates.
K-5 Math
K-5 Math great site that contains K-5 teaching resources. Their mission is to transform the teaching and learning of mathematics, improving outcomes for all students in elementary and middle school.
Open Middle Tasks
Real World Tasks: Have you used Robert Kaplinsky's Open Middle Tasks and Real-World Problems? Great resources of math tasks that promote problem solving and reasoning.
Geogebra + Illustrative Mathematics
Do you use Illustrative Mathematics to supplement lessons ad GeoGebra as a tool? Access free Illustrative Math in GeoGebra now!
Secondary Tools & Practices
Click the arrow on the right to access information for elementary teachers and classrooms.
Click the arrow on the right to access information for elementary teachers and classrooms.
Rules that Expire in Middle School Math Classroom
"Overgeneralizing commonly accepted strategies, using imprecise vocabulary, and relying on tips and tricks that do not promote conceptual understanding can lead to misunderstanding late in students' math careers." -Karp, Bush, Dougherty
Here are the 12 Rules that Expires in Middle School Math Classrooms.
Rules that Expire in High School Math Classroom
"Overgeneralizing commonly accepted strategies, using imprecise vocabulary, and relying on tips and tricks that do not promote conceptual understanding can lead to misunderstanding late in students' math careers." -Karp, Bush, Dougherty
Here are the 15 Rules that Expires in High School Math Classrooms.
Dan Meyer's Three-Act Math
This site is a spreadsheet with links to approximately 60 lessons that each linked to one or more grade 6 through high school Common Core Math Standards and one or more Standards for Mathematical Practice.
Online Calculator Apps
Desmos Graphing Calculator - Graph functions, plot data, evaluate equations, explore transformations, and much more – for free! Also available as an app on Google Play and Apple App Store
Calculate84 - a graphing calculators for iPhones
CALC 84 - a graphing calculator 83/84
Wabbitemu - creates a Texas Instruments graphing calculator right on your Windows, Mac, or Android device.
Inside Mathematics
The Inside Mathematics Problem Solving problems are non-routine math problems designed to promote problem-solving in your classroom. Each problem is divided into five levels of difficulty to allow access and scaffolding for students into different aspects of the problem and to stretch students to go deeper into mathematics complexity.
Desmos Classroom Activities
Access digital math activities that engage students into problem solving, thinking and reasoning. Premade Desmos activities are available but teachers can create their own.
Open Middle Tasks
Real World Tasks: Have you used Robert Kaplinsky's Open Middle Tasks and Real-World Problems? Great resources of math tasks that promote problem solving and reasoning.
Geogebra + Illustrative Mathematics
Do you use Illustrative Mathematics to supplement lessons ad GeoGebra as a tool? Access free Illustrative Math in GeoGebra now!
Additional Opportunities from Outside KSDE
KATM Annual Conference
Annual AMTE Conference
The Annual AMTE Conference provides inclusive opportunities for a diverse community of mathematics educators to share current research and practice findings.
Learn more about the conference here.
Grassroot Math Workshop
Do you enjoy Marian Small's (@marian_small) Open Questions? She takes a traditional problem and opens up parts that lead to interesting explorations and math conversations.
Do you want to learn more about it? She's got an online workshop about creating & using open questions: https://grassrootsworkshops.com/workshops/how-to-create-and-use-open-questions-in-math-class
TÂł Regional Summits
Each regional summit offers a variety of interactive sessions, and you can select those that interest you the most.
Participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance, which may be accepted for school or district continuing education credit.
First Educational Resources: "Help! They Don't Know Their Facts!" Moving beyond Memorization by Developing Fact Fluency
Have you ever wondered why students don’t know their basic facts? We have all had that thought, “if they just knew their facts…” So, what if they did know their facts, and it was built by constructing relationships with numbers and by using models and strategies that promote conceptual understanding? In this 90 minute virtual session, we will explore the difference between fluency and memorization, barriers, and how to build fact fluency through conceptual understanding and developing students’ number sense.
Shelly Daun and Amanda Ironside have many years of experience working with teachers to successfully meet the diverse mathematical needs of their students by providing teachers with increased knowledge of how students learn math and what teachers can do to move their students along a continuum of deeper understanding. Click here to learn more about the it.
First Educational Resources: Leveraging Small Group Instruction
Small group instruction allows teachers to understand their student’s instructional strengths and areas of need. This allows teachers to tailor lessons that meet students where they are along their journey of learning and understanding mathematical concepts. Individualized attention towards students boosts confidence and provides an environment where students feel comfortable with risk-taking, asking questions and receiving feedback to their learning. This series will provide teachers with many tools to build their “tool box” to meet the needs of the diverse learners in their classrooms through small group instruction.
Shelly Daun and Amanda Ironside have many years of experience working with teachers to successfully meet the diverse mathematical needs of their students by providing teachers with increased knowledge of how students learn math and what teachers can do to move their students along a continuum of deeper understanding. During this series, Amanda and Shelly will share practical small group instructional tools and activities that teachers can use instantly in their classroom to leverage student success and conceptual understanding of various mathematical concepts. Click here to register.
First Educational Resources: Productive Struggle: Strategies and Tasks for Promoting Perseverance in Your Mathematics Classroom
In this 90-minute session, participants will explore the meaning of productive struggle and how it encourages risk-taking in the classroom. We will learn the importance of valuing perseverance, how mental stamina can be built through problem solving and how identifying multiple entry points to a task increases engagement and helps identify and maximize potential. In this session, we will investigate strategies and tasks that provide students with the appropriate level of challenge from a mathematics lens. Register here.
NCTM Webinar Library
Did you know that the National Council of Teaching Mathematics has a webinar library on recent shifts in Math Teaching practice? Check out their topics here.
Grow Your PLN!
Math Education Organizations
Kansas Association of Teachers of Mathematics (KATM)
KATM is an affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics whose mission is to foster engaged community to advance effective practices in teaching and learning mathematics throughout Kansas.
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
NCTM advocates for high-quality mathematics teaching and learning for each and every student.
Its Strategic Framework includes Teaching and Learning, Access, Equity and Empowerment, Building Member Value, and Advocacy.
NCSM Leadership in Education
NCSM is the premiere mathematics education leadership organization. Our bold leadership in the mathematics education community develops vision, ensures support, and guarantees that all students engage in equitable, high-quality mathematical experiences that lead to powerful, flexible uses of mathematical understanding to affect their lives and to improve the world.
Twitter
KSDE Teacher Leader
They are amazing tools for personalized professional learning and great communities to network with other educators and leaders. Check out @KSDETCHRLEADERS and @KATMWebmaster on twitter and Kansas Association of Teachers of Mathematics on Facebook. #KSMath
Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics
Want to network with other math educators and leaders about Building Thinking Classrooms? Follow Dr. Peter Liljedahl, the author of BTC in mathematics, and you'll find tons of math educators and leaders to collaborate with.
Another great BTC resource is the BTC Facebook page where teachers share tips, ideas, success stories, and ways to address some challenges and struggles.
Podcasts
Making Math Moments that Matter
Looking for a good math podcast? Wondering how to create a classroom culture where students don't want to stop exploring mathematics when the bell rings? Kyle Pearce from TapIntoTeenMinds.com and Jon Orr from MrOrr-IsAGeek.com team up to uncover how we can Make Math Moments That Matter for every student in the math classroom from Kindergarten through Grade 12. Discover how you can build easy to plan and fun to deliver maths lessons that kids will not only love but also learn from using the Making Math Moments That Matter 3-Part Framework.
The Build Math Minds
The Build Math Minds podcast is for my fellow Recovering Traditionalists out there. We are math educators who used to teach math the traditional way. Flip lesson by lesson in the textbook, directly teaching step-by-step how to solve math problems.
But now, we are working to change that to a style of teaching math that is fun and meets our students where they are at, not just teaching what comes next in the textbook. We want to encourage our students to be thinkers, problem solvers, and lovers of mathematics.
Shake Up Learning
WHAT: The Shake Up Learning Show is a weekly podcast hosted by Kasey Bell.
The show features a variety of episodes for K12 teachers and educators, including tech tips, lesson ideas, practical advice, on-air coaching, student interviews, and interviews with inspiring educators.
WHEN: New episodes are released every Tuesday.
HOW: Listen on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, iHeart, or any of your other favorite podcatchers. You can also stream on ShakeUpLearning.com.