Program Manager's Message:
Welcome back from what was hopefully a restful break, followed for many of us by an exceptionally hectic week!
I always love the first week back after break. I remember way back when we had semester break after winter break, which meant sitting there with all your books at home while the family sat around celebrating Christmas/Yule/Hanukkah/whatever holiday, wishing they would study themselves. Now, most of us finish the semester off and then send kids home for a nice long break to forget everything enjoy some restful time with family and friends over the holidays.
Our TLC team is developing some exciting stuff for this semester and the summer! We have some Professional Learning Community (PLC) events set up pretty soon -- look below for all registration links but one, and watch for that link in your email soon. We're trying to do these regionally to foster more in-person discussion of some important math delivery and content topics.
If you're looking for something to celebrate this month related to math, consider January 27th, Lewis Carroll's birthday! You've probably heard of Alice and her Adventures in Wonderland, written by Lewis Carroll. You may not, however, have heard of Charles Dodgson, a mathematician and maths professor in Oxford.
They were the same person. Some say that Alice's adventures presented Dodgson, a conservative mathematician, a chance to express his views on what at the time were radical new ideas in math -- like that weird "imaginary numbers" thing -- weird, at least, at the time.
Enjoy your explorations with your students this month, and this semester!
Stephen
Jan. 4 - Happy Birthday Sir Isaac Newton!
Upcoming Professional Development
Collaboration Meetings
Do you want to network with other math teachers across the state? What about an opportunity to share questions you have for KSDE? Do you want to brainstorm ideas on implementing effective teaching practices? Then join our monthly collaboration meetings.
Math Curriculum Leaders Collaboration
January 24, 3pm (Zoom Registration Link)Math Teacher Collaboration
January 24, 4pm (Zoom Registration Link)
If you're interested, please contact KSDE's Math Program Manager, Dr. Stephen King.
Call for Field Educators
Do you want to make an impact in math education across the state of Kansas?
Join the KSDE Teacher Leader Program as a Math Field Educator. The vision for the KSDE Teacher Leader Program is to provide content and pedagogical expertise in standards and assessments and to deliver high-quality, dynamic professional development that incorporates practicable educational advances.
Provide high-quality and dynamic professional development.
Facilitate and provide review feedback that is authentic, constructive, and actionable.
Create authentic and constructive products to strengthen best practices within the discipline.
Elevate, empower, and train teachers within the professional education community.
Promote the education profession.
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.
Because Two Districts are Better than One
A Mystery Number activity between two classrooms from two districts!
Fourth graders from Mr. Todd Flory's class at Wheatland Elementary School, Andover USD 385, played a Mystery Number activity with 4th graders from Mr. Jason Ramey's class at Maize Elementary School, Maize USD 266. For the Mystery Number activity, each class had a three-digit number that the other class had to figure out using mathematical language and questions. Each class took turns asking yes and no questions to the other class in order to narrow down and determine their partner class' number. Students worked on mathematical concepts such as place value, prime and composite numbers, and even/odd numbers. This activity can be used with other types of numbers, such as with fractions and decimals. Students enjoyed reviewing mathematical concepts in a real-world situation with peers from another district.
Expected Schedule:
6:00-7:00PM
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
December 8
Collaboration and Practice Sharing around Toolkit 2 (Chapter 4-6,9)
Give assignment to read Chapters 8, 9, 10
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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!
Title: Getting Kids to T.H.I.N.K. in Math
(Transformative Tasks, High-Impact Practices, Instruction, Networking, Kid-Focused)
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!
Southeast KS
Northwest KS
Northwest Kansas Educational Service Center
(Click for Location)
8:30AM-2:30PM
February 9, 2023
South Central KS
Southwest KS
Southwest Plains Regional Service Center
8:30AM-2:30PM
January 31, 2023
North Central KS
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.
Do you have a heart for teaching mathematics and want to share with educators across Kansas? Consider presenting at the 2023 KATM Conference. Submit your conference session proposal by February 5, 2023
KATM Corner
Math Teaching Tools & Practices
Show Your Work! Arg!
"Do I have to show my work?" How many times do you get asked that question? EVERYDAY, right? How can we help our students not only just show their work, but show their thinking using strategies and models? Many of your students will want to do the minimal amount of work to meet the objectives of the lesson goal which is why they don't want to share their thinking.
But often times students don't know how to showcase their complex and unique thinking strategies. We can best help showcase their thinking by giving a "model with legs" and flexible strategies they can use alongside that model
For example, when students solve this proportional reasoning problem without being introduced a flexible model they often try to figure out what rule, strategy, and procedure to use and get tripped up on how to show that on paper. Showcasing models with your students is a skill you can learn.
Throwback: Let's Talk About Math Rules that Expire
Overgeneralizing commonly accepted strategies, using imprecise vocabulary, and relying on tips and tricks that do not promote conceptual mathematical understanding can lead to misunderstanding later in students’ math careers. Check out these two articles published a few back that explain some math rules that expire.
13 Rules That Expire | 12 Math Rules that Expire in the Middle School
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
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
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.
T³ 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 Organization
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.