For past newsletters, please click on the mathematics tab above. 

Call for Content

Are you doing something amazing in your classroom that you would like to share with others?  Please submit ideas to jhamlet@ksde.org to be showcased next month. 

Meet the KSDE Teacher Leader Consultant Math Team

These individuals are an incredible team of passionate and knowledgeable educators.  They go above and beyond for students daily and their love of mathematics and education is amazing.  KSDE and math educators across Kansas are lucky to have these educators.

The vision for the KSDE Teacher Leader Consultants is to provide content and pedagogical expertise in standards and assessments and to deliver high-quality, dynamic professional development that incorporates practicable educational advances. 

Amber Boyington


My Why?  


Throughout my long career in education, I have had many answers to the question "Why do I teach?"  Each day when I wake up and choose this fulfilling profession, I ask myself "why am I choosing education today?" and the answer helps me anchor my purpose.  Some days it is because I have a deep passion for the content, some days it is because of my commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of my students and some days it is so that I can contribute to a better society that surrounds us.  No matter what my daily "why" is, I teach because I have been fortunate to have had excellent teachers and mentors throughout my life and I am driven to give back to those around me.    

Lara Staker


My Why?


I enjoy finding different ways to help my students to obtain their fullest potential in learning soft skills and mathematics.  Being a part of the KSDE team helps me provide the best researched methods to my teaching and understanding of mathematical pedagogy and progressions.  I am a lifelong learner and enjoy digging into the data.

Todd Flory


My Why?


I believe that quality education is the world's best hope for peace, equality, and justice. I want to engage my students with unique learning experiences that broaden their perspectives, develop their problem-solving skills, build empathy, and help to instill a love of learning where they feel empowered to change the world. 


Jolene Goodheart-Peterson


My Why?


I am an educator so I can be a positive influence in the lives of young people. 

Cherryl Delacruz


My Why?


I have a passion for creating engaging and relevant learning experiences, integrating technology, providing a safe learning environment, engaging parents and families, and building positive relationships with stakeholders so students will become lifelong learners and contribute to society.


Dyscalculia Corner

What is Dyscalculia?

What are the early signs?

What are some accommodations to help with Dyscalculia?


Monthly Math Minutes Dyscalculia PowerPoint


Standards/Assessments

UPDATES

KSDE will not be making any changes to the Kansas Math Standards at this time.  The Kansas Math Summative Assessment has already been written and will be released for the spring of 2025, so making any changes would not allow the assessment to stay aligned with our current standards.  The resource sheet will remain the same for the 23-24 school year but will be updated when the new Summative Assessment is released.   At this time, 3rd-7th grades have three interim assessments, 10th grade does not have any, and 8th grade only has two. Starting the 24-25 school year, there will only be two interim assessments for the different grade levels, including 10th grade. This school year, 8th grade will have a third Predictive Interim Assessment window in the spring, but it will be the same Interim Assessment given in the winter session.  It will not be a new or different assessment. 

RESOURCES

There are some great resources available to assist teachers for preparing the students for the Summative Assessment. There is the Predictive Interim formative assessment given this year three different times.  Interim predictive assessments are intended to be given more frequently than summative and are referred to as benchmark, diagnostic, and/or predictive. Periodic predictive assessment allows educators to evaluate students’ knowledge and skills relative to a specific set of  academic goals and are designed to inform decisions both at the classroom level and beyond, such as at the school or district level.  Before interim tests are automatically assigned (predictive) or manually assigned (instructional), a district must submit a TASC record through KIDS. This creates or modifies a “roster” in Educator Portal (EP) connecting teachers to students. Interim test sessions are 45-60 minutes.  The student report is available immediately after the student finishes the assessment, but the building/district report isn't available until the window session closes.  The interim test windows are as follows: 


Another great resource to utilize is the Instructional Interims which are usually referred to as the mini tests.  The mini tests are designed to be used frequently during instruction throughout the school year (early-September through May) to provide feedback to help students, evaluate students’ learning, and aid teachers in adjusting instruction. IInstructional Interim (Mini-Tests) will be available through the end of the year as long as the tests are assigned to the students in Educator Portal.  Click below for the manual for the Interim predictive and mini tests. 


Interim Guide for educators




Math facts you might not know! 


Multiplying ones always gives you palindromic numbers.

If you multiply 111,111,111 × 111,111,111 you get 12,345,678,987,654,321 - a palindrome number that reads the same forwards or backwards. And that works all the way back down to 11 x 11 (121) or just 1 x 1 (1).


Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching





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

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are the highest honors bestowed by the United States government specifically for K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teaching. The Awards were established by Congress in 1983. The President may recognize a total of 110 exemplary teachers each year.

Awards are given to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teachers from each of the 50 states, the Department of Defense Education Activity schools, and the U.S. Jurisdictions of the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The award recognizes those teachers that have both deep content knowledge of the subjects they teach and the ability to motivate and enable students to be successful in those areas. Since the program's inception, more than 5,200 teachers have been recognized for their contributions in the classroom and to their profession.

Awardees reflect the expertise and dedication of the Nation's teaching corps, and they demonstrate the positive impact of excellent teachers on student achievement. The National Science Foundation administers PAEMST on behalf of The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Learn More

Upcoming Professional Development

 Monthly Math Minutes 

Please join us for our monthly professional development from the KSDE math team.  Every month we will have mathematics updates from the state, professional development opportunities, and a topic of the month.  We would love to have any teachers, curriculum leaders, and administration join us!  The zoom link is below.

https://ksde.zoom.us/j/88043941824



What is the Kansas Math Project?

We believe that every math teacher in Kansas should have a strong understanding of evidence-based teaching strategies, and that all teachers of math should have an equally strong understanding of math content. The Kansas Math Project has been developed to precisely attend to each of these beliefs through a systematic framework of modules geared for teachers and administrators. Modules will be delivered both in-person and asynchronously to develop the math practitioner's aptitude to use the language of mathematics, integrate modeling and practice, and incorporate mathematics concepts and procedures that build students' fluency within the four operations, and their ability to set-up and solve text-based problems.  In addition, the project will expand each teacher's scope of content knowledge along the progression of standards from PreK to Algebra 2.


Math Teaching Tools & Practices

NCTM Position in Procedural Fluency

"Procedural fluency is an essential component of equitable teaching and is necessary to developing mathematical proficiency and mathematical agency. Each and every student must have access to teaching that connects concepts to procedures, explicitly develops a reasonable repertoire of strategies and algorithms, provides substantial opportunities for students to learn to choose from among the strategies and algorithms in their repertoire, and implements assessment practices that attend to all components of fluency."

Strategies to Enhance Student Engagement

This webinar session will begin by exploring specific strategies to engage students in learning mathematics. Then, mathematical tasks in different content areas, which are designed to provide opportunities for rich discourse and student engagement, will be shared. Applications to the classroom will be discussed. 

Supporting Mathematics Teachers to Use Authentic Tasks in Their Classrooms

This is a webinar that presents examples of authentic tasks that have been developed in the context of European projects with a focus on the mathematical processes and practices that can be developed through these tasks.  They also provide a short review of the research literature of the different types of authentic tasks and of the ways of managing these tasks in the classroom focusing on the modeling process and emphasizing the processes involved in students’ work as well as the complex relationship between reality and mathematics.  Finally, issues related to our work with teachers while designing and implementing authentic tasks will be addressed.

Elementary Tools & Practices
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.

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

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.

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.