Breakout Session 1
10:50-11:35 AM
Making Sense of Proportions, Rates, and Variation with Drawings and Tables (Angela, Room # 242)
Middle Level, 6-8, Instructional Coaches, Strategists, Counselors, Upper Elementary
The presenter will demonstrate how to model and solve proportion and variation problems using drawings and tables. Participants will learn how students explore direct and inverse variation problems by reasoning with multiplication and division and without the need for algebraic equations. Teachers who incorporate such tables in their instruction may guide students to observe covariation, identify unit rates, solve problems, and develop equations grounded in their reasoning about the varying quantities. Participants will engage with several examples of direct and inverse variation and discuss the advantages of introducing students to covariation concepts and tables as means for making sense of and solving covariation problems.
Kagan Structures That You Can Use Tomorrow (John, Room # 243)
Middle Level, 6-8, High School, 9-12
Many math teachers find implementing true student-centered activities difficult in a traditional classroom. KAGAN structures are designed to help students become more involved in real mathematical discourse, help them become more comfortable working with different people to solve problems, and learn how that can lead to teamwork in the classroom. These structures can work with any classroom and any schedule.
Using Algebra Tiles to Build Conceptual Understanding of Expressions and Equations (Laura, Room # 332)
Middle Level, 6-8
Participants will practice problems they can use with students to build a conceptual understanding of simplifying algebraic expressions and solving equations. Algebra tiles are used to combine like terms, compare expressions, and solve equations. Participants will benefit from practicing the problems in teams while experiencing a student-centered classroom.
How Teachers Use the FastBridge Group Growth Report to Adjust Instruction (Carrie, Room # 343)
Pre-K and/or Elementary, PK-6, Middle Level, 6-8, High School, 9-12, University Level, Professors/Student Teachers, Administration (Principals), Instructional Coaches
Are you looking to enhance your understanding of student growth data to evaluate the impact of your core instruction? As instructors implement evidence-based math practices, student growth data can guide instructional decision-making. In addition to analyzing tiered screening reports, it is beneficial to examine individual student growth data in order to celebrate aggressive growth, heighten awareness of students falling under the radar, intensify current intervention supports, and analyze roadblocks prohibiting student success. Participants will engage with mock math screening data using the FastBridge Group Growth Report and reflect upon the impact of current core math practices as they directly relate to individual student growth. Lastly, participants will explore intensification strategies to implement for individual students in their core classrooms.
Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics (Cherryl, Room # 344)
Pre-K and/or Elementary, PK-6, Middle Level, 6-8, High School, 9-12, University Level, Professors/Student Teachers
In this workshop, participants will experience some of the practices that emerged from over 15 years of research into how teachers can transform their classrooms from a space where students mimic to where students think. The practices discussed will intertwine with, and make extensive references to, the recently published book, Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics (Grades K-12): 14 Teaching Practices for Enhancing Learning.
Transform Math Textbooks Questions into Tasks that Promote Reasoning and Problem Solving (Jolene, Room # 118)
Pre-K and/or Elementary, PK-6, Middle Level, 6-8, High School, 9-12, University Level, Professors/Student Teachers, Instructional Coaches, Strategists, Counselors
Have you ever had students who simply look at the numbers in a word problem and spit out every possible solution involving every mathematical operation and the numbers? In this session, educators will learn how to transform typical math textbook problems into meaningful tasks that get students thinking and sense-making!
Facilitating Number Talks to Develop Fluency (Sara, Room # 222)
Pre-K and/or Elementary, PK-6, Middle Level, 6-8, High School, 9-12, University Level, Professors/Student Teachers, Administration (Principals), Instructional Coaches, Strategists, Counselors
Mathematical fluency in elementary, middle, and high school classrooms is a must. Developing fluency through games, number sense, mental math, and practice with numbers is imperative. Using a growth mindset to facilitate student Number Talks is a great way to accomplish fluency. Number Talks will range from kindergarten through high school. Participants will walk away with an understanding of Number Talks and how to implement these in their classroom.
Number Talks: The Bridge to Real-World Mathematics (Amanda, Room # 222)
Pre-K and/or Elementary, PK-6
Do you want your students to be flexible and confident in their computation skills? This session will help promote numerical reasoning and mathematically powerful students. Number Talks will equip you with the tools needed to develop mathematical dispositions in your students. You will be shown how it supports the Common Core Standards and ties directly to the Standards for Mathematical Practice. You will be provided with real classroom examples of Number Talks in action and also be given the chance to discuss these ideas and practice leading Number Talks with your peers. This session will give you the what and the why behind Number Talks and provide you with ideas on how to start implementing it with your students right away.
From an Interdisciplinary Perspective: Using Students’ Interests as a Wheel to Drive Mathematics Learning (Weichen, Room # 122)
Pre-K and/or Elementary, PK-6, University Level, Professors/Student Teachers
Many studies have shown mathematics is one of the most difficult subjects for preservice teachers to comprehend (Bates et al., 2018). Their hesitation to practice in the classrooms may be due to prior learning experiences and a lack of subject matter knowledge. Supporting preservice teachers in finding an engaging and meaningful way to deliver mathematics content is crucial. The interdisciplinary approach will provide preservice teachers with a fresh viewpoint on teaching mathematics since they may apply their pedagogical expertise and conceptual grasp of mathematics in a broader context. This presentation will demonstrate an engaging, interdisciplinary math lesson to children at lower elementary levels. The presenter will utilize digital technologies, hands-on manipulatives, and interdisciplinary activities to accommodate the various needs of learners.
Breaking Down Readability Barriers in Mathematics (Crystal, Room # 330)
Pre-K and/or Elementary, PK-6, Instructional Coaches, Strategists, Counselors
A student’s relationship to math should not be dictated by their relationship to reading. We envision all students seeing themselves as mathematicians and independently engaging with math text. By using readability and accessibility tools, educators can re-center the cognitive load squarely on mathematics and empower students to embrace the challenge of every problem. This session analyzes the barriers present in math texts for students with dyslexia, multilingual learners, students reading below grade level, and emergent readers. Educators will learn techniques to make the text more readable and accessible while maintaining content rigor.
Number Lines 101: The Fundamentals (Elizabeth, Room # 129)
Pre-K and/or Elementary, PK-6
Number lines are a lovely sense-making model from early elementary to secondary mathematics. Sometimes construction and understanding are a bit elusive to students and educators! Join us for hands-on learning to build and use this important tool: from whole numbers to fraction computation to double number lines.