Math Newsletter - September 2023
Riverview IU6 - Ben Brobst - bbrobst@riu6.org
Resource Spotlight
Splat!
Splat! is an interactive number sense strategy that is accessible to all students, that can be used to develop a visual approach to solving equations. The materials and routine were developed by Steven Wyborney and include over 50 lessons with already-made slides using single splats, multiple splats, and even fractions.
Watch the video linked here to get started on using this powerful number sense routine!
The basic routine starts with a dot talk where students count a series of dots and then share their counting strategies. How many dots are in the picture below, and how did you count them?
Once we know the total number of dots, a splat covers some of the dots and the questions are “How many dots are under the Splat?” and “How do you know?”
The power of SPLAT! is that it has students solving equations. With the SPLAT! above, you just solved x + 3 = 9. One students are familiar with the routine, you can introduce other algebraic concepts, including multiple splats!
Desmos Polygraph Collections
Polygraph is a partnered guessing game (think "Guess Who, but with graphs!), designed to foster the pleasure and power of words, and develop informal language into formal vocabulary. Each round, players are matched into pairs, and assigned ‘Picker’ and ‘Guesser’ roles. The Picker selects a card; the Guesser asks yes/no questions for the Picker to answer in order to narrow the field of cards down to one.
Click here for the Teacher's Guide on how to facilitate Polygraph activities.
Professional Learning Opportunities
Fall 2023 Virtual Book Study - Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics
- Self-Paced Virtual Book Study - Fall 2023
- In-Person Book Study Session at RIU6 - Thursday, October 26 from 8am to 3pm
Math Coaching Endorsement Program
Penn State Harrisburg's Mathematics Coaching Endorsement program is the premier program dedicated to preparing grades K-12 educators to be leaders in their schools and promote mathematical instruction that targets the diverse learners in classrooms. The Math Coaching Endorsement Program is asynchronous so you can complete the modules at your own pace and convenience.
Graduate credit applies. The courses can also apply to the Master of Education in Teaching and Curriculum. For more information, contact Dr. Jane Wilburne (jmw41@psu.edu)
Free Virtual Math Conference!
Dates: September 12, 19, 26, 2023 | 12:00-5:30 PM ET
More than 100 of the nation’s teachers, administrators, researchers, and policy makers will convene to share leading research and effective strategies to engage and inspire students, and to address the gaps in learning made worse by the pandemic.
Leading experts will discuss the latest scholarship on strategies for mathematics instruction and academic interventions; highlight solutions rooted in research and successful classroom practices; and explore emerging resources.
The Summit will address six themes across Pre-K–3, 4–8, and 9–12 grade-level spans:
- Increasing Opportunities to Learn and Raising Expectations for All
- Strategies for Differentiating Instruction for Diverse Learners
- High-Dosage Tutoring and Other Academic Recovery Strategies
- Learning Progressions and High School Pathways
- Language and Mathematics
- Leveraging STEAM Applications for In-Demand Careers
For more information and to register: IES Math Summit (socio.events)
What's Ben Reading?
All students face struggle, and they should―it is how they learn and grow. The teacher’s job is not to remove struggle, but rather to value and harness it, helping students develop good habits of productive struggle. But what’s missing for many educators is an action plan for how to achieve this, especially when it comes to math. This book guides teachers through six specific actions―including valuing, fostering, building, planning, supporting, and reflecting on struggle―to create a game plan for overcoming obstacles by sharing:
- Actionable steps, activities, and tools for implementation
- Instructional tasks representative of each grade level
- Real-world examples showcasing classroom photos and student work
Please encourage teachers and administrators at all grade levels with an interest in math to sign up to receive updates.