#INspirEDmath
December 2019, Volume 16
"The Most Powerful Student Motivator is Curiosity."
Problem of the Month
Secondary Problem of the Month
Joel and Marisa are running for president at their middle school (grades 6-8). After the votes are in, Joel and Marisa are each convinced that they have won the election:
- Joel argues that he has won a larger percentage of the overall vote than Marisa so he should be the new president.
- Marisa argues that she has won a larger percentage than Joel of the 6th grade vote and the 7th grade vote. Since the majority of the grades voted for her, she should be the new president.
Is it possible that both Joel and Marisa are making accurate claims? Explain.
Find the solution to this task here.
Elementary Problem of the Month
The Indiana Process Standards for Math
1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
4. Model with mathematics.
5. Use appropriate tools strategically.
6. Attend to precision.
7. Look for and make use of structure.
8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.
More Than Adding "Explain Your Answer"
Here are a few more skills we can support our students with:
- Use prior results to develop arguments
- Provide counterexamples
- Justify conclusions
- Identify and explain errors in arguments
- Using questions to clarify the reasoning
- Comparing multiple arguments
- Effective communication
Your Questions Matter
- Tell me what your answer means.
- How do you know your answer is correct?
- If I told you I think the answer should be [offer a wrong answer], how would you explain to me why I am incorrect?
- Which of the following arguments do you believe is correct or most effective?
Implementing in the Classroom
1. Re-voice
"So you're saying that it's an odd number?"
This talk move allows teachers and students to interact with a student who may be unclear.
2. Restate
"Can you repeat what he/she said in your own words?"
This talk move will extend the responsibility to all students in the classroom. We can teach them the significance of learning from one another.
3. Agree/Disagree
"Do you agree or disagree and why?"
This talk move encourages students to apply their own reasoning to someone else and pushes students to support their ideas with evidence.
4. Add On
"What can you add to this idea?"
This talk move increases conversations amongst students and goes beyond the agree/disagree discussion.
5. Wait Time
(10 seconds) It's longer than you think!
This talk move is all about giving every student the chance to think about their ideas and apply them.
For more information click here.
For student talk moves click here.
Resources to Support Our Students in Critiqueing the Reasoning of Others
Always, Sometimes, Never
Step 1: Choose a topic.
Step 2: Have students categorize statements as always true, sometimes true, or never true.
Step 3: Students must justify/defend their work using examples and explanations.
Expii Solve Puzzles
Click here to challenge your students!
Illustrative Mathematics
Click here to find illustrations for each grade level.
Opportunities for the Field
FREE #INspirEDmath Book Study!
We will be exploring best-selling author Jo Boaler’s Limitless Mind: Learn, Lead, and Live without Barriers and its impact on teaching and learning. IDOE’s math specialists have planned interactive and engaging discussions with opportunities to stretch your boundaries and apply your learning.
We will meet virtually for eight weeks. All participants are responsible for purchasing the book. New reading and reflections will be posted every other week in a self-paced format (see dates below). Our final meeting will be an in-person workshop to allow for deeper discussion surrounding ties to personal and professional experiences and implications for teaching and learning. Participants will earn 10 PGPs for full participation and attendance at the final meeting.
- January 9
- January 23
- February 6
- February 20
- March 5 - In-person workshop - Innovation Center - Greenwood, IN - 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. ET
Spring Analytical Algebra II Learning and Collaboration
Join Robin Conti from IDOE for a full day of PD surrounding the new Analytical Algebra II course. Participants will:
- Participate in model lessons
- Discuss resources/strategies
- Develop activities collaboratively
- Continue to build out community
Click on one of the dates below for registration and details!
February 3 - Jasper, IN
February 11 - Warsaw, IN
February 12 - Indianapolis, IN
Fifth-Annual Indiana STEM Education Conference
The cost for the registration is $95 if you register by Friday, December 20, and $110 if you register after December 20. The conference is an opportunity for STEM teachers and STEM schools to present effective lessons, policies, partnerships, assessments, and STEM education strategies. Register here.
New Experiences for Instructors of Dual Enrollment (NExIDE) Scholarship Program
Click here for more information and access to the application!
Indiana's Second Annual Educating the Whole Child Summit
Registration can be found here. Please note that if you are having one person register a group of people for your district, they will have to submit separate registrations by leaving and re-entering registration.
Highlights from just a few of the keynote speakers:
Click here for the Handle with Care presentation
Blocks of rooms have been secured at the Marriott East for $129/night. For your planning purposes, please know each day will begin with breakfast/registration beginning at 7:30 a.m. Day one, February 19, will begin with a speaker at 9:00 a.m. and Day two, February 20, will begin at 8:30 a.m. Both days will end at 4:00 p.m.
Questions should be directed to Christy Gauss at jcgauss@indiana.edu.
Save the Date
Upcoming Chats:
January 8, 2020 - English Language Learners
January 15, 2020 - Role of an Instructional Leader for Principals
January 22, 2020 - Is Math Big, Hairy, and Scary? Debunking Mathematical Myths
Twitter 101
New to Twitter?
Check out this article to learn more.
New to Chats?
Want to collaborate, share ideas, and problem-solve with your peers?
Want to start curating a toolbox of resources?
Check out this resource to join the conversation!
Ready for More?
For planning help, check this out!
News From Assessmet
The Office of Student Assessment has released a consolidated list of which standards in grades 6, 7, and 8 will be assessed during the non-calculator section of the ILEARN assessment. This designation is based on a determination by educators that calculator usage on items written to these standards would inhibit the ability to assess the focal aspect of the mathematical construct.
https://www.doe.in.gov/sites/default/files/assessment/ilearn-noncalcstandards.pdf
Beginning with the Winter 2019 Retest, the ISTEP+ assessment will be delivered in the same online system that is used for ILEARN and I AM. For online test sessions that allow calculator use, students may use the online Desmos graphing calculator or a handheld calculator. For paper test sessions that allow calculator use, students may use a handheld calculator.
TAs must oversee the use of the handheld calculator to ensure use only during appropriate test segments. Misuse of a calculator may result in a test invalidation for an assessment needed by a student to fulfill graduation requirements. Handheld calculators must meet the functionality requirements, as outlined in the full Calculator Policy:
https://www.doe.in.gov/sites/default/files/assessment/calculator-policy2019-2020-final.pdfMath Educator Spotlight
Kristina Miller - South Adams High School
Nominated by: Stephanie Shane
School Corporation: South Adams Schools
Catchphrase: "Ladies and gentleman can I have your attention."
Your IDOE Mathematics Team
Robin Conti
Email: rconti@doe.in.gov
Website: doe.in.gov
Location: Indiana Department of Education
Phone: (317)-233-6098
Twitter: @RobinLConti
Emily Bruning
Email: ebruning@doe.in.gov
Website: doe.in.gov
Location: Indiana Department of Education, West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN, USA
Phone: (317)-232-9142
Twitter: @MrsBruning