SGDSB Math Workshops
Primary and Junior Sessions
Session 1 - The New Math - Building a Balanced Numeracy Program
During this initial workshop teachers will work in small divisional groups to review the resource Teaching and Learning Mathematics - The Report of the Expert Panel to further develop our understanding of what a Balanced Numeracy program looks like. We will develop classroom goals and success criteria to help ensure that our school is providing a balance math program in each classroom. We will compare activities that can be used in specific grades with the goal of developing a rough continuum of balanced learning activities.
http://edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/reports/numeracy/panel/numeracy.pdf
Session 2 - Brain Based Learning - Do you have a growth mindset?
- Students perform better in school when they and their teachers believe that intelligence is not fixed but can be developed
- Teaching students that intelligence can be "grown" is especially powerful for students who belong to stereotyped groups
- Growth mind-sets focus on effort and motivate students to overcome challenging work.
-Carol S. Dweck
This 90 minute presentation will examine research that supports the positive relationship between growth mindset and academic achievement. We will look at classroom resources and activities that will help students to develop a growth mindset and positive attitude towards learning. The workshop will also look at specific stereotypes associated with learning in mathematics and effective strategies that can be used in math class to promote a learning culture.
Session 3 A - Planning with the Big Ideas for primary students.
In this workshop we will explore the big ideas in mathematics and how they connect to the Ontario curriculum. We will look at the resources by Dr. M. Small and focus on how we can use the Big Ideas to effectively teach in the primary grades. Together we will explore practical activities for the primary classroom. As well, we will examine how visual images can be used to consolidate understanding of concepts in mathematics.
Session 3 B - Planning with the big ideas for junior students
In this workshop we will explore the big ideas in mathematics and how they connect to the Ontario curriculum. We will look at the resources by Dr. M. Small and focus on how we can use the Big Ideas to effectively teach in the junior grades. Together we will explore practical activities for the junior classroom. As well, we will examine some of the authentic units created by C. Fosnot that are available to promote effective teaching strategies around the Big Ideas.
Session 4A - Connecting Literature to Mathematics - A Primary Session
Visual images and stories are a powerful way to engage students in learning mathematics. This session will look at how stories, drama and song can be used connect language to mathematics. Specific picture books with lesson plans will be available to explore how to connect language and math effectively. Participants will have time to work collaboratively to develop lesson plans based on specific strands in the Ontario curriculum. Teachers should come prepared to share the big ideas or math concepts that they are working on with their students. As well, teachers are encouraged to bring any resources or books that they have used successfully in prior math classes.
Session 4 B - Connecting Technology in the Junior Math Class
Discover how technology can enhance student learning in math class. This workshop will explore how we can use our Promethean Board as a tool to engage students in math. We will focus on the Math tools available on the Active Inspire program and interactive lesson plans that are available on the web. Teachers are asked to bring their class laptop to enable them to explore the various tools. As well, we will look at different applications available on our school IPADs. Please be prepared to share any tools or apps. that you have used successfully with your students.
Session 5 (All Teachers) - The Importance of Student Interaction
Productive student interaction is a powerful and effective way to engage students in learning and deepen their understanding of mathematical concepts. When knowledge is shared and built collectively there is an exponential growth of understanding. Research tells us that classroom discussions and participation is also related to student achievement. This workshop will look at effective strategies to promote student interaction in math class. The resources used will include Capacity Building Monographs, Talk Move Resources and videos.
“Research tells us that student interaction – through classroom discussion and other forms of interactive participation – is the foundation to deep understanding and related student achievement.” (Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat, January 2007)
Session 5 A - Counting - The Building Blocks in Primary Math
Teaching primary mathematics... make it count. Primary teachers will explore the importance of counting as a foundation to mathematics. We will look at the learning trajectories for counting and early addition and subtraction. Research shows that children's understanding of math in the early years is an indicator of future academic success, so we will look at our new math resources from Doug Clements and develop activities and lesson plans to promote early learning.
Session 5 B - Fractions... A new way to look at numbers for Junior Students
Fractions are a whole new way of looking at numbers. This Junior workshop is designed to look at activities to ensure students have a good understanding of the big ideas around fractions. Teachers will work together to look at the available manipulatives and resources available in our school to consolidate student understanding. Games, entry and exit activities will be shared as well as diagnostics that can be used in the Junior classroom
Session 6 - Differentiated Instruction - What does it look like in math class?
An inclusive math classroom is one where students students feel confident to take risks. They feel confident to share their ideas and accept the ideas of others. Students also view mistakes as opportunities to further their learning. In this workshop we will examine the concept of Universal Design in education. We will examine instructional strategies that promote differentiation of both process and product. We will look at resources that are available to promote student learning in our school and work collaboratively to determine if there are any school goals we need to set to ensure we are meeting the needs of our identified students.
Session 7 (All Teachers) - Assessment - A Balanced Approach
Diagnostic? Formative? Summative? Assessment For..As... Of Learning? This workshop will dig deeper into the 3 key forms of assessment used in mathematics. We will clarify the difference between these types of assessment and explore how each of these assessments can be used to effectively guide instruction and move student thinking forward. We will review primary and junior assessment tools including the ONAP and Prime resources and share examples of assessment tools we use in our own classrooms.
Time to reflect on your learning.
All teachers will be given time at the end of this 2 day workshop to reflect on their learning. Please print and review the feedback form prior to each session and take time to reflect along the way.