More than Just the Basic Facts: Model, Monitor, and Master
Christian Courtemanche, Instructor
(MMUU Math and Science Instructional Coach and longtime CVEDC presenter)
Dates: February 7 and March 18, 2020 Time: 9:00 – 3:00 pm Coaches Corner 3-4 pm
Cost: CVEDC Members: $400 Non-members: $450 *cost includes game materials (dice, cards, etc.) and meals for both days
Target Audience: Grades K-4 educators, special educators, coaches and school/district-based teams
Mastery of addition facts is a key component for further work with larger numbers, fluency with subtraction, and application to multiplication, division, and fractions. So many students fall into traps of anxiety around mastering their basic facts. Others quickly memorize and then forget, leaving little strategy other than counting on fingers to fall back on when problems get more complex. How can we guide students toward fluency without fear or temporary shortcuts?
Over the two days, participants will focus on three areas for developing strong addition fact fluency that will last for years:
Modeling
– Structure a routine for using 5-minute Number Talks that allow students to “discover” mental strategies for mastering facts
– Develop your own bank of Number Talks specifically tailored to addition basic fact mastery
– Connect various models for addition that both illustrate conceptual properties and help students visualize their mental strategies
Monitoring
– Incorporate a system for using quick formative assessment that provides individualized student feedback and targets specific instructional goals
Mastering
– Compile a bank of powerful targeted games and instructional tools that support fact mastery
– Learn to match formative instruction with specific games
– Become familiar with math menu as a model for differentiating instruction
COACHES CORNER: The last hour of each session will be reserved for coaches and administrators interested in bringing the approach to a more systematic implementation: incorporating these structures into data team PLC systems, creating a vision and timeline for school- /district-wide implementation, and supporting teachers who are just getting started.
Christian Courtemanche (M.Ed) is the District K-4 Math and K-8 Science Instructional Coach in Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District. He has been in elementary and middle school education for over 10 years as both a classroom teacher and a curriculum specialist. As a elementary school teacher, Christian was recognized for his integration of music into curriculum and instruction. He was honored with the Praxis II Recognition of Excellence for being in the top 15% of all-time participants in the Elementary Ed: Content Knowledge exam. He teaches a graduate-level course through CVEDC on models for differentiation in mathematics as well as facilitates math and science committees, workshops, and professional development opportunities in rolling out and unpacking of CCSS-M and NGSS for districts and teams.
CVEDC supports Vermont ASCD and their mission. If you register for this CVEDC event, CVEDC will contribute $15 towards your VT ASCD member fee of $40 so that you will only be billed $25 for the year.
After submitting your CVEDC event registration, just go to the VT ASCD site and become a VTASCD member and indicate that you are using CVEDC15OFF as a code for $15 off. Go to www.vtascd.org for more information.
Facilitator: Karen Lehning, FWSU Math Teacher Leader
Dates: June 23, 24, 25, 2020 Time: 9:00 am – *3:00 pm *4:30 if taking for credit *syllabus contains additional 2 credit course requirements, including 3 online asynchronous hours.
(includes light breakfast & lunch)
Target Audience: K-6 Math Instructors including special educators
This 3-day workshop will explore the impact of both teacher and student mindset on the math classroom. We will explore current research on growth mindset and how mindset impacts students’ beliefs about mathematics.
We will dive into rich mathematical tasks and explore activities that will engage students in meaningful learning opportunities. Participants will leave this workshop with resources they can use to create a math classroom that supports a growth mindset.
Participants will:
- Review research that support the implementation of practices that encourage a growth mindset in the math classroom.
- Evaluate and assess their own mindset to uncover beliefs and assumptions about mathematics.
- Design a series of activities that will move students toward a growth mindset.
All participants should read Mathematical Mindsets: Unleashing Students’ Potential Through Creative Math, Inspiring Messages and Innovative Teaching by Jo Boaler prior to the first meeting. It will be sent to you at your school shortly after registration. This book will provide the background for our work and participants will be digging into and discussing Boaler’s research throughout the workshop.
Participants taking it for 2 graduate credit: In addition to attending the 3-day series & additional hours, you will be expected to create a growth mindset resource guide that can be used in your math classroom. The final resource guide will include a series of growth mindset activities and math problems what will be designed to shift students’ mindset. Course participants will write a short reflection on their own shift in mindset as a result of the readings and course discussions. See syllabus online.
Text: Boaler, J., & Dweck, C.s. (2015). Mathematical Mindsets: Unleashing students’ potential through creative math, inspiring messages and innovative teaching.
Karen Lehning is currently a math specialist at the Georgia Elementary and Middle School. She has been an educator for 16 years, both as an elementary classroom teacher and math leader. read more…
CVEDC supports Vermont ASCD and their mission. If you register for this CVEDC event, CVEDC will contribute $15 towards your VT ASCD member fee of $40 so that you will only be billed $25 for the year.
After submitting your CVEDC event registration, just go to the VT ASCD site and become a VTASCD member and indicate that you are using CVEDC15OFF as a code for $15 off. Go to www.vtascd.org for more information.