Another MOOC, Anyone?

Here's another opportunity to participate in a Massive Open Online Course for Educators (MOOC) to better understand the mathematical concepts in the Common Core State Standards.  We're open to creating a Johnston County group to participate in this MOOC journey together.  If you are interested in participating in this group, let Leanne Daughtry know (leannedaughtry@johnston.k12.nc.us). 

Division and Multiplication of Whole Numbers: Bridging to Fraction Understanding is the second in the “Mathematics Learning Trajectories for the Common Core” MOOC-Ed series. This professional development series focuses on learning trajectories as a framework for interpreting and implementing the Common Core State Standards in Mathematics (CCSS-M). Funded by a grant from the Hewlett Foundation to provide free professional development to educators around the new CCSS, this is the first of four courses that will be released throughout the year.

Division and Multiplication was developed by the GISMO Research Group at the Friday Institute, led by Dr. Jere Confrey and Dr. Alan Maloney. Beginning March 17, the course will introduce a learning trajectory approach to students’ multiplicative reasoning, exploring a stronger conceptual basis for multiplicative reasoning, so that multiplication and division of fractions is an extension of multiplication and division of whole numbers. It is recommended for elementary and middle grades mathematics educators.

For more information about this course or to register, please click here.

Formative Instructional and Assessment Tasks for the Common Core State Standards in Mathematics

When teachers understand what students know and can do, and then use that knowledge to make more effective instructional decisions, the net result is greater learning for students and a greater sense of satisfaction for teachers.  George Bright and Jeane Joyner (2005)

Looking for Common Core Aligned instructional tasks, quick checks, or formative assessment tasks?  Check out this resource from NCDPI:  

3-5 Tasks:  http://3-5cctask.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/home (updated)

K-2 Tasks:  http://commoncoretasks.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/

In my experience, these wiki sites work best on a computer, rather than an iPad.  

There you'll find tasks aligned to the Common Core State Standard for Mathematics that are designed to be used to guide instruction.  It is recommended that you first read the Overview to learn more about how NCDPI suggests using these tasks in your classroom.  

As more information  is released about the CCSS for Math, these tasks will be updated.  The NC DPI appreciates suggestions and feedback to help improve this resource.  Please send feedback to Kitty Rutherford (kitty.rutherford@dpi.nc.gov) or Denise Schulz (denise.schulz@dpi.nc.gov) 

Math Talk

I've added a new tab to the JCS LiveBinder - Math Talk.  Here is a video clip sample - you can find this and other videos under the red Math Talk tab of the JCS Elementary LiveBinder.  There are also articles and other math talk resources there.  Check it out!

Let me know if you have any resources to share...I'll be happy to add them to the LiveBinder, too!

New K-5 Math Resources Linked to the JCS LiveBinder!

Happy Tuesday!  While I was searching for resources to support us in our math continuum development, I stumbled upon the Cleveland County, NC site.  They maintain LiveBinders for each grade level, and I've linked those on our LiveBinder.  To view, go to the JCS Elementary LiveBinder, click on either the K-2 Math Resources or 3-5 Math Resources Red Tab, and then click on your "__ Grade Resources" grey tab. Remember that their Instructional Guides may not be in the same sequence as our Scope and Sequence Documents, but check out the resources under the domain tabs. Happy searching!

Another Opportunity to Award Excellence in Math and Science Teaching

Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching 

Alright, y'all...Here's another opportunity to nominate yourself or a colleague.  Winners receive $10,000 (ahem...who couldn't use that?!?), a paid trip for two to Washington, D.C. to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities, and a certificate signed by the President of the United States.   Details follow...

What are the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching?

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are the highest honors bestowed by the United States government specifically for K-12 mathematics and science (including computer science) teaching. 

Awards are given to mathematics and science (including computer science) teachers from each of the 50 states and four U.S. jurisdictions and recognize those teachers who develop and implement a high-quality instructional program that is informed by content knowledge and enhances student learning. 

Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science (including computer science) education. The National Science Foundation administers PAEMST on behalf of The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Who is Eligible?

The following are eligibility criteria for nominees. They must:

• Teach mathematics or science (including computer science) at the K-6th grade level in a public or private school.
• Hold at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• Be a full-time employee of the school or school district as determined by state and district policies, and teach K-12 students at least 50% of the time.
• Have at least 5 years of full-time, K-12 mathematics or science (including computer science) teaching experience prior to the 2013-2014 academic school year.
• Teach in one of the 50 states or the four U.S. jurisdictions. The jurisdictions are Washington, DC; Puerto Rico; Department of Defense Education Activity schools; and the U.S. territories as a group (American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands).
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Not have received the PAEMST award at the national level in any prior competition or category.

Nominations are Now Open

The 2014 Awards will honor mathematics and science (including computer science) teachers working in grades K-6. Nominations close on April 1, 2014.

What are you waiting for???  Go to https://www.paemst.org/ to start your application (or nominate a colleague) today! 

TAP Math Websites Closing

TAP Math Participants:

The TAP Math grant is about to "officially" close. The final report goes to DPI for the Department of Education on December 1 and the website will close. Jeane asked me to alert to the TAP Math participants in our district to get anything off the website you need before Thanksgiving.  

The URL for the summer PD materials is:  https://sites.google.com/site/tapmathsummer2012/home

The regular website is:  TAP Math Participants: http://tapmath.mrooms3.net/  

2014 SMT Center Awards

Would you consider nominating yourself or someone else today?  

Each year, the North Carolina Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center offers awards that recognize individuals and organizations whose extraordinary contributions to science, mathematics, and technology education in North Carolina are helping to advance education in NC.  Categories include K-8 teacher, 9-16 teacher, informal educator, administrator, student leadership as well as awards that recognize businesses and organizations that support STEM education.  Educator and student award recipients receive $1,000.  Recipients of the awards are honored in the spring at the Celebration of Science, Mathematics, and Technology.  View http://ncsmt.org/awards/overview/ for more information and to see videos of last year's winners.   Deadline to nominate is December 1.

To nominate, apply or for more details, visit: http://ncsmt.org/prog.awards.html. 

For more information, contact:

Lisa Rhoades

Program Associate

NC Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center  (SMT Center)

21 T.W. Alexander Drive

PO Box 13901

Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

919-991-5111

919-667-8864 - mobile

lrhoades@bwfund.org

www.ncsmt.org