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Math Training and Curriculum Development in Support of 21

Century Mathematics Learning

Rationale: MICDS is moving into a 1:1 environment that will require the development of a sustainable, forward-thinking curriculum. The math department is embracing theconcept of math research and project based learning and is determining how to moveforward in an environment that is 1:1 and affords additional opportunities for teachingand learning. This proposal is to provide a training and curriculum development programof 50 hours for all math faculty to better prepare us for a implementing a successful 1:1mathematics environment.Primary Participants – Will Hansen, Alan Begrowicz, John Pais, Elizabeth HelfantSecondary Participants – Josh Smith, Chris Muskopf, Paul Reinki, Bill Werremeyer, JoanLlufrio, Veena Krishnan,

Objectives:

1.Articulate what our philosophy should be in light of our own experiences aseducators and recent learning initiatives (Best Practices, Classroom Instructionthat Works, Four Domains,Brainresearch) and the institutional move to a 1:1environment.2.Acquire deeper knowledge about a variety of software applications that can beutilized to deepen students understandings of math and diversify our methods of teaching so we are better able to help our students learn3.Expose ourselves to external experts and how they approach a 21

century mathcurriculum4.Provide time to revise curriculum to align with philosophy of the mathdepartment, 21

century skills and 1:1 environment5.Develop student projects and daily activities that utilize software applicationslearned, include skills set forth in the Library and Instructional TechnologyMission Statement, and leverage the power of a 1:1 learning environment

Events

Internal ConversationsJune 2 – Framing the Summer- Will Hansen (2hrs)

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What is our philosophy of teaching Mathematics and how has it or should itchange in light of 1:1 and our 21

century learners?

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What content should change? (process – form a conjecture and test it; explore andfind similarities – how can technology facilitate this- emphasis on testing it )

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What things do we want students to get from our math curriculum – skills,experiences, content,general problem solving techniques and attitudes that are notmath specific?

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How can we teach students to transfer skills and concepts?

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How can we use projects to encourage learning, risk-taking, communication (in avariety of representational modes) and skill acquisition?

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How do we assess process?

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How do we align/sequence with science?

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How do we lessen the "evaporation" of learned knowledge and skills from oneyear to the next

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Math is everywhere. How do we make it real and accessible and alive for kids?June 3-Sharing our Expertise – Al Begrowicz (2 hours)Let’s share and discuss what we have in place that we can develop.

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What research projects did we do this year?

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What worked in those projects?

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What did we learn from them?

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What Rubrics were effective?

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How have we used formative assessment?

Training Sessions

June 10, 11, 12 (half days – 9-11:45 – 8 hours)Stella – Pat Woessner and Speaker TBDStella is a mathematics modeling software application that has merit for mathematicseducation. It has been use sparingly in Upper School but could become an integral part of math and science research. We will use 3 half days to examine Stella and develop somecurriculum that utilizes Stella and supports the 1:1 environment.June 17 (4 hours 8:30-12:30)Fathom – Alan BegrowiczFathom is mathematics software that allows for the analysis of datasets. We will explorethe basic use of the tool and willJune 24 (4 hours 8:30-12:30)Lab Quest, STEM, and World Materials Modules – Elizabeth Helfant and Al BegrowiczJuly 7 (full day – 6 hrs + lunch)Web 2.0 and the 21

Century Learner Speaker – Darren Karapatwa (Speaker stipend needs to come from Professionaldevelopment fund or math department)Darren Karapatwa has established himself as a premier user of technology in the mathclassroom. He makes extensive use of blogs and web 2.0 tools while exposing hisstudents to real world scenarios and requiring that they reflect on their use of mathematics. His blog can be seen here:http://adifference.blogspot.com/and his class blog can be seen here-http://apcalc07.blogspot.com/July 17 – Maple –John PaisMaple is visualization software that can help students “see” math processes. It is alsouseful for exposing students to some introductory programming skills. It does have alearning curve associated with it. It is software that students who continue on inmathematics will definitely have to work with.July 24 (full day – 6 hrs + lunch)Webassign and 21

Century Assessment– Elizabeth Helfant and Aaron Titus

WebAssign will be our online assessment tool and with each student now having amachine in class, we should be able to leverage it more.July 29 (3 hrs + lunch)Final Meeting – Sharing and Planning – Will HansenWe will meet to discuss what we have learned and how we can sustain it when schoolstarts. We will explore options for supporting each other with technology and curriculumrevision.Independent work – Each major topic will conclude with a homework assignment thatshould require an hour of work. The stipend includes 40 hours of face time and 5 hours of independent work to ensure follow up on each topic.

Outcomes:

Each teacher will examine, discuss, and reflect on what good math teaching is for today’sstudents.Each teacher will increase her/his skill set with technology tools available to facilitatemathematics teaching so that they are better prepared for the 1:1 environment.Each grade level will identify possibleprojects and align them with a departmental scopeand sequence so students can create a math portfolio demonstrating project basedlearning.The Math Department will examine it mission and begin to identify a new set of collective goals.

Budget

Budget will need to be reduced or supplemented with other sources.Total budget is below.Participant StipendsPrimary Participants (3)- $975 stipend = $2925Secondary Participants (6)- $700 = $4200(45 hours of training at the Orthwein rate of $15.75 = $620 for secondary partiipants)(45 hrs training + 15 hours preparation of training materials for primary participants =$975)Total Stipends - $7125Lunch on 3days $375Speakers – Darren K- $1500+ expensesStella instructor - $2000Webassign instructor _ $1500 Note: Need external funding (professional development or Thomas grant or need to usemath or CIT budget funds. Elizabeth Helfant is submitting a Thomas Grant for 1:1external training and will simultaneously submit to Professional development committee.