Math Landscapes V: May 2020
Landscapes of Learning Mathematics
Professional Development for P-8 Teachers, Coaches & Supervisors
The Western Region of the New York State Master Teacher Program is excited to offer our sequence of mini-courses in the mathematical landscapes of learning series that focuses on the big ideas, strategies, and models related to the development of fractions across the elementary and middle school grades. The content will be situated within a landscape of learning framework that is based on the premise that student’s mathematical thinking develops in a multitude of ways that begins with contexts or concrete tasks followed by pictorial representations and culminating in abstract perspectives. Exploration of Common Core strands across the grade levels will provide opportunities for participants to share their grade level expertise and to enhance their understanding of the coherent development of topics along the K – 8 spectrum. Participants will receive a CTLE certificate for 12 hours of professional development for each mini-course. First-time participants will also receive a set of dry-erase boards for small group work and whole-class discussions.
LANDSCAPES V: Geometry and Spatial Sense
May 19, 21, 26, 28
4:30 pm - 8:00 pm
SAMC 259
In this minicourse we will explore fundamental ideas related to the classification of 2-D and 3-D shapes, spatial orientation, and geometric reasoning. The landscape of learning related to the classification of shapes progresses from children’s early visual-based categorizations to an increased focus on attributes and properties within categories of shapes, and culminates in an understanding of the hierarchical relationships among different classes of shapes. Within this progression are important ideas related to the role of definition, and the nature and need for proof. A second area of focus will be on the landscape that maps the development of spatial reasoning and positional awareness. Content involving shape composition and decomposition, the specification of location using coordinate grids, transformations in the plane, and the Pythagorean theorem will also be explored. Our discussions will focus on sharing classroom practices that foster students’ growth across the landscape and take advantage of the range of grade level perspectives that will be represented. Concrete tools for thinking including tiles, blocks, sketches and drawings, shape sets, and geoboards, as well as apps and computer graphics and coding, will be an integrated in course activities.
There is no cost for these workshops! The workshops are open to all P-8 teachers, coaches, and supervisors. Seating is limited so please register by completing the fields below.