March 2012
This month we are bringing you videos, videos, and more videos. We know you appreciate these quickly
accessed resources so that you can fit professional development into your busy schedules. We are also
entering summer workshop season for teachers. This is just the first installment of the many residential and
day-long programs designed to inspire you and your students. Please continue to send us your ideas. We
love to hear from you!
Ed Nolan
Where are the Common Core Textbooks?
Calculus in the High School
The Math Office in the Department of Curriculum
and Instruction is busy reviewing the latest
products from a host of publishing companies,
large and small. We are searching for resources
that are written specifically for the Common Core
and feature innovative strategies in line with the
Standards for Mathematical Practice.
This month, the National Council of Teachers of
Mathematics and the Mathematical Association of
America issued a joint statement on their vision
for calculus at the secondary and post-secondary
levels.
Unfortunately, we find that the
majority of offerings are merely
previously offered textbooks with
the content realigned to the
Common Core. It seems like we
are not the only educators
running into this problem. In
defense of the publishers, until
PARCC assessments are better
defined, we will see little
progress from the publishing
world.
So how exactly are textbooks and supplementary
resources produced?
Educational publishing
insider and current textbook editor Annie Keeghan
sheds some light on the current state of the
modern publishing machine.
Warning:
The
content of this opinion piece may alarm, shock,
and otherwise confirm what you always expected.
Textbooks may not be written with conceptual
understanding in mind!
“Although calculus can play an important
role in secondary school, the ultimate goal
of the K–12 mathematics curriculum
should not be to get students into and
through a course in calculus by twelfth
grade but to have established the
mathematical foundation that will enable
students to pursue whatever course of
study interests them when they get to
college. The college curriculum should
offer students an experience that is new
and
engaging,
broadening
their
understanding
of
the
world
of
mathematics while strengthening their
mastery of tools that they will need if they
choose to pursue a mathematically
intensive discipline.”
NCTM & MAA, March 2012
Please examine the full two-page document to
learn more.
Department of Curriculum and Instruction — Mathematics
850 Hungerford Drive Rockville, Maryland 20850
Discourse Video
Pick of the Month
What do YOU wonder?
•
Classroom teachers are needed to
provide feedback for upcoming
Math 6 and Algebra 1 CCSS
curriculum documents.
•
See this flier for more information
•
Sign up for sessions at
http://goo.gl/4k9cu
Department of Curriculum and Instruction — Mathematics
850 Hungerford Drive Rockville, Maryland 20850
Teacher Opportunities
Conferences
Institutes and Academies
MCTM is hosting a mini-conference on the Eastern
Shore on Saturday, April 14. Enjoy a morning of
sessions, followed by a relaxing lunch on a yacht
cruising the Chesapeake. (Lunch and fancy yacht
not included, but breakfast pastries are)
Elementary and middle school teachers; mark your
calendars for the interactive Institute on Algebra
Readiness. Sponsored by NCTM, this professional
development opportunity features several days of
hands-on experiences in Atlanta, followed by regular
online workshops to reflect on and hone your
instructional skills.
NCTM 2012 is just around the corner, on the
calendar and geographically!
If you are still
considering attending the conference, but are not
sure how to pay, MCTM is offering a grant to cover
registration costs. The application must be submitted
by March 30.
MCTM is hosting two summer academies for
elementary teachers. These early July opportunities
will serve as a springboard to examine pedagogy in
the CCSS classroom.
Bridges is an organization that looks at the
intersection of mathematics, music, art, architecture,
and culture. While last year’s conference in Portugal
was out of reach, the 2012 conference will be at
Towson University.
Running July 25-29, the
conference features exhibitions and presentations.
The final opportunity on our PD radar comes from
th
the University of Maryland. The 4 Annual Maryland
Math Institute will occur June 18-22 and will offer a
stipend, software, and two CPD credits. Attendees
will attend a variety of half-day and day-long
presentations. Lunch will be provided!
Workshops
Student Opportunities
Texas Instruments will hold training on their latest
calculator, the TI-Nspire CX and CAS CX July 24-26
at Century High School in Sykesville, MD.
Participants will receive a calculator, software, and
graduate credit for a fee. Our own Katie England will
facilitate a session at the workshop!
Additional Opportunities
The University of Maryland is offering two courses
this year for high school teachers. Geometry for HS
teachers and Calculus for HS teachers each carry
three credits and run from late June to late July.
Tuition assistance is available through MCPS.
If you are interested in learning more about
Maryland’s efforts in Special Education and early
intervention, Maryland Learning Links is a great
resource. Blogs, videos, and an opportunity to
spread the word about this new site are available for
your exploration.
The USA Science & Engineering Festival is almost
here! Come see Bill Nye, The Mythbusters, stars
from The Big Bang Theory, hand on science
demonstrations, a massive book fair, music, comedy,
and so much more. The event is free of charge and
is conveniently located the Washington Convention
Center downtown.
As noted in our last edition, Stanford has rolled out
their latest free online course offering, Game Theory.
Resources are available now!
The Maryland Summer Centers (MSC) engage gifted
and talented students entering Grades 4-12 in
unique summer programs. Centers located across
the State offer one- to three-week residential and
nonresidential programs with a focus on the arts,
sciences, technology, engineering, and world
languages. Deadline for application is April 15!
Maryland Public Television’s Lure of the Labrynth
math challenge starts April 1. The interactive contest
for middle school students is visually compelling and
fun to play!
Department of Curriculum and Instruction — Mathematics
850 Hungerford Drive Rockville, Maryland 20850
Pick Your Blarney Stone
Creating Stations for
Content Review
Designing Effective
Course Evaluations
Move beyond the cloned test, past
another round of Jeopardy, and let
students have a say in their own review!
This video shows one possibility.
Student feedback is imperative
to help us improve our practice
and
grow
as
thoughtful
practitioners. Hear what this
former Teacher of the Year has
to say about her experiences.
Break up instruction
During long periods of intense
thought
bring
a
little
excitement to the room. Two
minutes
will
reenergize
students
and
build
relationships at the same time.
Change Perspective and Raise
Expectations
What impact will this
animation have on you?
two-minute
Wolfram Education Portal
You Are Here.
Lesson plans, texts, interactive
demonstration, and more for
algebra and calculus.
Explore our known universe
on an adventure through
scientific notation.
Prime
fodder
for
notice
and
wonder, this applet is sure
to prompt discussion.
Sign up for free to gain full
access.
Have a Question or an Idea To Share?
Ed Nolan
supervisor
Cathie Peirce
admin. secretary
Brian Crane
content specialist
Katie England
content specialist
Jennifer Hallmark
content specialist
Colin Reinhard
content specialist
Missy Sigley
content specialist
Verna Washington
content specialist
or Contact us at 301-279-3161
Reader Contributions
Have you captured a
mathematical moment that
you would like to share? Do
you have classroom video or
student
work
that
demonstrates the Standards
for Mathematical Practice?
The Math Office is creating an archive of SMP in
action for use as models to share on the web and
in face to face professional development.
Please contact Colin Reinhard if you would like to
contribute or create content for this project.
Department of Curriculum and Instruction — Mathematics
850 Hungerford Drive Rockville, Maryland 20850