SPRING 2024, Vol. 5
MAY 2024
Published by: Montana Office of Public Instruction Mathematics Instructional Coordinator - Katrina Engeldrum
MT Math Minute
Summer Conferences
There are many high-quality and exciting professional development opportunities headed our way this summer. Please consider registering for these events and learning about how to support your mathematics instructional practices. Each of these events offers mathematics-specific training and some include special topics such as artificial intelligence, social-emotional learning, and cross-curricular integration.
Click any opportunity to learn more.
17th & 18th
Jun. 30th - Jul. 5th
AUG.
5th - 7th
8th & 9th
Feature: Learning Math Through Play
FEATURE: Learning Math Through Play
Is it really that impactful?
“If you can respond by saying ‘I don’t know, let’s find out’, math becomes an adventure!”
“Teach them that not knowing is not failure. It is the first step to understanding”
Time:
15 minutes
FEATURE: Learning Math Through Play
That’s nice, but I don’t have time to make up games. Where can I find ready-made resources?
There are so many on the internet, and the next page will list some popular ones, but here is a feature on just one of these amazing resources:
Math for Love was developed by Dan Finkel and Katherine Cook to promote play-based learning in mathematics.
Their website offers many free K-12 lessons and games for teachers to use with their students. They also have K-12 supplemental curricula for sale that act as excellent options for enrichment and intervention.
WestEd recently reviewed their out-of-school learning materials for grades K-5 and determined that these materials resulted in increased student positive attitudes, understanding, and skills in mathematics. WestEd also reports increased teacher enjoyment in teaching and impacted instructional practices among teachers.
RESOURCE LIST:
Here are some play-based resources for developing math learning in the classroom:
Discovery
Education
Now free for all Montana K-12 teachers and students! Materials include:
- Activities
- Videos
- Interactive Games
- Lessons
- And More!
Code.org
Helps build coding and computer programming skills in students. This program is:
- Free
- Available for Elementary, Middle, and High School Educators and Students.
- Game-Based and Project Based.
Prodigy Math
1st - 8th grade adaptive math, aligned to Common Core State Standards. This program provides students with game-based learning activities that adapt to their abilities. This software is free for teachers, generates progress and assessment reports, and serves as a great classroom reward.
Dream
Box
A tool for teachers to:
- Assign and build interactive activities for their students.
- Allow students to learn through discovery.
- See timely data on student success and support needs.
- Access continual professional development through DreamBox University.
pROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Teacher Learning Hub Offerings:
Addition and Subtraction Strategies (5 PDUs)
But What About Fact Fluency (2 PDUs)
Indian Ed & Math Seamless Integration (2 PDUs)
Mathematical Practices (K-8) (3 PDUs)
Multiplication Strategies of Basic Facts (4 PDUs)
Multiplication Strategies: Multi-Digit Numbers (5 PDUs)
Playing with Pythagoras (4 PDUs)
Problem Solving: Bring Your Classroom Alive! (3 PDUs)
The Hub offerings are free and self-guided. While each training can be applied towards licensure renewal, we encourage you to check with your district administrator or collective bargaining agreement to verify these meet district requirements for PIR.
Upcoming Events:
Professional Development F.A.Q
Need Additional Support?
Thanks for
Reading!
Want to be featured in future volumes?
OPI would love to feature those educators making innovative strides in mathematics education. If you would like to see a teacher, math department, school, or district honored for their great work, please fill out our feature request form.
