Minnesota Council of Teachers of Mathematics MathBits

MCTM is in need of 40 easels to be used by conference participants during the symposium and conference. Participants in groups of 2-3 will be writing on white boards at the easels. We need your help!

We are also in need of something rigid (the approximate size of chart paper) to put on the easel to hold the wipe-book. This can be a 'whiteboard' or a piece of plywood or... If you can bring something like this, we would LOVE it.

If you are able to bring an easel to the Symposium/Spring Conference to be used from 8am Thursday, April 20th to Saturday, April 22nd at noon, please complete this GoogleForm.

If you have items you need help transporting to Duluth, we can work with you to make that happen.

Thank you.

Questions: mctm@mctm.org

MN Legislative Update

House Bill 651 - Financial Literacy is moving forward in the MN House.The bill proposes that a 1/2 credit for personal finance be required for HS graduation and that this credit could replace ½ credit of Algebra 2.

The below link contains the details of the proposed change.

Proposed changes to HS graduation requirements

Articles

Learn more about an Equity and Excellence Framework for Mathematics in Minnesota to guide you in creating more equitable learning environments in this article by Lesa Covington Clarkson and Fawnda Norman.

In this month's Building a Thinking Classroom Together, Jessica shares how she's implemented part 4 of BTC - grading and recording data.

Check out these three tips from the Spring Conference Committee on How to Plan for Your Conference so you can get the most out of the Spring Conference later this month.

Are you ready for Fun for Each and Every One!? Check out all the ways you can socialize and connect with the Minnesota Math Community at the Spring Conference in this article.

Learn about how Jane explores new teaching tools like a magpie in an article this week by the Region 8 Director, Jane Juten.

Opportunities

The MCTM Foundation is supporting 33 people as they attend the Spring Conference this month. This was made possible by your support. Learn which grants were awarded and how you can give back to the Foundation while you attend the conference in this month's Foundation Update.

Invitation to join a virtual MN Math Leaders PLC

Are you a mathematics coach, specialist, or curriculum lead? Are you interested in a virtual PLC for math leaders? Join with your colleagues to discuss curriculum, instruction, or topics generated by members. The next meeting is Tuesday, April 11 from 1 to 3 PM. Please forward this to interested colleagues. If you would like to join this PLC group, please email mctm@mctm.org with your contact information.

Math On-A-Stick seeking Committee Members

The Math On--A-Stick committee of the MCTM Board seeks 3-to-5 volunteers for monthly, remote meetings to organize procedures, digital resources, and physical materials to support and implement this annual event. More Information

Stay connected with MCTM by following us on social media.

You can find us @mctm_mn on Twitter and Instagram.
Follow the MCTM page on Facebook and join the MN Math Teachers Closed Group on Facebook, to connect with your colleagues.

Renew your MCTM Membership Is it time to renew or start a new sustaining membership for $25? Sustaining memberships go toward supporting the Annual Spring Conference, promotes networking and professional learning opportunities.

Update your MCTM swag at the Spring Conference!!

New MCTM items will be available at the Spring Conference. Get a sneak peak below! In the meantime, check out the MCTM Store at https://www.mctm.org/MCTMStore sale items! Orders are shipped and received within the same week. There are great items from $26 - $46. Price includes shipping.

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MathBits December 2022

Rachel Baker — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 21:52:01 GMT

Opportunities in December

Invitation to join a virtual MN Math Leaders PLC Are you a mathematics coach, specialist, or curriculum lead? Are you interested in a virtual PLC for math leaders? Join with your colleagues to discuss curriculum, instruction, or topics generated by members. The next meeting is Tuesday, December 13 from 1 to 3 PM. Please forward this to interested colleagues. If you would like to join this PLC group, please email mctm@mctm.org with your contact information.

Use the MN Achievement Level Descriptors to assure all students have access to grade level mathematics

Join a webinar via ZOOM on December 6 at either 7:30 AM or 4:00 PM

Join the Minnesota Math Leaders and the MDE Math Standards and Assessment Team in a 50-minute webinar via ZOOM to learn how you can use the Mathematics Benchmark Achievement Level Descriptors (BALDs) to assure all students have access to grade level mathematics. Tips for how to use the BALDs for leaders and educators will be shared. The BALDs are one of the most useful math resources on the MDE site. Come hear why and how your site can use it.

Link to the BALD: https://testing123.education.mn.gov/test/plan/success/ Scroll down and click on the blue bar labeled ‘benchmark achievement level descriptors’

Note: The 4:00 PM Webinar will be recorded and uploaded for others to view after December 6. Attendees will receive a link. December 6 sign up Please forward this invitation to others. Questions: mctm@mctm.org

Announcements

Annual Spring Conference 2023

Mathematics for Each and Everyone!

Yes, the Annual Spring Conference will return to a full conference on Friday, April 21 and Saturday, April 22 in Duluth! Peter Liljedahl, the author of Building Thinking Classrooms will be Friday's keynote speaker. Three of the co-chairs from the MN Academic Standards Review will be the Saturday keynotes.

Spring Conference Registration

Share your learning with your mathematics colleagues. We are seeking Speaker Proposals! Not sure of how to write a session description? Read this article for helpful hints.

Symposium 2023

The full day symposium on Thursday, April 20, returns after 4 years! MCTM and MDE are excited to learn with Peter Liljedahl, author of Building Thinking Classrooms. A copy of the book Building Thinking Classrooms will be included in the registration fee of $195. 2023 Symposium Registration

Do you need Financial Support to attend the Conference and Symposium?

Check out this month's Foundation Update for information about scholarships and grants to support your attendance at this year's Symposium and Spring Conference. Applications due February 20th.

Nominate someone you know (or yourself) to be on the MCTM Board! Elections will be for Regions 1, 4 and 7 Directors as well as the Vice President of High School. Learn more here.

Renew your MCTM Membership Is it time to renew or start a new sustaining membership for $25? Sustaining memberships go toward supporting the Annual Spring Conference, promotes networking and professional learning opportunities.

NCTM is introducing a new webinar series that can be directly applied to your classrooms, Classroom Conversations. Each month, NCTM will hand-pick a Classroom Resource — which can include Illuminations, Problems of the Week —and highlight how you can implement it into your classrooms. For more resources, you can join NCTM.

NCTM Notice and Wonder Explore this site with activities and professional learning opportunities. Notice and Wonder provide fun and engaging mathematics prompts to spark the sense of curiosity that leads students to understand that math is everywhere!

M3 Challenge is a free online math modeling competition for high school juniors, seniors, and sixth form students. During Challenge weekend, teams spend 14 hours using the math modeling process to analyze, make predictions about, and provide insight into an open-ended, real-world problem. Registration is open now.

Stay connected with MCTM by following us on social media.

You can find us @mctm_mn on Twitter and Instagram.
Follow the MCTM page on Facebook and join the MN Math Teachers Closed Group on Facebook, to connect with your colleagues.

Articles

Did you know you can find released MCA items? Newly released this summer, learn about the Minnesota Questions Tools in this article by Angela Hochstetter and Michael Huberty at MDE.

Check out the monthly series Building a Thinking Classroom Together by Jessica Strom, VP High School as she discusses strategies for supporting your learners in woking well together.

"Crafting word problems for your students is a way to assist students in mathematizing the world around them." Learn more about the Art of Writing Story Problems in this month's article by James Brickwedde.

"When was the last time you planned a classroom activity to promote the joy and beauty of mathematics?" Check out how Karen Hyers, MCTM President, does just that in this month's President's Message: Bringing Joy.

November MathBits 2022

Rachel Baker — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 14:58:47 GMT

Opportunities in November

Education Minnesota PD grants available Members seeking funding for professional development can apply for a grant from the Education Minnesota Foundation for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. ESPs and teachers can request up to $2,000 while higher education faculty qualify for up to $3,000. Applications are due by Nov. 4.

Information about the MCTM Foundation opportunities for Grants/Scholarships and how to support the efforts can be found in this month's MCTM Foundation Update.

3-D Series for Rural Educators is back on Thursday, Nov. 3rd. This webinar is suitable for all grades K-12. Learn more about this opportunity.

Invitation to join a virtual MN Math Leaders PLC Are you a mathematics coach, specialist, or curriculum lead? Are you interested in a virtual PLC for math leaders? Join with your colleagues to discuss curriculum, instruction, or topics generated by members. The first organizing meeting is Thursday, Nov. 3, from 1 to 3 PM. Please forward this to interested colleagues. If you would like to join this PLC group (even if you can't make this first meeting due), please email mctm@mctm.org with your contact information.

Announcements

Nominate someone you know (or yourself) to be on the MCTM Board! Elections will be for Regions 1, 4 and 7 Directors as well as the Vice President of High School. Learn more here. Nominations are due November 15th.

Consider nominating an MCTM member for an Honorary Membership. Nominations are due November 15th. Learn more about what it means to receive MCTM's highest award.

Annual Spring Conference - Mathematics for Each and Everyone! Yes, the Annual Spring Conference will return to a full conference on Friday, April 21 and Saturday, April 22. Peter Liljedahl, Building Thinking Classrooms will be the Friday keynote speaker. Registration will be available in early December. For those planning ahead, the full conference fee will be $275. Presenter registration will be $150. Watch for requests for proposals. Share your learning with your mathematics colleagues.

Symposium The full day symposium on Thursday, April 20, returns after 4 years! MCTM and MDE are excited to learn with Peter Liljedahl, Building Thinking Classrooms. The registration for the Symposium will be available early December. Come and learn with your team. There will be time for team collaboration. A copy of Building Thinking Classrooms will be included in the registration fee of $195.

Renew your MCTM Membership Is it time to renew or start a new sustaining membership for $25? Sustaining memberships go toward supporting the Annual Spring Conference, promoting networking and professional learning opportunities.

NCTM is introducing a new webinar series that can be directly applied to your classrooms, Classroom Conversations. Each month, NCTM will hand-pick a Classroom Resource — which can include Illuminations, Problems of the Week —and highlight how you can implement it into your classrooms. For more resources, you can join NCTM.

MN Math Leaders Webinar Mark your calendars for Tuesday, December 6 at either 7:30 AM or 4:00 PM for a 50- minute virtual webinar featuring Sara VanDerWerf, Angela Hochstetter, and Mike Huberty from MDE.

Topic: How Math Benchmark Achievement Level Descriptors can be used to give all students access to grade level instruction. Look for registration information later in November.

Stay connected with MCTM by following us on social media.

You can find us @mctm_mn on Twitter and Instagram.
Follow the MCTM page on Facebook and join the MN Math Teachers Closed Group on Facebook, to connect with your colleagues.

Articles

Ten Takeaways from NCTM Los Angeles shared by Laura Wagenman, VP Elementary

MCA Scores and Data are Here...NOW WHAT? Learn about how to use MCA Benchmark Data and Individual Student Reports in this article by Angela Hochstetter and Michael Huberty at MDE.

The Power of 3D a message from your MCTM President, Karen Hyers, about the the ways 3D can have you noticing, wondering, learning and growing as an educator.

Learn more about incorporating Visibly Random Grouping into your classroom in the monthly series Building a Thinking Classroom Together by Jessica Strom, VP High School

Consider new strategies to differentiate in your classroom this year in this article by James Brickwedde.

October MathBits 2022

Rachel Baker — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 16:03:00 GMT

Opportunities in October

Cutler Scholarships for Middle Grade Teachers: Are you a middle school teacher planning to take a mathematics course this year? Did you know you can get help with tuition – up to $1200!!! Deadline is Oct. 31st.

MCTM Teacher Incentive Grants: MCTM awards up to $1500 to Minnesota K –16 mathematics teachers to support educators desiring to implement innovative, standards-based projects in teaching and learning mathematics. Up to $1500 is available for each grant. Deadline is Oct. 31st.

Math Masters

Registration for the 2023 MathMasters competitions will be opening soon. There are new competition sites in Fergus Falls, Grand Rapids, and Sartell with the possibility of more competition sites. You can follow MathMasters on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

MathCounts Minnesota MATHCOUNTS is roaring back for an in-person 2022-23 Competition Season for middle school math students. More than 140 math teacher-coaches brought their teams to the in-person and/or online MATHCOUNTS Competitions last year. And, we hope to see even more coaches involved in this year's local chapter and state competitions. There will be a full in-person season in 2023. For information and to register a MATHCOUNTS team go to www.mathcounts.org. You can follow MathCounts on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn. More MathCounts newsYou can follow MathMasters on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

OURFA2M2 (The Online Undergraduate Resource Fair for the Advancement and Alliance of Marginalized Mathematicians) will host its third annual conference on November 19-20. The weekend long event, organized by students, for students will be free and hosted online. If you are an undergraduate student, join us to learn how to jumpstart or advance your math career. Register at ourfa2m2.org.

Join the Iowa Council of Teachers of Mathematics on October 15th for their annual conference. Learn more at http://www.iowamath.org/

Articles

Read about strategies to build classroom community, a place of belonging and positive mathematical mindsets in this article by Laura Wagenman, VP Elementary

Are you looking for where to get started in implementing Building Thinking Classrooms, check out this new monthly series by Jessica Strom, VP High School

A reflection by an Arnie Cutler Scholarship awardee after taking a graduate level math class: "now I actually understand how they (students) are feeling". Read more and apply today!

As you seek to "develop a skill set allowing them (students) to develop their own voice, the capacity to actively listen to others, and to comprehend the perspective of another," consider this article by James Brickwedde PhD.