Math Bits - October 2024

Minnesota Council of Teachers of Mathematics
www.mctm.org
 

SAVE the DATES:

2025 Spring Conference

April 25 and 26, 2025

More information and registration coming soon!

2025 Spring Conference Keynote Speakers Howie Hua and Latrenda Knighten

Spring Conference Preview

Hello! I’m Becky Rahm, the current Vice President of Middle School for MCTM. Our conference theme this year is “From Standards to Success: Creating Pathways for Each and Every Learner.” Kicking off the conference will be Howie Hua during Friday's opening session. For our closing session, we’re thrilled to welcome Latrenda Knighten, the newly inducted president of NCTM. Read more

Article by Becky Rahm, 2025 Spring Conference Chair and VP Middle School

2024 MN Math Leaders/MDE FREE Webinars

Reading in Math Series #1: The 3-Reads Routine with MN Math Standards

Time: Wednesday, October 9th at 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

ZOOM Link: You will get this after registering.

Leader:  Sara Van Der Werf

Description: Are  you looking for ways to support K-12 math students in accessing text in mathematics to engage as problem solvers?  Join us for part 1 of the ‘Reading in Math’ where we will explore the three reads routine connected to MN standards.  This routine is adapted from Stanford’s UL/SCALE Mathematical Language Routines and from Routines for Reasoning, by Grace Kelemanik, Amy Lucenta and Susan Janssen Creighton (pp. 128–149).

10 Part Math Webinar on the 8 Mathematical Practices

Time: Wednesdays from 7:00 - 7:30 a.m. with Q & A from 7:30 - 7:45 a.m starting on September 18th, 2024

ZOOM Link: You will get this after registering.

Leader:  Sara Van Der Werf

Description: Every benchmark in the future 2022 MN Math Standards includes a link to one or more of the 8 Standards of Mathematical Practice.  What are the Mathematical Practices?  How can math educators and leaders build these into their work with the current standards and prepare for future standards?  To learn more, join us for a 10-part series titled 'The 8 Mathematical Practices where we answer questions and more.

OPPORTUNITIES IN OCTOBER
MCTM Foundation Updates and Grant Opportunities

The MCTM Foundation has several grant opportunities are available. Note the deadline to apply is October 31, 2024.

STEM Teacher Preparation Project Opportunity

If you know a former student who wants to be a STEM teacher then have them look into the Bemidji State STEM Teacher Preparation project. We have scholarships for the full cost of attendance for students’ final two years of their undergrad degree. Have interested students contact Todd Frauenholtz (todd.frauenholtz@bemidjistate.edu) or Jenna O’Dell (jenna.odell@bemidjistate.edu) at Bemidji State Math department. This project is funded by the National Science Foundation, award #2344947.

MathMasters Competitions 24-25 

Math Masters Challenge Competition for 4th, 5th, 6th Graders.

Register your 4th, 5th and 6th graders now for 2025 Math Masters competitions! Math Masters challenges competitors to use critical thinking and problem-solving skills in mathematics. Students compete as individuals and on teams in 7–

8 rounds of competition, with their academic effort and achievement recognized with plaques, medals and ribbons. All competitors receive a free t-shirt; top statewide winners are invited to a Minnesota Twins baseball game to celebrate their achievement.

Math Masters Registration


HAVE YOU CONSIDERED JOINING THE MCTM BOARD?
 
 
 

MCTM Needs You!

Call for Nominations to the MCTM Board of Directors

Do you know someone who would bring valuable experience to the MCTM Board of Directors? Nominations are open for four positions for the next MCTM Board election; 

  • Vice-President Middle School

  • Vice- President Higher Ed

  • Region 3 Director & Region 6 Director (map of Regions)

Call for nominations for the 2025 MCTM Board of Directors

Article by Laura Wagenman, President Elect
 

Articles

Indigenous People's Day

October 14th is Indigenous People’s Day. This is a very special holiday because it allows us to celebrate all Native Americans that live in the United States and their contributions. In Minnesota, our Indigenous People are the Dakota and Anishinaabe. Our 2022 Minnesota Math Standards include the teaching of their contributions in Dimension 2: Benchmark Contexts. Read more

Article by Laura Wagenman, President Elect


What does Teacher Noticing mean, and how does it influence classroom practice?

The Minnesota STEM Teacher Center website provides K-12 teachers with insights and materials to understand the current 2007 academic math standards that are in effect through the '26-'27 school year. As mentioned in the September MathBits, new professional development materials anchored around the new 2022 standards are now available. This month the focus is  the skill set of teacher noticing and responsive teaching which anchors how the Standards of Mathematical Practice (What students do) and the Mathematics Teaching Practices (What teachers do) are implemented. Read more

    Article by James Brickwedde, Project for Elementary Mathematics


    Multiplying Two Binomials: Elementary Strategies' Vertical Connections to Middle School Algebra

    There is a tension over how the mathematics standard algorithms are understood conceptually by students and the procedural steps used to execute them. This article focuses specifically on multiplication strategies and algorithms and their vertical connection to the algebra students engage with in middle school. Read more

      Article by James Brickwedde, Project for Elementary Mathematics

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