Math Courses

Participants strengthen collegial support as they construct a classroom environment that actively involves students in mathematical investigations and the relationship between math and the real world. Participants develop, implement, and reflect on mathematical ideas, strategies, and assessment approaches. The concepts and strategies presented in the course can be incorporated directly into the participants’ current math texts.

The course guides participants in establishing a classroom environment rich in problem solving, logical reasoning, computation and critical thinking, introducing practical strategies and concepts to teach mathematics focused on the NCTM Standards. The course also links reading, writing and talking with the teaching and learning of mathematics connecting content to real world applications through the PLN frameworks of The Five Math Processes and The Four Lenses of Learning.

This course presents evidenced-based practical strategies and concepts to teach mathematics that support state and national standards. Through collaborative, hands-on experiences, participants explore the interconnected nature of math and literacy. The course guides participants in establishing a classroom environment rich in problem-solving, logical reasoning, and computation. Participants develop, implement, and reflect on mathematical ideas, strategies, and assessment approaches. They also identify modifications and accommodations relevant to their students’ varying learning needs. The concepts presented in the course can be incorporated directly into the participants’ current math texts.

This course brings participants to the next level of involvement with PLN literacy frameworks and the NCTM Standards of Math 1. Participants collaborate with colleagues and reflect on these frameworks and their current practice as they engage in goal-planning and congruent assessment approaches in their classrooms and schools for the year (or years) to come.

The course emphasizes curricular planning, discussions about classroom, district, and state benchmarks and standards, curricular problem solving, document review of student work, and revisiting and extending reading/writing and math literacy approaches from Math 1.  

This course provides an opportunity for teachers to take an in-depth look at two comprehensive professional texts - “How Did You Get That? Seven Strategies For Improving Written Responses in Math” by Bill Atwood for grades 3-12 teachers and "What Successful Math Teachers Do" grades K-5 by Edward S. Wall and Alfred S. Posamentier.

The four general principles that guide this course are:

* Writing is thinking.

* Broad visions need strategic focus.

* Coordinated effort accelerates change

* Student responsibility drives learning.

Participants experience a variety of approaches to increase the quality of math written responses. Strategies for facilitating the explanation for open-ended responses are demonstrated. Each class meeting participants share how they have adapted these strategies in their classrooms. Based on the PLN Mathematical Processes and The Four Lenses of Learning, participants explore ways to construct learning experiences that help their students grow to be co-constructive, resilient problem solvers. They also consider how the work of Atwood, Wall and Posamentier and PLN concepts and strategies support one another and are integrated into best teaching practices.

A significant feature of this course is that participants reflect on themselves as learners. Through varied reflective writing opportunities, participants consider their personal and professional growth in response to the course texts. These written reflections comprise the required course journals. These journals are a combination of responses to the texts and classroom try-out strategies.

The following text is recommended:  "Principles to Actions:  Ensuring Mathematical Success For All" by NCTM. PLN provides "The Plainer Truths" by Morton Botel as the mentor text or participants can bring their copies of "The Plainer Truths" from an earlier PLN course.

Prerequisites: PLN Math 1, and PLN Math 2 or PLN Math 3

This course investigates how mathematics has long been intertwined with the brain. We explore the brain biology and processes needed to be successful in mathematics, examine where breakdowns occur and address instructional strategies to address these areas. The course utilizes the PLN frameworks of The Four Lenses of Learning and The Five Mathematical Processes to understand and deliver best practices.

Participants learn about working memory, executive function, the emotional brain, how the brain coordinates various processes to make math happen and what to do when students get stuck. Participants improve their understanding of the neurology behind the success of the PLN frameworks. This course includes ongoing journals blending classroom try-out reflections and professional readings and a final project case study to allow participants to apply their learning in the classroom.

Course participants develop a deeper understanding of math concepts while learning strategies and activities that can be used in the classroom. This course creates a greater appreciation for the in-depth understanding of mathematical concepts including addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, fractions, measurement, composing and decomposing numbers, geometry and most importantly, place value. The introduction of algebraic thinking is an important aspect of the course as well. Writing variable expressions, equalities and functional thinking begins in the early years of education. As early as preschool children should experience algebraic ideas in order to fully understand basic math concepts.

Mathematical understanding is extremely important in order for our students to be able to move ahead in their mathematical education. A strong foundation is needed in order for our students to progress to the high school level of mathematics. Participants actively participate in learning strategies that give them a deeper understanding of the skills and concepts that they will bring into their own classrooms.

Course participants develop a deeper understanding of math concepts while learning tutoring strategies and activities that can be used in a small group setting. This course creates a greater appreciation for the in-depth understanding of mathematical concepts and skills. Basic tutoring strategies and small group management techniques are integrated throughout the course to provide a productive and engaging environment for meaningful academic learning and to facilitate social and emotional growth. PLN’s Math Frameworks: The Five Math Processes and The Four Lenses of Learning are introduced and integrated throughout the course.