EDUC357

Description

One of the most important goals in any math classroom is to create confident problem solvers who communicate their thinking and the reasoning behind it as they experience how math can help them learn about their world. Have fun making math come alive with us as we explore, discuss, and write about the ways we understand concepts found in the mathematical practice and content standards through connection to the learners in our classrooms. In this 4-credit graduate course, we will explore why things work the way they do, focusing on the entire thought process and the ways it can lead to discoveries. A large part of helping students make sense of mathematics is knowing where they're coming from and where they are going, so we'll work as a team both to experience and create interactive lessons across grade levels K-12 that support and extend the thinking of ALL of our students. Experiment with geometry, algebra, number sense including fraction sense, and more, and discover and create valuable manipulatives, resources, and activity ideas to take back to your own classrooms. Prepare to experience "a-ha" moments of your own, which will rejuvenate your excitement about math! As a final summer project due after the final day, participants will research and prepare a unit collection of lesson plans and activities to use with their own students. Exact due date will depend upon the participant's role (elementary MAT, secondary math MAT, full-time WPS teacher).