Burnaby Math

In the face of these unusual, once-in-a-career type challenges we are facing, I encourage all teachers to keep calm and go slowly. My best advice…think about what you would like your students to learn that are the essential components of the year/course. Then devise a learning plan, and cut it in half. In these extraordinary circumstances, we must be realistic in our expectations, and especially attentive to issues of equity. Who has support at home? Who has access to digital learning? What can we do to support our most vulnerable learners?

I have put together a document with some starting places for distance learning. You will notice on that list that both Nelson and Pearson have opened up their on-line resources for free. We also have Zorbits –primary math on-line–offering free accounts for parents and teachers. I offer these with some reserve, because now is not the time to increase your cognitive load as teachers to use new resources. This is a menu of items, but just choose the one or two that work for you to enhance your practice.

Please contact me, through school e-mail at Donna.Morgan@burnabyschools.ca or through my phone (number available via Inside41 directory) if you have questions. Follow me on twitter @DonnaMorgan8 for daily activities (like Shut the Box at left) and updates.

I will be trying to upgrade and improve this blog to help you more. Let me know what you would like!

Gauss/Mirzakhani/Abel

Our Elementary math contests are still scheduled to go ahead as usual…although if there is no school in May, I will find an alternate format for the Mirzakhani and Abel. The CEMC will make a decision about the Gauss by mid-April. So unfortunately I will continue to nag schools for their order numbers in the meantime.

Stay Safe.

-Donna

 

Where did September go? It must be the fastest month in our calendar. I hope all teachers are settled and enjoying the new school year. 

Fall Math Workshops

If you haven’t already done so, you might want to sign up for our fall workshops.

In our two Diving Deeper In Math series (one is for primary teachers, the other intermediate), we will be examining how to strengthen our learners’ curricular competencies as we teach math content. These series involve 3 dinner sessions and one half day (Nov 22) with Carole Fullerton. Participants will also receive a Fullerton resource of their choice.

Our fall book club for K-5 is Number Sense Routines. Participants will receive either the K-3 or 3-5 book of their choice.

You can also plan now for January, as the legendary Box Cars and One Eyed Jacks authors will be doing an after school workshop on January 9th.

You can sign up for these offerings on the staff development calendar.

For secondary teachers, I am offering to support collaboration at each school. Feel free to contact me at Donna.Morgan@burnabyschools.ca for more information.

 

Resources to Check Out

Robert Kaplinsky’s blog (click on image below) is a great resource of open middle questions, professional development videos about math (including a completely astonishing story about 8th grade students answering an impossible math question) and other delights.  I urge you to spend some time on this excellent site.

 

A new book that I am starting is called Necessary Conditions: Teaching Secondary Math With Academic Safety, Quality Tasks, and Effective Facilitation.  Coming soon to a book club in Burnaby, I suspect.

 

Math Games Nights

Dates are booking up as several elementary schools are holding successful games nights for parents.  Show parents how they can help develop numeracy in students, and have some FUN without the dreaded sheets and pages of homework. Contact me to set one up (this will work for a couple of classes or for a school-wide event).