For more information on the many available institutes, click on the "Building Math Power" link to the left.
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***Math Best Practices - Math STARS: Successfully Teaching the ARizona (Math) Standards (or any state for that matter!)
Your state standards truly provide a rich framework for teaching mathematics…it just may take some wading through the verbiage to see what’s really there! In this course, we examine the big picture of mathematics as well as the big ideas of each strand of your State Mathematics Standard. We then explore engaging, classroom-tested activities for making each strand of mathematics come to life. Integrated throughout the course we will focus on proven effective strategies for improving student achievement including direct vocabulary development, writing & presenting techniques, higher-level questioning, and manipulatives management.
This course can range from 15 to 30 hour and can be customized for any state’s mathematics standards. In the 30-hour version, approximately five hours are spent on each of the following strands: 1. number sense; 2. data analysis, probability, and discrete math; 3. patterns, algebra, and functions;4. geometry; 5. measurement; and 6. mathematical structure and logic (combined with the process standards). A focused analysis of the state and/or district math standard is the backbone of each session. As teachers familiarize themselves with the state/district math framework, engaging, research-based, classroom-tested activities are shared for teaching the performance objectives in relevant, meaningful ways. Each segment can also be broken down into 1-day sessions covering one specific strand.