Summer 2019 Offerings
PBL 101: Introductory PBL Workshop
Dates: June 24, 25, 26
Location: Nipmuc High School, 90 Pleasant St., Upton, MA
Time: 8:00-2:00
Presented By: Buck Institute for Education
Best For: K-12 Educators
Description:
3 days (consecutive) – up to 35 participants
Too many students–especially those furthest from opportunity–are unprepared for the modern economy and the challenges of the 21st century. PBL prepares students for academic, personal, and career success, and readies young people to rise to the challenges of their lives and the world they will inherit.
With Project Based Learning, teachers make learning come alive for students, unleashing a contagious, creative energy. Students work on projects that engage them in solving real-world problems or answering complex questions that are authentic and meaningful. They develop deep content knowledge and critical thinking and communication skills while developing a public product or presentation for a real audience.
Dates: June 24, 25, 26
Location: Nipmuc High School, 90 Pleasant St., Upton, MA
Time: 8:00-2:00
Presented By: Buck Institute for Education
Best For: K-12 Educators
Description:
3 days (consecutive) – up to 35 participants
- Designed for teachers, school and district leaders, instructional coaches
- Gain the knowledge and skills needed to design, assess, and manage a rigorous standards-based project.
- Actively engage in project design and generate a project plan for your own use.
- Experience a blend of direct instruction, video analysis, hands-on work, resource sharing, and peer collaboration and feedback.
- Based on BIE’s model of Gold Standard PBL and facilitated by a BIE expert National Faculty.
Too many students–especially those furthest from opportunity–are unprepared for the modern economy and the challenges of the 21st century. PBL prepares students for academic, personal, and career success, and readies young people to rise to the challenges of their lives and the world they will inherit.
With Project Based Learning, teachers make learning come alive for students, unleashing a contagious, creative energy. Students work on projects that engage them in solving real-world problems or answering complex questions that are authentic and meaningful. They develop deep content knowledge and critical thinking and communication skills while developing a public product or presentation for a real audience.
Making Sense of Math
Date: June 20th
Time: 8:00 - 4:00
Location: Stacy Middle School, Milford, MA
Presented By: Math Solutions
Best For: Middle School Math Instructors (Grades 6-8)
OVERVIEW
Among the highest priorities of current state standards is for students to build a deep understanding of mathematics and use that understanding to reason about problems, make sense of new learning, and communicate their thinking to others. This full-day course is designed to introduce participants to the processes and habits of mind students need to develop, with particular emphasis on the role of reasoning and discourse in mathematics. During this course, teachers will engage in reasoning and discourse, and discuss the implications for their students. In addition, they analyze the complexity of mathematical tasks and consider strategies for transforming grade-level tasks to increase the level of rigor.
OUTCOMES
For students to develop habits of mind that rely on reasoning and making sense of mathematics, teachers must provide multiple practice opportunities with mathematical tasks and questions that require students to do more than memorize a procedure or answer.
The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) recommends that teachers use tasks that:
OPENING—WELCOME, LOGISTICS, AND EXPERIENCES
Participants solve a problem that introduces them to the notion of using open tasks of high cognitive demand to engage students in the processes of thinking and reasoning to make sense of mathematics.
LOGICAL REASONING AND CLASSROOM DISCOURSE
Students should believe that mathematics makes sense. In this introductory experience, participants focus on the role of teachers and students in developing a classroom environment that supports thinking, reasoning, and sensemaking as key components of mathematics instruction and learning.
ASPECTS OF LEARNING
Through a series of mathematical investigations, participants examine progressions of content across their grade-level band domains to identify the mathematical ideas about which students need to reason and make sense.
COMPARING MATHEMATICAL TASKS
Participants engage in and reflect on two different mathematical tasks. They compare and contrast the two tasks, identifying characteristics of tasks that require the learner to use thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving skills.
TRANSFORMING TASKS
Using two different methods, participants practice transforming grade-level-appropriate tasks from those requiring a low level of thinking and reasoning into those that require a higher level of cognitive demand, as called for in current state standards.
REFLECTION AND CLOSING
Participants take time to reflect on the experiences of the day and the impact that these experiences will have on their classroom instruction.
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About Math Solutions
Math Solutions has been partnering with schools and districts to improve math instruction for more than 30 years. Founded by Marilyn Burns in 1984 and always focused exclusively on mathematics education, Math Solutions has the depth of professional development expertise to transform math instruction in your school/district. Over the years, we have supported thousands of schools and districts to build learning environments where teachers are more knowledgeable and confident about math instruction and students are more engaged and excited about learning math.
While many companies provide generic professional learning services, Math Solutions is the sole expert in mathematics professional learning. Math Solutions draws upon years of classroom-grounded research and extensive knowledge of curricula and state standards, to provide the highest-quality face to face courses, coaching, and resources, all developed and delivered by experts in math education. Math Solutions has identified the four Guiding Principles to be essential to improving instruction and student outcomes. These Guiding Principles are the foundation of all the professional learning we provide and ensure that educators:
Date: June 20th
Time: 8:00 - 4:00
Location: Stacy Middle School, Milford, MA
Presented By: Math Solutions
Best For: Middle School Math Instructors (Grades 6-8)
OVERVIEW
Among the highest priorities of current state standards is for students to build a deep understanding of mathematics and use that understanding to reason about problems, make sense of new learning, and communicate their thinking to others. This full-day course is designed to introduce participants to the processes and habits of mind students need to develop, with particular emphasis on the role of reasoning and discourse in mathematics. During this course, teachers will engage in reasoning and discourse, and discuss the implications for their students. In addition, they analyze the complexity of mathematical tasks and consider strategies for transforming grade-level tasks to increase the level of rigor.
OUTCOMES
- Discern how mathematical tasks and questions differ with respect to the level of thinking required to solve them
- Deepen understanding that learning mathematics involves students’ constructing ideas and systems
- Recognize the role of productive discourse in students’ mathematical reasoning and sense-making
For students to develop habits of mind that rely on reasoning and making sense of mathematics, teachers must provide multiple practice opportunities with mathematical tasks and questions that require students to do more than memorize a procedure or answer.
The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) recommends that teachers use tasks that:
- Invite exploration of important mathematical concepts
- Allow students the opportunity to solidify and extend knowledge
- Encourage students to make connections and develop a coherent framework for mathematical ideas
- Call for problem formulation, problem solving, and mathematical reasoning
- Provide more than one solution path
- Promote the development of all students’ dispositions to do math
OPENING—WELCOME, LOGISTICS, AND EXPERIENCES
Participants solve a problem that introduces them to the notion of using open tasks of high cognitive demand to engage students in the processes of thinking and reasoning to make sense of mathematics.
LOGICAL REASONING AND CLASSROOM DISCOURSE
Students should believe that mathematics makes sense. In this introductory experience, participants focus on the role of teachers and students in developing a classroom environment that supports thinking, reasoning, and sensemaking as key components of mathematics instruction and learning.
ASPECTS OF LEARNING
Through a series of mathematical investigations, participants examine progressions of content across their grade-level band domains to identify the mathematical ideas about which students need to reason and make sense.
COMPARING MATHEMATICAL TASKS
Participants engage in and reflect on two different mathematical tasks. They compare and contrast the two tasks, identifying characteristics of tasks that require the learner to use thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving skills.
TRANSFORMING TASKS
Using two different methods, participants practice transforming grade-level-appropriate tasks from those requiring a low level of thinking and reasoning into those that require a higher level of cognitive demand, as called for in current state standards.
REFLECTION AND CLOSING
Participants take time to reflect on the experiences of the day and the impact that these experiences will have on their classroom instruction.
---------------------------------------
About Math Solutions
Math Solutions has been partnering with schools and districts to improve math instruction for more than 30 years. Founded by Marilyn Burns in 1984 and always focused exclusively on mathematics education, Math Solutions has the depth of professional development expertise to transform math instruction in your school/district. Over the years, we have supported thousands of schools and districts to build learning environments where teachers are more knowledgeable and confident about math instruction and students are more engaged and excited about learning math.
While many companies provide generic professional learning services, Math Solutions is the sole expert in mathematics professional learning. Math Solutions draws upon years of classroom-grounded research and extensive knowledge of curricula and state standards, to provide the highest-quality face to face courses, coaching, and resources, all developed and delivered by experts in math education. Math Solutions has identified the four Guiding Principles to be essential to improving instruction and student outcomes. These Guiding Principles are the foundation of all the professional learning we provide and ensure that educators:
- Know the math they need to teach— know it well and flexibly enough to understand various solution paths to increase students’ reasoning of mathematics. Math Solutions increases teachers’ math content knowledge necessary to deliver effective classroom instruction.
- Understand the conditions necessary for learning, so they may understand deeply the unique conditions necessary for student learning in mathematics— what they need to provide and what students must make sense of for themselves
- Recognize each student’s strengths and weaknesses, content knowledge, reasoning strategies, and misconceptions.
- Have the expertise to make math accessible for all students, to ask questions that reveal and build understanding, and help students make sense of and solve problems.
K-5 Science Trainings
The following three K-5 Science trainings will be offered by Katie Clarke and Andrew Miller from Teachers 21. You can sign up for them individually or sign up for all three.
Katie Clarke taught Engineering & Design at the Pollard Middle School in Needham for 10 years where she was also responsible for researching and writing the Engineering and Design curriculum for grades seven and eight. Prior to teaching E & D, Katie taught 8th grade science for eight years. She is the Director of the LIFT2 (Leadership Initiatives for Teaching and Technology) Program, an innovative professional learning program for middle and high school science, technology, engineering and math teachers. Katie completed the TUFTS CEEO Engineering Program and The JASON Program for STEM Teaching. In 2008 she was awarded the Above and Beyond Award for Excellence in STEM Teaching by the Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council. Katie has a BS in Chemistry from Bridgewater State University and an MS in STEM Education from Fitchburg State University.
In addition to being the LIFT2 Program Director, she is also a DESE Instructor, a Teachers 21 Instructor, and a STEM teacher a Framingham State University.
Katie Clarke taught Engineering & Design at the Pollard Middle School in Needham for 10 years where she was also responsible for researching and writing the Engineering and Design curriculum for grades seven and eight. Prior to teaching E & D, Katie taught 8th grade science for eight years. She is the Director of the LIFT2 (Leadership Initiatives for Teaching and Technology) Program, an innovative professional learning program for middle and high school science, technology, engineering and math teachers. Katie completed the TUFTS CEEO Engineering Program and The JASON Program for STEM Teaching. In 2008 she was awarded the Above and Beyond Award for Excellence in STEM Teaching by the Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council. Katie has a BS in Chemistry from Bridgewater State University and an MS in STEM Education from Fitchburg State University.
In addition to being the LIFT2 Program Director, she is also a DESE Instructor, a Teachers 21 Instructor, and a STEM teacher a Framingham State University.
K-5 STE Physical Science Standards with Katie Clarke
Date: Monday, June 24th, 2019
Time: 8:30 - 2:00
Location: Frederick Hartnett Middle School, 35 Federal St, Blackstone, MA 01504
Description:
This workshop has been designed to give K-5 teachers who teach science a deeper understanding of the content in the area of Physical Science. Participants will explore scientific vocabulary associated with each sub-strand and learn ways to introduce these terms to their students using a variety of resources including technology. The instructor will model effective ways to teach science vocabulary while the participants learn or re-learn the content in these areas. Participants will walk away with a deeper understanding of the science content and critical thinking skills associated with the 2016 MA STE standards. After completing this workshop, teachers should feel confident about their understanding of the content and better equipped to teach these standards to students.
K-5 STE Earth Science Standards with Katie Clarke
Date: Tuesday, June 25th, 2019
Time: 8:30 - 2:00
Location: Frederick Hartnett Middle School, 35 Federal St, Blackstone, MA 01504
Description:
This workshop has been designed to give K-5 teachers who teach science a deeper understanding of the content in the area of Earth Science. Participants will explore scientific vocabulary associated with each sub-strand and learn ways to introduce these terms to their students using a variety of resources including technology. The instructor will model effective ways to teach science vocabulary while the participants learn or re-learn the content in these areas. Participants will walk away with a deeper understanding of the science content and critical thinking skills associated with the 2016 MA STE standards. After completing this workshop, teachers should feel confident about their understanding of the content and better equipped to teach these standards to students.
K-5 STE Life Science Standards with Andrew Miller
Date: Wednesday, June 26th, 2019
Time: 8:30 - 2:00
Location: Frederick Hartnett Middle School, 35 Federal St, Blackstone, MA 01504
Description:
This workshop has been designed to give K-5 teachers who teach science a deeper understanding of the content in the area of Life Science. Participants will explore scientific vocabulary associated with each sub-strand and learn ways to introduce these terms to their students using a variety of resources including technology. The instructor will model effective ways to teach science vocabulary while the participants learn or re-learn the content in these areas. Participants will walk away with a deeper understanding of the science content and critical thinking skills associated with the 2016 MA STE standards. After completing this workshop, teachers should feel confident about their understanding of the content and better equipped to teach these standards to students.
Date: Monday, June 24th, 2019
Time: 8:30 - 2:00
Location: Frederick Hartnett Middle School, 35 Federal St, Blackstone, MA 01504
Description:
This workshop has been designed to give K-5 teachers who teach science a deeper understanding of the content in the area of Physical Science. Participants will explore scientific vocabulary associated with each sub-strand and learn ways to introduce these terms to their students using a variety of resources including technology. The instructor will model effective ways to teach science vocabulary while the participants learn or re-learn the content in these areas. Participants will walk away with a deeper understanding of the science content and critical thinking skills associated with the 2016 MA STE standards. After completing this workshop, teachers should feel confident about their understanding of the content and better equipped to teach these standards to students.
K-5 STE Earth Science Standards with Katie Clarke
Date: Tuesday, June 25th, 2019
Time: 8:30 - 2:00
Location: Frederick Hartnett Middle School, 35 Federal St, Blackstone, MA 01504
Description:
This workshop has been designed to give K-5 teachers who teach science a deeper understanding of the content in the area of Earth Science. Participants will explore scientific vocabulary associated with each sub-strand and learn ways to introduce these terms to their students using a variety of resources including technology. The instructor will model effective ways to teach science vocabulary while the participants learn or re-learn the content in these areas. Participants will walk away with a deeper understanding of the science content and critical thinking skills associated with the 2016 MA STE standards. After completing this workshop, teachers should feel confident about their understanding of the content and better equipped to teach these standards to students.
K-5 STE Life Science Standards with Andrew Miller
Date: Wednesday, June 26th, 2019
Time: 8:30 - 2:00
Location: Frederick Hartnett Middle School, 35 Federal St, Blackstone, MA 01504
Description:
This workshop has been designed to give K-5 teachers who teach science a deeper understanding of the content in the area of Life Science. Participants will explore scientific vocabulary associated with each sub-strand and learn ways to introduce these terms to their students using a variety of resources including technology. The instructor will model effective ways to teach science vocabulary while the participants learn or re-learn the content in these areas. Participants will walk away with a deeper understanding of the science content and critical thinking skills associated with the 2016 MA STE standards. After completing this workshop, teachers should feel confident about their understanding of the content and better equipped to teach these standards to students.