Learning Opportunity

Elk Island Catholic- Culture of Numeracy JR. High / Open Number Lines

This session has been completed.
Facilitators: Debbie Duvall Keith Van De Keere
Date:January 22, 2015
Time:9:00 am to 3:00 pm MTN
Cost:
No Charge
Location: Sherwood Park
Session Code: 15-DD-EIC-KV-009
Focus: Mathematics and Numeracy

Target Audience

Elk Island Catholic Grades 4-6 Math Teachers

About this Learning Opportunity

What is numeracy and how does it differ from mathematics? Why is numeracy important and what is the role of elementary teachers in developing numerate students? How can teachers create a culture in their classroom that fosters numerical thinking? What can teachersdo to build on the students’ experiences in K – 3? How can they build the foundation for teaching and learning of mathematics in Jr. High? The morning will focus on discussions around these questions. Updates to the program of studies will be referenced.

The afternoon will focus on the benefits and uses of number lines. Teachers will look at what is being suggested to K – 3 teachers as lead up activities to move kids toward using an open number line. They will also practice representing student thinking on a number line. The discussion will focus on activities that help kids to “navigate” a number line, locate numbers and show additive and multiplicative strategies for solving problems.

Teachers should come prepared to engage in rich conversations and to actively participate in activities designed to engage students in thinking and reasoning mathematically.

This learning opportunity is being provided through funding from Alberta Education.

About the Facilitator

Debbie Duvall is a mathematics and numeracy consultant for the Edmonton Regional Learning Consortium. Prior to taking on this role, she worked as a consultant with Elk Island Public Schools for four years.

Debbie worked for the Ministry of Education for 12 years where she represented Alberta on the Western and Northern Canadian Protocol Common Curriculum Framework for Mathematics development team. She has represented Canada on the Board of Directors of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and served on a variety of professional development committees.

She currently travels across North America providing PD on a variety of educational topics including formative assessment, student engagement and numeracy.

Keith Van De Keere is a recently retired school administrator who has focused his last 7 years on being a Math Curriculum Coordinator and Coach for school districts, working with teachers in workshop settings as well as providing in-class support for individual teachers from Kindergarten through Grade 8.

He asks teachers to provide student focused learning within a community of learners. This requires teachers to become better “kid watchers” in order to find what is really understood by students, and then responding accordingly.

Keith has recently been chosen to work in western Canada with Cathy Fosnot to provide learning opportunities for teachers who want to create and maintain a dynamic math classroom experience for kids.