Summer TCS-EMT Institute - July 2017

Our TCS-EMT (Elementary Math Teacher) Group met on July 10^th & 11^th. We began by discussing the current state of math instruction in the United States and more specifically, in Alabama.  We talked about the progress we have made in our district regarding math instruction, and the opportunities we have for continued improvement.  We focused on results from a survey administered to our grade 3-5 students in May 2017.  This feedback affirms the direction we are moving with our elementary math instruction.  Students mentioned the following as major contributing factors to their growth as mathematicians.

• 
  Challenging investigations
• Ability to collaborate with peers
• Teacher encouragement
• DreamBox
• Number talks
• Class discussions
• Development of multiple strategies
• Math Menu. 

2nd Grade Teachers

We reflected on ten rules for success and what that means to us as math educators (W.Smith).

1.  Don't listen to the little man.

2.  Where you are is not where you're going to be.

3.  Make a choice.

4.  Have a purpose.

5.  Be great.

6.  Commit.

7.  Don't be outworked.

8.  Work on your skills.

9.  Let fear motivate.

10. Be amazing at what you do.

3rd Grade Teachers

We explored the difference between a fixed mindset and growth mindset (Carol Dweck) .  Our discussions were based on two different lenses:  our own mindsets and instilling a growth mindset in our students.  We gave our “fixed mindsets” (the voice inside your head that creates doubt) an identity, so we can more easily recognize and dismiss it.   

4th Grade Teachers

We spent much of the two days engaging in growth mindset activities and reading the book, “Mathematical Mindsets” by Jo Boaler.  In our reading and discussion, we focused on the 9 research findings that are game changers for math learning.

We participated in a rich, mathematical task and had a math congress where multiple solution strategies were discussed.  We reviewed effective student engagement and instructional strategies that can be utilized when facilitating a math congress.

We discussed the growth mindset classroom norms in “Mathematical Mindsets” and how those can be used to establish a growth mindset culture in the math classroom.

At the end of day 2, we took a brief, deep dive into our Unit 1 Curriculum Guides.  The two days were the start of a profound learning experience for this team of teachers.