Intersections (August edition): Upcoming professional development opportunities

In this monthly column, you’ll find information about upcoming math (education)-related workshops, conferences, and other events that will take place in Saskatchewan and beyond. If travel is not an option at this time or if you prefer learning from the comfort of your own home, see the Online workshops and Continuous learning online sections below. Some events fill up fast, so don’t delay signing up! For more information about a particular event or to register, follow the link provided below the description.

If know about an event that should be on our list, please leave a comment below or contact us at ilona@smts.ca.

Within Saskatchewan 

Conferences

cropped-SMTS_Logo_RGB_noname.pngSaskatchewan Understands Math (SUM) Conference
November 4th – 5th, Saskatoon, SK
$135 (early bird), $160 (standard)
Presented by the SMTS

Our own annual conference! The Saskatchewan Understands Math (SUM) conference is for math educators teaching in K-12 who are interested in curriculum, incorporating technology, number sense, and problem solving. Join us for two days packed with learning opportunities, featuring keynote speakers Max Ray-Riek of the Math Forum at NCTM and Grace Kelemanik of the Boston Teacher Residency Program. Registration includes lunch on Friday and a two-year SMTS membership. Click here for more information and to register.

Interested in presenting? The planning committee is seeking 60-minute presentations on topics related to the teaching and learning of mathematics. Presenters will be provided with one free conference registration per session. Submit your proposal on our website by September 16, 2016.

Workshops

Number Talks and Beyond: Building Math Communities Through Classroom Conversation
August 16th, Saskatoon, SK
$110 (early bird), $150 (standard)

Presented by the Saskatchewan Professional Development Unit

Classroom discussion is a powerful tool for supporting student communication, sense-making and mathematical understanding. Curating productive math talk communities requires teachers to plan for and recognize opportunities in the live action of teaching. Come experience a variety of classroom numeracy routines including number talks, counting circles, quick images and more. Take math conversations to the next level by strengthening your skills as a facilitator of classroom discourse and student thinking.

See https://www.stf.sk.ca/professional-resources/professional-growth/events-calendar/number-talks-and-beyond-building-math

Structures for Differentiating Mathematics – Part Two
August 17th, Saskatoon, SK
$110 (early bird), $150 (standard)

Presented by the Saskatchewan Professional Development Unit

The journey continues! This workshop is for educators who have already attended the structures for elementary or middle years workshops and would like to continue refining their differentiation practices. We will share our experiences using the Assess-Respond-Instruct Cycle and then work collaboratively to plan new units of study or revise and improve existing materials.

See https://www.stf.sk.ca/professional-resources/professional-growth/events-calendar/structures-differentiating-mathematics-%E2%80%93

Structures for Differentiating Middle Years Mathematics
September 26th, Regina, SK
$110 (early bird), $150 (standard)

Presented by the Saskatchewan Professional Development Unit

We know that assessing where students are at in mathematics is essential, but what do we do when we know what they don’t know? What do we do when they DO know? Student understanding does not change unless there is an instructional response to an assessment. This workshop will introduce an Assess-Respond- Instruct Cycle in mathematics, as well as responsive stations as a classroom structure to meet individual student needs, without having to create a completely individualized mathematics program in your classroom.

See https://www.stf.sk.ca/professional-resources/professional-growth/events-calendar/structures-differentiating-middle-years-2

Number Talks and Beyond: Building Math Communities Through Classroom Conversation
November 16th, Saskatoon, SK
$110 (early bird), $150 (standard)

Presented by the Saskatchewan Professional Development Unit

Classroom discussion is a powerful tool for supporting student communication, sense-making and mathematical understanding. Curating productive math talk communities requires teachers to plan for and recognize opportunities in the live action of teaching. Come experience a variety of classroom numeracy routines including number talks, counting circles, quick images and more. Take math conversations to the next level by strengthening your skills as a facilitator of classroom discourse and student thinking.

See https://www.stf.sk.ca/professional-resources/professional-growth/events-calendar/number-talks-and-beyond-building

Beyond Saskatchewan 

MCATA Fall Conference 2016: Opening Your Mathematical Mind
October 21-22, Canmore, AB
Presented by the Mathematics Council of the Alberta Teachers’ Association

Come join the Mathematics Council of the Alberta Teachers’ Association in celebrating their annual fall conference “Opening Your Mathematical Mind” at the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre, 511 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore, Alberta. Featuring Keynote Speakers Dr. Peter Liljedahl of Simon Fraser University and Dr. Ilana Horn of Vanderbilt University.

See https://event-wizard.com/OpeningYourMathmind/0/welcome/

55th Northwest Mathematics Conference
October 21-23, Yakima, WA

The Northwest Mathematics Conference is a collaborative conference held annually, alternating between Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia. The target audience of preK-16 math educators includes pre-service, active, and retired elementary, middle, and high school teachers, community college and university instructors, math coaches, staff development specialists, and special needs and ELL math teachers.

Approximately 1,000 participants will gather in Yakima for this year’s two-day conference, which will kick off with a Maker’s Fair and is centered around the theme “What is Next in Mathematics? WIN with Math.” This year’s keynote speaker is Michael Stevens (Vsauce1); featured speakers are Steve Leinwald, Ruth Parker, and Sandy Atkins. Five strands will be highlighted across the event: Early Numeracy – Setting the Foundation for the Future; the CCSS Standards for Mathematical Practice – Engaging Students in Learning; Post-Secondary Education – Preparing for Tomorrow; STEAM – Driving Innovation in Learning, and Assessment – Deepening Understanding.

See http://www.northwestmathconference2016.org/

Online workshops

Math Daily 3
August 28–September 24
Presented by the Daily CAFE

Learn how to help your students achieve mathematics mastery through the Math Daily 3 structure, which comprises Math by Myself, Math with Someone, and Math Writing. Allison Behne covers the underlying brain research, teaching, and learning motivators; classroom design; how to create focused lessons that develop student independence; organizing student data; and differentiated math instruction. Daily CAFE online seminars combine guided instruction with additional resources you explore on your own, and are perfect for those who prefer short bursts of information combined with independent learning.

See https://www.thedailycafe.com/workshops/10000

Continuous learning online

Education Week Math Webinars
Presented by Education Week

Once a month, Education Weekly has a webinar focusing on math. They also host their previous webinars on this site. Previous webinars include Formative Assessment, Dynamic vs. Static Assessment, Productive Struggling and Differentiation.

Past webinars: http://www.edweek.org/ew/webinars/math-webinars.html
Upcoming webinars: http://www.edweek.org/ew/marketplace/webinars/webinars.html