PCMI @ MathForum: 2002-2003 Notes from the Field

2002-2003 Notes from the Field

To build a core group of users for the PCMI @ Math Forum resources, participants of the High School Teacher Program offered the following workshops.

[Jul - Aug] [Sep - Oct] [Nov - Dec] [Jan - Feb] [Mar - Apr] [May - Jun]

Ontario Fathom Workshop - Toronto, Canada: Dates: July 22 - 25, 2002; Presenters: Beverly Farahani and Tom Steinke; Description: The focus was to help introduce teachers to Fathom and how to use it in the classroom. We used the biased rectangle handouts created this summer as part of the course. It was well received.
Geometry "Intensive" week for Math Strand of Teaching and Learning Partnership program - University of Washington, Seattle WA: Dates: August 5 - 9, 2002; Presenters: Jim King, Art Mabbott; Description: This week of geometry is part of an experimental program to prepare new middle school math and science teachers.
For more information view: TLP Math Intensive - Geometry
Centers of Mass of Polygons NWMI Alumni Weekend- Seattle, Washington: Dates: August, 2002; Presenters: Troy Jones; Description: Balancing Polygon Regions, Perimeters, and Vertices
Summer Geometry Workshop The Great Lakes Initiative for Math (GLIMmers), the University of Michigan Professional Development and Outreach group of the Park City Math Institute: Dates: August 5 - 8, 2002; Presenters: Professor Roger Verhey, Lynette Angood, Nancy Birkenhauer, Don Davenport, Sue Hannon, Karen Ludema, Marie Lusk, Terry Stoneburner, Dave Voyt; Description:This workshop emphasizes the constructivist learning philosophy through hands-on activities. Each day begins with a look at what research says about brain-based learning and teaching and applies this understanding to the activities of the workshop.; The goals of this summer workshop are: to deepen and broaden understanding of geometry topics relevant to grades 7-12; to experience the use of tools and manipulatives for learning geometry; to learn what research says about the brain and teaching and learning; to empower teachers to translate this understanding into more effective pedagogy; to experience the use of dynamic geometry software (Sketchpad 4.0) and data analysis software (FATHOM) which engages students in inquiry-based learning; to facilitate substantive discourse with other teachers of mathematics; and to demonstrate the usefulness of incorporating writing in the mathematics curriculum.
Getting Ready for the 2002-2003 School Year Aldine Independent School District In-Service Presentation, Eisenhower High School, Houston Texas: Date: August 6, 2002; Presenter: Nicholas Salvatore; Description: Reflection on effective teaching of mathematics; what does it mean to teach mathematics; effective teaching strategies; over coming barriers to learning; use of internet resources to assist in lesson preparation and classroom activities such as http://mathforum.org and http://mathforum.org/pcmi/
Summer Geometry Institute for Teachers University of Washington, Seattle, WA: Dates: August 11 - 16, 2002; Presenters: Carol Hattan, Art Mabbott, Kris Koch, Carol Haid, Joyce Frost, Gary Kovacs, James King, Ronda Webber, Will Webber; Description: A variety of topics are investigated using a wide spectrum of active and hands-on approaches, from paper-folding and polyhedral models to Geometer's Sketchpad.
NWMI Investigations Math Minicourses University of Washington, Seattle, WA: Dates: August 12 - 15, 2002; Description: Each minicourse offers 15 hours of hands-on, in-depth exploration of a fascinating math topic relevant to school mathematics.
Fractals: an Introduction
Instructors: Will Webber, Ronda Webber
Data Analysis and Collection University of Washington
Instructors: Philip Mallinson, Carol Hattan
Integrating Geometer's Sketchpad 4.0 across the Curriculum
Instructors: James King, Art Mabbott, Linda Thornberry
Middle School Math Mastery with Mind-Blowing Manipulatives
Instructors: Joyce Frost and Michael Naylor
Nodes and Networks: The Mathematics of Connection
Instructor: Brian Hopkins
Active Transformational Geometry
Instructors: James King
NWMI Alumni Reunion Workshop University of Washington, Seattle, WA: Dates: August 10 - 11, 2002; Presenters: Philip Mallinson, Michael Naylor, Ronda Webber, Will Webber, Troy Jones, Peg Cagle, Art Mabbott, Joyce Frost, Carol Hattan, Gary Kovacs, Kris Koch, Brian Hopkins, and Jim King
Ontario Senior Math Curriculum - Ontario, Canada: Dates: August 19 - 22, 2002; Presenters: Beverly Farahani; Description: There were 15 participnats. The focus was to introduce teachers to TI-83+ calculators, TI Interactive, TI Connect and the new curriculum.
Ontario Fathom Workshop - Kingston, Canada: Dates: August 26 - 29, 2002; Presenters: Beverly Farahani and Gord Cooke; Description: The focus was to help introduce teachers to Fathom and how to use it in the classroom. We used the biased rectangle handouts created this summer as part of the course. It was well received.
Fathom Workshop - Canada: Dates: October 1, 2002; Presenters: Beverly Farahani; Description: There were approximately 25 people from two different school districts at each presentation. The focus was connecting Fathom to the new grade 12 course, Data Management. I included the biased rectangle activity we created this summer. The first workshop I also used the reading the newspaper activity from Data in Depth. I am able to use the activities from the book, because all Ontario schools have a site license as well as copies of Data in Depth.
The Divine Proportion: Appearances of the Golden Ratio in Geometry NCTM Western Regional Conference - Salt Lake City, Utah: Dates: October 2, 2002; Presenters: Troy Jones; Description: Construction of the Golden Section and its appearances in Polygons, Polyhedra, and Crescent Shapes
Creating Connections Through Creative Conic Constructions Ohio Council of Teachers of Mathematics Annual Conference - Cincinnati, OH: Dates: October 10 - 12, 2002; Presenters: Steve Phelps; Description: Participants in this workshop will explore non-traditional, hands-on constructions of the Ellipses, Hyperbolas, and Parabolas, as well as through modeling the constructions on the TI-92 plus. The focus (get it) will be on proving the constructions produce the desired conic. Connections from algebra through calculus will be discussed.
Developing and Understanding Probability Concepts Marquette, Michigan: Date: October 11, 2002; Presenters: David Kapolka, Marie Lusk; Description: To help teachers and their students understand probability by working with problems designed to improve your own understanding of probability and Michigan's benchmarks. Technology includes graphing calculators, computers and Fathom Software.
Recursion, Medicine, and 3D Fractals Marquette, Michigan: Date: October 11, 2002; Presenters: David Kapolka; Description: Participants worked on problems and visualizations using technology to anaylze the effects of long term medication on the human body. We also studied 3D fractals, built models of fractals, and worked on equations to model the fractals.
3-D Geometry Activities and More! Marquette, Michigan: Date: October 11, 2002; Presenters: Marie Lusk; Description: This workshop engages participants in hands-on activities within cooperative groups involving 3-dimensional figures. Members will work on a "Build-It" activity, "Fold" a circle, construct a 3-D "Mobile," and discover different types of angle by "Coloring" the angles of a triangle, using tessellations.
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words; But That's Only 2-D! 41st Northwest Mathematics Conference - Portland, Oregon: Date: October 11, 2002; Presenter: Joyce Frost; Description: Extend and apply geometric properties, concepts, and constructions into three-dimensional space by building fascinating space filling polyhedra dissection puzzles.
Exploring the Central Limit by Simulating Sampling Distributions Georgia Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conference, Rock Eagle: Date: October 18, 2002; Presenter: Patricia Daniel; Description: Participants will use calculators to obtain repeated samples from various distributions. They will explore the relationship between the sample, the sampling distribution, and the populations.
Monthly Colloquium Department of Mathematics at Queen's University: Dates: October 25, 2002; Presenters: Beverly Farahani with 2 other people from her district; Description: The topic was the difference between the new 4 year math curriculum and the old 5 year curriculum. My contribution was to talk about two things: the changes in the Calculus curriculum and then the use of technology in the high school mathematics class.
Geometry with a Twist! Polygons in Space California Mathematics Council - Southern Section Conference - Palm Springs, CA: Date: November 8 - 10, 2002; Presenter: Susan Mussack; Description: Teachers create spiral sculptures from cardboard and tape. The spiral tranforms from 2 dimensions to 3 dimensions. This highly motivating project connects art, science and math.
Finite Differences and Figurate Numbers California Mathematics Council - Southern Section Conference - Palm Springs, CA: Date: November 8 - 10, 2002; Presenter: Peg Cagle; Description: An exploration and analysis of the patterns inherent in both two and three dimensional figurate numbers, including their graphs and equations.
Session at The Detroit Area Council of Teachers of Mathematics - Detroit, Michigan: Dates: November 9, 2002; Presenters: Beverly Farahani and Don Davenport; Description: I used the random walk and limits involving area and perimeter from the workshop guide. Don introduced sliders.
Fathom Workshop - Canada: Dates: November 15, 2002; Presenters: Beverly Farahani; Description: There were approximately 25 people from two different school districts at each presentation. The focus was connecting Fathom to the new grade 12 course, Data Management. I included the biased rectangle activity we created this summer. The first workshop I also used the reading the newspaper and the random walk activities from Data in Depth. I am able to use the activities from the book, because all Ontario schools have a site license as well as copies of Data in Depth.
Designing and Implementing Inquiry-Based Lessons iDiscovery - Miami (OH) University: Dates: Fall Semester October through December, 2002; Presenter: Steve Phelps; Description: This is an online workshop in which participants will create inquiry lessons for their classrooms, reflect on the implementation and successes, and publish them on the web.
Technology for Statistics and Precalculus University of Chicago: Dates: Nov. 9 & 10, 2002; Presenters: David Kapolka; Description: Participants were introduced to Fathom and the Texas Instruments Voyager 200 graphing calculator. All participants also received demo versions of Fathom and Fathom workshop guides.
NWMI Presents A Free All-Day Math Workshop Bellingham, WA: Date: November 16, 2002; Title: Big Puzzles
Presenter: Ronda Webber
Description: Starting with miniature dinosaur puzzles and piles of stuff, we will work in teams to build BIG dinosaurs that are similar to our little ones.; Title: A Head For Numbers
Presenter: Michael Naylor
Description: Take a walk through the houses in your head as we learn how to use image linking to develop incredible memory skills. We will also learn a system used by memory masters to remember any number, be it a phone number, credit card number, PIN, or thousands of digits of pi.; Title: Solving the Three Jug Problem with Triangular Trips
Presenter: Jim King
Description: Starting with an 8-pint jug filled with water and empty 5-pint and 3-pint jugs, pour liquid back and forth to divide the water equally. We will solve this and similar problems visually using trips on a triangle.; Title: Six-Pin Bowling: An Activity in Other Bases
Presenter: Will Webber
Description: Let's go bowling. Six-pin bowling. If you buy a toy bowling set for your kid it probably comes with six pins, not the usual ten. This begs the question: how should a game of six-pin bowling be structured? How should it be scored? The answers lead to some interesting activities with arithmetic in number bases other than ten.
Workshop - Mathematics Professional Development Day: Dates: November 22, 2002; Presenters: Beverly Farahani; Description: The morning session was an introduction to Fathom. I used the reading the newspaper activity from Data in Depth and showed how to import data from the DAZL website into Fathom. The afternoon session dealt with simulations using Random Walk from Data in Depth and then use of sliders and random numbers with limits involving are and perimeter, also from Data in Depth.
Probability, Statistics, and Fathom Michigan Council of Teachers of Mathematics Annual Meeting - Grand Rapids, Michigan: Date: January 2003; Presenters: David Kapolka, Marie Lusk; Description: Attendees will participate in 3 after school workshops dealing with Fathom software and appropriate probability and statistics problems tied in to the state assessment benchmarks. Workshops will be three consecutive Wednesdays at Forest Hills Northern HS.
Technology and Data Analysis Grand Valley State University "Math in Action Conference", Grand Rapids, Michigan: Dates: Feb. 27, 2003; Presenters: David Kapolka; Description: Participants will use Fathom and graphing calculators to analyze data using advanced techniques.
NWMI Spring Workshop John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence, Seattle, WA: Date: March 1, 2003; Presenters: Art Mabbott, Brian Hopkins, Richard Jennings, Gary Kovacs, Joe Frost, and Joyce Frost; Description: The program includes Kevin Bacon and Networks; Using Mathematical Modeling to Engage Students; Enhance Student Learning with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; Projects using Tetra-Tetra-Flexagons; and Do Calculators and Computers Lie?
Workshop for New Technology Forest Hills Northern HS, G.R. Michigan: Dates: March 1, 12, 19, and 26, 2003; Presenters: Lynette Angood, Bev Farahani, David Kapolka, Dave Voyt; Description: One all day Saturday workshop to introduce participants to GeoSketchpad 4, Fathom, and advanced Graphing Calculator topics. The three followup Wednesdays involved lesson design and further study of the three topics with David Kapolka as instructor.
Creating Connections through Alternative Conic Constructions Teachers Teaching with Technology International Conference - Nashville, TN: Dates: March 7 - 9, 2003; Presenters: Steve Phelps; Description: Also could be titled "Conics You Can Make in a Restaurant." Particpants will experience how conic constructions are introduced through hands-on materials that are found in restaurants. They will model these constuctions the TI-92 Plus with Cabri. The focus will be on proving these constructions produce the desired conics.
Inversion and Inversive Geometry on the TI-92 Plus Teachers Teaching with Technology International Conference - Nashville, TN: Dates: March 7 - 9, 2003; Presenters: Steve Phelps; Description: Participants will explore the little used F5:6:INVERSE command in Cabri Geometry. Participants will learn about the properties of inversive geometry, explore congruent shapes, construct inversive images, and see practical applications of inversion.
Figurate Numbers and Finite Differences California Association for the Gifted 41st Annual Conference - Santa Clara, California: Date: March 8, 2003; Presenter: Peg Cagle; Description: An exploration and analysis of the patterns inherent in both two and three dimensional figurate numbers, including their graphs and equations. Special focus on the use of independent study as a means of differentiating the curriculum to meet the needs of mathematically precocious students.
Action Research: Japanese Lesson Study F.W. Parker Charter Essential School: Date: March 20, 2003; Presenters: Melanie Palma, Gena Merliss, and Diane Kruse; Description: As part of a year-long action research project, three teachers from Parker used the Japanese Lesson Study model in their own school. This presentation to their colleagues is a summary of their work and implications for the future of this practice in their school.
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words; But That's Only 2-D! 81st National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conference - San Antonio, Texas: Date: April 10, 2003; Presenter: Joyce Frost; Description: Extend and apply geometric properties, concepts, and constructions into three-dimensional space by building fascinating space filling polyhedra dissection puzzles.
Recursion, Medicine, and 3D Fractals 81st National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conference - San Antonio, Texas: Dates: April 12, 2003; Presenters: David Kapolka; Description: Participants worked on problems and visualizations using technology to anaylze the effects of long term medication on the human body. We also studied 3D fractals, built models of fractals, and worked on equations to model the fractals.
Recursion, 3-D Fractals, and Medicine T-Cubed Regional Conference - Adrian, Michigan: Dates: May 9-10, 2003; Presenters: David Kapolka; Description: Using function, sequence, and parametric mode, we will explore current and future terms of convergent and divergent sequences. Ever wonder how a mega dose or daily dose of medicine affects you? Explore a 3D fractal solution to the Tower of Hanoi, medical and environmental applications of convergence. We will also examine the reliability of medical tests, pregnancy tests, and diabetes tests. A rich variety of calculator tools for instruction.
Curve Fitting for Fun! T-Cubed Regional Conference - Adrian, Michigan: Dates: May 9-10, 2003; Presenters: David Kapolka; Description: Using CBL and CBR lets explore ways to get students to understand curve fitting of sound and heart rate (sinusoidal) and motion (exponential decay) "by hand" and with the technology. Some of my most successful "quick" and fun activities for students.
Educational Support District 121: Date: 2003; Description: Kris has been chosen to be the independent third party monitor of the NoLimits Grant for ESD 121. Kris will conduct a case study for Western Washington University. The grant gives clustors of middle school teachers $5000 each to spend on technology of their choice and provides Mentor Support to assist them as they incorporate the technology into their teaching.
PCMI Math Workshop Macomb County ISD, Michigan: Dates: June 23-26, 2003; Presenters: Marie Lusk, Lynette Angood, Don Davenport, David Kapolka, Melissa Cragg, Karen Ludema, Dave Voyt, Sue Hannon; Description: This 4 day workshop includes 5 strands offered daily. The strands are: 2-dimensional and transformational geometry, GeoSketchpad, Fathom, Activities and Projects for 3-D geometry, and finally, misc. fun activities to challenge the mind.
The Statistics of Algebra Ballard High School, Louisville, Kentucky: Dates: June 23-27, 2003; Presenters: Jennifer Berryhill, Patty Boyd, Dave Hernandez, Erin Schneider; Description: This was a week long workshop where middle and high school algebra teachers covered a wide range of topics in data analysis. Each morning included lessons and activities on simple data analysis and curve fitting (uni-variate data, linear, quadratic, and exponential), followed by an afternoon session working with the Fathom software on the same activities. As a result, teachers experienced a wide range of analytical tools that could be used in the classroom culminating with Fathom. Each of the 30 participants received a student version of the software, along with other valuable resources.
Usiing Manipulatives: "Hands-On" Opportunities Really Make a Difference! Washington State ParaEducator Conference, Yakima, WA: Dates: June 24-25, 2003; Presenters: Kris Koch; Description: Current research supports the increased use of manipulatives to teach or reinforce math concepts. Unfortunately few para-educators feel comfortable using these materials. During the session, participants engaged in a variety of "hands-on" experiences that focused on the use of manipulatives to increase students' level of understanding of math concepts such as computation with integers, understanding fractional "parts-versus-wholes", and first and second level Van Heile geometry vocabulary.; The New "No Child Left Behind" national policies have created a need for paraeducators to be certified by a state-mandated variety of processes or lose their jobs by being deemed "unqualified" regardless of their years experience and employee evaluations. In Washington state, para-educators must get an Associate degree, take part in a lengthly portfolio process, or provide a transcript showing proof of college credits, "clock" hours, or their equivalent. Educational Support Districts are stepping in to provide these opportunities.