The PCMI 2015 Summer Session has three strands:

Math Course: Some Applications of Geometric Thinking

(2 hours per day, 5 days per week)

Participants in this course will exercise some geometric habits of mind like creating functions that can give insight on a geometric problem, or looking for things that don't change when the inputs of a function change. We'll apply these habits to a wide variety of situations, including geometric optimization and the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra. We will explore some of these topics using dynamic geometry environments.

 

Reflecting on Practice: Using Formative Assessment to Inform Instruction

(75 minutes per day, 5 days per week, plus opportunities for informal sessions in late afternoon and evenings)

How can you figure out what students are thinking about math? And then, what do you do with what you hear? Participants will consider research related to teaching and learning mathematics with a particular focus on student thinking and how it can be used to shape instruction and confront misconceptions. The discussion will be grounded in the study of lessons and classroom practice in both the United States and other countries as participants work collaboratively to better understand how they can design and use formative assessment in their own classrooms.

 

Working Groups

(2 hours, 4 days a week)

As part of the summer activities, each participant selected for the Teacher Leadership Program will be assigned to a small team that will focus on an activity related to the Common Core State Standards in Mathematics or to related state standards, either for use with students or for professional development with teachers or to one of five special working groups. The working groups are:

• Algebraic Geometry
• Geometry Course
• Lesson Study
• PD Development
• Alternative Assessments
• Differentiate This
• Effective Formative Assessments
• Functions
• Growth Mindset
• Let's Talk about Math
• Looking Ahead in Algebra
• Mathematical Practice Standard 3
• Middle School Progressions
• MP7 in 8
• Problem Based Learning (Part 1)
• Problem Based Learning Coalescing
• Ready, Set, PBL!
• Taking Time to Talk
• Using Project Based Assessement
• Writing and Mathematics
• TLP Live: A PCMI online community
• Weekend Course Development

The teams will be responsible for

• producing lesson plans or activities for teachers to use in their classrooms and/or workshops
• preparing implementation strategies for dissemination of the materials
• planning follow-up Teacher Leadership Program activities for the academic year