2024 Northwest Mathematics Conference

Come find out insights on how using a proficiency based model of assessment has bolstered student engagement, achievement and self reflection in AP Calculus. Participants will also be able to get ideas on how the speaker's AP Calculus classes are structured to provide student success and reduce learning anxiety. A discussion around the usage of AP classroom as a tool to support both Calculus learning and Pre-Calculus re-learning will also take place. Come with an open mind and pick up pointers that you may be able to use in your own classroom.

Professional development needs a makeover! In this session, learn about our approach to PD design that leverages the free, powerful tools in the Desmos Classroom Activity Builder. We’ll also share why we love facilitating PD using the teacher dashboard and how it enhances the experience of both participants and facilitators. Start envisioning your next PD session using Desmos Classroom free tools!

Explore the Indigenous- Pacific Northwest Coast Minecraft World through a math lens. Participants will be introduced to the newly developed Indigenous- PNWC Minecraft World and participate in several harvest and build challenges while assisting the virtual village to prepare for winter. Use math concepts to represent indigenous teachings in a virtual world. Participants will need a personal device with the latest version of Minecraft Education downloaded.

In this session for teachers of kindergarten and grade 1 we will explore tasks, games and literature connections designed to engage our youngest students in thinking big about important mathematical concepts. Whole group lessons, hands-on explorations, centres tasks and more will be shared to involve all learners in developing number sense and the ability to communicate their emerging understandings. Together we will draw on tasks from Carole's teacher resource entitled "Good Questions for K&1", which will be available to purchase.
Come prepared to play!

A distinguishing feature of mathematics as a discipline is its precise use of definitions. Yet, that precision can be anti- democratic; in that it can impede the participation of novices such as our students .We will explore the boundaries between mental image and definition as we play with mathematical precision and determine what-really-is a vehicle, sandwich, or hexagon.

In this session for teachers of intermediate, we will engage with models and structures for assessing mathematical competence: conceptual understanding, procedural fluency and strategic flexibility. Open tasks and rich questions will be shared to engage all learners in demonstrating their mathematical capacity.