2024 Northwest Mathematics Conference

What if you could help students see slope not as an equation to memorize, but as a representation of real events? Get out of your seats to model relationships between position and time using hands-on data collection. Learn some surprising things about teaching rate of change from algebra through calculus.

Building on Thursday evening's keynote, this session will focus on some practical ways to develop mathematical "virtues", which are aspects of character / attitudes/ habits of mind / dispositions that we hope to build in our students. Examples include: curiosity, persistence in problem-solving, and an appreciation of mathematical beauty. We will also discuss ways to assess them.

Come experiences how learning grounded in creativity & art can ignite engagement, interest, & passion in all students for coding and STEAM in math. We will model pedagogical approaches that are most appropriate for students and teachers new to coding. Code music on a Micro:bit? Create beautiful geometric designs with TI-Rover?

Learn the 4-stage process to craft math pd action plans that bring alignment to fractured organizations, highlights bright spots to spread effective math teaching practices more quickly, and inspires more teachers to become lifelong learners.

High school math prepares us for our careers and everyday life but bears little resemblance to the world of math known to mathematicians – a world of imagination without regard for practical application. To share a taste of this math, I introduced “Math Appreciation” sessions into my classroom where we explore elegant mathematical ideas on topics such as knot theory, symmetry and optical illusions. Attendees of this session will experience a Math Appreciation activity and then hear about what I’ve learned, connections to the curricular competencies, thoughts on fostering a positive relationship with math, and free resources to get started.

What does it mean to belong in mathematics? Who belongs and why? These are important questions to consider when thinking about both our classrooms and our own relations towards mathematics as educators. This active discussion-based workshop will offer space for exploring how we perceive a sense of belonging in mathematics and how it can influence our decisions as teachers. Some preliminary results from exploring this topic with pre-service elementary teachers will be shared and examples of inclusive classroom design will be discussed. Come prepared to share about your views on belonging in mathematics!