The Summer Institute has been designed to provide an overview of the Mathematics Leadership Programme and to introduce you to the variety of activities and discussions that will take place during the seminars and mathematics classes.
Aug 28 Orientation and mathematics (joint with teacher
candidates)
We will start the day with a "hands-on"
mathematical activity which will be model for later activities in
the mathematics classes and for the kind of activities that we wish
to encourage in the programme as a whole. In the afternoon, we
will use a variety of exercises and discussion questions to reflect
on our previous mathematical experiences, both positive and
negative and, in particular to examine the common avoidance of the
subject. This day will also include an overview and discussion of
the entire programme.
Aug 29 Mathematics (joint)
Throughout this day, we will engage in 'authentic'
mathematical activity, that is, we will guess, discuss and
collaborate in exploring mathematics. We will create experiences
and investigations which structure your learning and guide your
explorations. For this day, most of our activities will have to do
with number in a broad sense, though we will indicate how our
approach will be used later in dealing with other concepts.
Aug 30 Mathematics education
This day will focus on introducing teacher research. Guest
speaker, Curt Dudley-Marling, will describe the process of action
research and offer some criteria for designing a researchable
question. MLP staff will discuss their own experiences with action
research and offer some suggestions for suitable projects.
Note: Field development staff will be available during
the lunch break for teachers to complete registration.
Fall/Winter programme
Thursdays, 5:30 - 8:30 pm
All mathematics classes are in VH 3003 and are joint sessions with teacher candidates. All seminars are in the North York Lamberton Centre (LC).
Fall 1995
Sept 14 Mathematics (VH 3003): Mathematics
investigations
A continuation of our investigations of number, including
investigations onbases, numeration systems, arithmetic operations,
laws (commutative, associative, etc.), divisibility, algorithms,
fractions, decimals, sequences, series.
Sept 21 Mathematics (VH 3003): Mathematics investigations (cont.)
Sept 28 Mathematics Education (LC): Getting started on action
research
Creating a community for teacher research: defining school
culture, teacher
collaboration and collegiality, teacher candidates' roles and
mentor relationships; developing a mission statement and adopting
a philosophy of life long learning. Developing a framework for
research including identifying general areas for investigation,
discovering research questions, planning, setting priorities and
establishing support systems.
Oct 12 Mathematics Education (LC): Reflective Practice -----
-- walking in the footsteps of my students
Examining cognitively-guided practices that enhance and
improve student learning in mathematics; inclusive education.
Action research: Identifying and refining research
questions, methods for collecting data, conducting a literature
search.
Oct 26 Mathematics (VH 3003): Curriculum
investigations
Computer investigation with Geometry Sketchpad, followed by
discussion of appropriateness of this or related tools.
Nov 9 Mathematics Education (LC): Practice informed by
constructivist principles
Investigating how children learn mathematics and planning for
instruction.
Action research: Refining the research question,
finalising research action plans.
Nov 23 Mathematics (VH 3003): Curriculum investigations
Geometric investigations and the school curriculum
Report of mathematics investigation due
Dec 7 Mathematics Education (LC): Communication
The role of communication in teaching and learning mathematics
including listening, talking and writing.
Action research: discussion of progress on data
collection, methods of data analysis including coding schemes and
field notes.
Winter 1996
Jan 18 Mathematics Education (LC): Peer coaching
Peer coaching as a strategy for problem solving, the role of
mentoring in teacher research.
Action research: sharing and discussion of findings,
problem solving groups will meet to look at ways of changing
practice in mathematics as a result of action research findings.
Feb 1 Mathematics (VH 3003): Curriculum
investigations
Pattern and generalization: algebra investigations and the
school curriculum
Feb 15 Mathematics Education (LC): Integrating technology in
the learning and teaching of mathematics
Role of technology in changing the content and the practice of
mathematics.
Action research: writing the final report, discussion
of changing classroom
practice (problem solving groups), reflecting on insights and
experiences (teaching dossier )
Feb 29 Mathematics Education (LC): The role of
students' misconceptions
Instructional approaches for responding to students'
understanding and misunderstanding in selected areas.
Action research: discussion, interpretation, and analysis
of results continues, developing a personal framework for future
action.
Curriculum investigation due
Mar 7 Mathematics (VH 3003): Curriculum
investigations
Algebraic investigations and the school curriculum (cont.)
Mar 28 Mathematics (VH 3003): Curriculum
investigations
Data management: probability/statistics investigations and the
school curriculum
Apr 11 Mathematics Education (LC): Planning for
leadership
Sharing new knowledge, forming academic alliances for future
professional
development for self, school and the extended community.
Action Research: planning for Colloquium.
Final report of Action Research Project due
Mathematics Leadership Colloquium
Location t.b.a.
May 2
9am-4pm
This day long colloquium will feature presentations from teacher
and teacher
candidates of their teacher research projects.
Final date for submission of dossiers
revised September 19. 1995