MAMT MTS PD Day - Teaching Math is a Serious Skill!

Register here: https://memberlink.mbteach.org/Event.axd?e=2785

A1 - Making Math Stick: Revisiting Key Concepts Throughout the Year

Too often in mathematics, we apply a 'one and done' approach to instruction and learning. In Making Math Stick, participants will have opportunities to explore instructional strategies that will enable students to clarify mathematical understanding and strengthen retrieval. Educators will leave the session with effective and manageable strategies that can be applied to any instructional models. Subtle changes that have a significant impact on student learning.

Presenter: Dr. David Costello

Suitable for: K-12

Time: 9:00 am - 10:00 am

Location: Virtual

A2 - Numbers 1-999 - Correcting Place Value and Vocabulary Problems

Do you have students who mix up the numbers 13 with 31 or 14 with 41? Often the mistakes are caused by number vocabulary and the lack of place value understanding. When students understand the number names as well as the place value of numbers 1-100, then they can learn bigger numbers easily. In this workshop, I will present a logical step-by-step system to be used in class to help all students, small groups or individuals learn their numbers 1-999. The system is used with ten frame cards, number tent cards and whiteboards and can easily be taught to educational assistants, parents or tutors. Each participant will receive a list of all steps including free video teaching links.

Presenter: Sarah Melo

Suitable for: K-6

Time: 9:00 am - 10:00 am

Location: Virtual

A3 - Desmos for Applied Mathematics / Exploring Polypad

** Please note, this session has two 30 minute segments offered in the same 60 minute session

Desmos for Applied Mathematics (Grades 9-12)

In the first half of our session, we will dive into the world of Desmos, a versatile graphing calculator that is particularly useful for applied mathematics. We will explore specific applications for both the Grade 11 and Grade 12 applied mathematics courses. Desmos offers a
dynamic way to visualize mathematical concepts, making it easier for students to grasp complex topics. Whether you're new to Desmos or looking to expand your current usage, this segment will provide valuable insights and practical tips to integrate this tool into your curriculum.

Exploring Polypad (Grades K-12)

For the second half of the session, we will shift our focus to Polypad, an innovative website that offers a mathematical playground filled with virtual manipulatives. Here's a brief description from their website: "Welcome to Polypad! Unleash your creativity with the world’s best virtual manipulatives! Our mathematical playground is filled with unique tools that allow students to play and explore – and they’re completely free to use." Polypad allows students to engage with mathematics in a hands-on, interactive manner, fostering creativity and deep understanding. We will explore how to effectively use Polypad to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.

Presenter: Corbin Boughen

Suitable for: K-12

Time: 9:00 am - 10:00 am

Location: Virtual

A4 - Box Cars and One-Eyed Jacks' Best Games for Fraction, Decimals, and Percent

** Please note: participants should have a deck of cards and 6 to 8 dice on hand

As teachers, we know that students struggle with conceptual understanding of fractions. This struggle is a gatekeeper to higher level mathematics. Join this session to learn meaningful strategies for understanding and exploring these concepts which will help your
student build fluency. These games offer opportunities to reason with fractions, build known facts, and sense-making for operating with fractions, decimals and percents.

Presenter: Nancy Paulson

Suitable for: Grades 5-8

Time: 9:00 am - 10:00 am

Location: Virtual

A5 - Connecting to Indigenous Ways of Learning: Capturing and Celebrating the Development

Many North American Indigenous cultures use a Medicine Wheel as a foundation for teaching and learning that shows how different parts of life are connected and balanced. In this session I will share how we have been using a Problem-Solving Medicine Wheel with a problem-based instruction in my classroom as well as my colleagues’ classrooms to connect to non-colonial ways of knowing to create spaces of belonging for all students, to communicate the value of students and their thinking, and to enhance student learning by focusing on celebrating students' skills, knowledge, mathematical practices, and attributes. Participants will be expected to actively engage in problem solving and noticing their engagement in the problem solving process.

Presenter: Denise Smith

Suitable for: K-8

Time: 9:00 am - 10:00 am

Location: Virtual

A6 - Box Cars and One-Eyed Jacks Fractions - Putting The Pieces Together With Scaffolding

Learning fractions doesn’t have to be hard for students (or teachers). Participants in this workshop will play and learn easy, practical strategies and games that help students build their understanding of fractions. Fundamental understanding of fractions that students gain through theses games and activities (the starting point for scaffolding) sets them up for success to work independently (increased scaffolding) with equivalency and simple operations which is also touched on during this workshop. A handout with games, strategies, tools and assessment check lists will be provided. Participants will gain the knowledge, skills and confidence to implement what they learn in this session, immediately back in the classrooms on Monday.

Presenter: John Felling

Suitable for: Grades 3-4

Time: 9:00 am - 10:00 am

Location: Virtual

A7 - Problem Solving and Assessment in the Early Years Math Classroom

This session will consider principles and specific examples for developing the problem-solving abilities of children in early years, as well as formative assessment issues.

Presenter: Dr. Paul Betts

Suitable for: K-12

Time: 9:00 am - 10:00 am

Location: Virtual

A8 - Pondering Puzzling Probability Problems: Monty Hall et al.

The purpose of this session is to deep dive into a handful of famous counterintuitive probability problems. Instead of strictly focusing on the correct answer, however, we will focus on the gap that exists between intuitive, incorrect answers and correct answers. These attempts at countering intuition will reveal that no matter which famous perplexing probability problem is under the microscope, incorrect answers (mostly) stem from assigning equal probabilities to things (outcomes, events, etc.) that are not equally likely. Even as we mind the gap, though, we’re not out of the woods. In the words of Sir David Spiegelhalter, "I often get asked why people find probability so unintuitive and difficult. After years of research, I have concluded it's because probability really is unintuitive and difficult." So, please bring an open mind and, perhaps, an eraser.

Presenter: Dr. Egan Chernoff

Suitable for: Grades 9-12

Time: 9:00 am - 10:00 am

Location: Virtual

A0 - A Day with Pre-Calculus Math 40S

This is a call out to present and future teachers of Pre-Calc 40S. This full-day in-person workshop is lead by Bruce Waters and will do a deep dive into various topics in the PC 40S curriculum. Bruce has taught high school Math for many years and has also taught various first-year Calculus courses at the University of Manitoba in his retirement.

The workshop will start with considering the all-pervasive topic of transformations. Most resources these days are showing students how to “do” transformations but few, if any, are allowing students to truly “understand” transformations. Bruce will present a logical and thoughtful approach to the topic of transformations that will eliminate any need for rules or edicts … a truly mathematical experience for teachers and, more importantly, for students.

Following the above, we will delve into the trigonometry trajectory, considering visual strategies that will allow your students to take ownership of highly theoretical concepts. A logical labyrinth of proofs for multiple and double angle identities (starting with critical visual proofs of the odd and even identities and a “tried-and-true” proof of the basic multiple-angle identity) will be explored. Cofunctions will also be considered in a new light. We will also consider the critical transition from trig ratios to trig functions, a step sadly overlooked by present resources and a cornerstone of Calculus concept development.

Also up for consideration will be graphing polynomial and rational functions (with an introduction to a quasi-limit notation for determining end behaviour), solving exponential equations (with the common base technique always in play), counting techniques (which all come back to a tree diagram approach and the basic meaning of multiplication) and a quick backtrack to max-min problems (and how they can be developed with Calculus in mind).

Come participate in this deep dive and transform your students’ understanding of Pre-Calc 40S and give them confidence in their ability to think mathematically.

Math makes sense if you just think about it!

Presenter: Bruce Waters

Suitable for: Senior Years

Time: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Location: JH Bruns Collegiate, 250 Lakewood Blvd, Winnipeg, MB

Participant Max: 30

B1 - Problem Solving with Real-Life Math Manipulatives

Learn how to incorporate and differentiate problem solving and math concepts in the classroom with everyday items such as money, measuring cups, tape measures, thermometers, clocks and more. Real-life items provide authentic opportunities for students to build number sense and critical thinking skills so they can easily transfer their understanding to more advanced math concepts such as fractions, decimal numbers, and integers. Problems can be adapted from Grades 2 to Grades 6 using minimal vocabulary and student interests. Examples of closed and open problem-solving questions will be provided.

Presenter: Sarah Melo

Suitable for: Grades 2-6

Time: 10:30 am - 11:30 am

Location: Virtual

B2 - Understanding Math Specific Learning Disabilities

Students can struggle with math for many reasons, but one cause - dyscalculia - has a growing, sometimes conflicting, body of research. As awareness of this disability broadens, the number of students receiving assessments and a diagnosis is on the rise. This session will cover how a math specific learning disability is diagnosed and explore some of the research around causes, symptoms, and interventions. Laura will also share from her experience screening and programming for students with MSLDs as she piloted and developed a student services math specialist role.

Presenter: Laura Masterson

Suitable for: Grades K-8

Time: 10:30 am - 11:30 am

Location: Virtual

B3 - BEDMAS falls apart in middle school! Box Cars and One-Eyed Jacks has many games to explore and practice Order of Operations

Please note: participants should have a deck of cards and 6 to 8 dice on hand

Why is Order of Operations so hard for students? Because, instead of just being told the "order" of calculating, students need opportunities to create expressions so that they can write, and evaluate them, correctly. And, the "B" in BEDMAS doesn't encompass middle grade "grouping" symbols. Join this session to learn strategies that will help students understand, and practice, order of operations using collaborative games.

Presenter: Nancy Paulson

Time: 10:30 am - 11:30 am

Location: Virtual

B4 - Box Cars and One-Eyed Jacks' Best Games for Fraction, Decimals, and Percent

“Practice Makes Perfect” is a good framework for K-2 students to learn and master concepts related to Number Sense and Operational Fluency. Participants in this workshop will play and learn easy, practical strategies and games that help students build beginning and early number sense which scaffolds easily to operational fluency as the progress up through grade 2. A handout with games, strategies, tools and assessment check lists will be provided. Participants will gain the knowledge, skills and confidence to implement what they learn in this session, immediately back in the classrooms on Monday.

Presenter: John Felling

Suitable for: Grades K-2

Time: 10:30 am - 11:30 am

Location: Virtual

B5 - Frustrated with Teaching Fractions & Rational Numbers? This Session is for You!

Research shows that teaching and learning fractions and rational numbers is anything but easy! In this session, we explore what makes these numbers so challenging and then discuss some research-based approaches that can reduce the frustration which many of us experience. The session will focus on ways of building a deeper conceptual understanding for ourselves and for our students. A resource list will be shared to support ongoing learning.

Presenter: Dr. Martha Koch

Suitable for: Grades 3-8

Time: 10:30 am - 11:30 am

Location: Virtual

B6 - The Multifaceted Nature of Exemplification

Exemplification—Learners Generating Examples is a relatively new approach to teaching mathematics, and much is yet to be uncovered about the value of this instructional approach. In a recent study, elementary teachers discovered that Exemplification could serve different
purposes in a mathematics lesson. In this session, we will examine the various ways Exemplification can be used in the teaching and learning of mathematics. We will analyze and discuss lessons depicting different ways this approach was used. If time permits, groups will
prepare a mathematics lesson that employs Exemplification.

Presenter: Dr. Christopher Charles

Suitable for: Grades K-4

Time: 10:30 am - 11:30 am

Location: Virtual

B7 - Problem Solving and Assessment in the Middle Years Math Classroom

This session will consider principles and specific examples for developing the problem-solving abilities of children in middle years, as well as formative assessment issues.


Presenter: Dr. Paul Betts

Time: 10:30 am - 11:30 am

Location: Virtual

B8 - Pondering Puzzling Probability Problems: Monty Hall et al.

Repeat of session A8.

The purpose of this session is to deep dive into a handful of famous counterintuitive probability problems. Instead of strictly focusing on the correct answer, however, we will focus on the gap that exists between intuitive, incorrect answers and correct answers. These attempts at countering intuition will reveal that no matter which famous perplexing probability problem is under the microscope, incorrect answers (mostly) stem from assigning equal probabilities to things (outcomes, events, etc.) that are not equally likely. Even as we mind the gap, though, we’re not out of the woods. In the words of Sir David Spiegelhalter, "I often get asked why people find probability so unintuitive and difficult. After years of research, I have concluded it's because probability really is unintuitive and difficult." So, please bring an open mind and, perhaps, an eraser.

Presenter: Dr. Egan Chernoff

Suitable for: Grades 9-12

Time: 10:30 am - 11:30 am

Location: Virtual

C2 - On Functions: Inverse of a Function, Competing Definitions for a Function, Finding a Function Given a Few Points

In this session, participants will be asked a mathematical question to consider, and from there the discussion will move to highlighting some mathematical ideas related to secondary school curriculum, but usually approached at a tertiary level, and then conclude with a sharing of
results from some related research. If you teach secondary mathematics, this is a session for you!

Presenter: Dr. Rina Zazkis

Suitable for: Grades 9-12

Time: 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

Location: Virtual

C3 - Box Cars and One-Eyed Jacks' Best Games for Fraction, Decimals, and Percent Concepts

Repeat of session A4.

** Please note: participants should have a deck of cards and 6 to 8 dice on hand

As teachers, we know that students struggle with conceptual understanding of fractions. This struggle is a gatekeeper to higher level mathematics. Join this session to learn meaningful strategies for understanding and exploring these concepts which will help your student build fluency. These games offer opportunities to reason with fractions, build known facts, and sense-making for operating with fractions, decimals and percents.

Presenter: Nancy Paulson

Suitable for: Grades 5-8

Time: 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

Location: Virtual

C4 - Desmos for Applied Mathematics / Exploring Polypad

Repeat of session A3

** Please note, this session has two 30 minute segments offered in the same 60 minute session

Desmos for Applied Mathematics (Grades 9-12)

In the first half of our session, we will dive into the world of Desmos, a versatile graphing calculator that is particularly useful for applied mathematics. We will explore specific applications for both the Grade 11 and Grade 12 applied mathematics courses. Desmos offers a
dynamic way to visualize mathematical concepts, making it easier for students to grasp complex topics. Whether you're new to Desmos or looking to expand your current usage, this segment will provide valuable insights and practical tips to integrate this tool into your curriculum.

Exploring Polypad (Grades K-12)

For the second half of the session, we will shift our focus to Polypad, an innovative website that offers a mathematical playground filled with virtual manipulatives. Here's a brief description from their website: "Welcome to Polypad! Unleash your creativity with the world’s best virtual manipulatives! Our mathematical playground is filled with unique tools that allow students to play and explore – and they’re completely free to use." Polypad allows students to engage with mathematics in a hands-on, interactive manner, fostering creativity and deep understanding. We will explore how to effectively use Polypad to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.

Presenter: Corbin Boughen

Suitable for: K-12

Time: 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

Location: Virtual

C5 - Frustrated with Teaching Fractions & Rational Numbers? This Session is for You!

Repeat of session B5

Research shows that teaching and learning fractions and rational numbers is anything but easy! In this session, we explore what makes these numbers so challenging and then discuss some research-based approaches that can reduce the frustration which many of us experience. The session will focus on ways of building a deeper conceptual understanding for ourselves and for our students. A resource list will be shared to support ongoing learning.

Presenter: Dr. Martha Koch

Suitable for: Grades 3-8

Time: 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

Location: Virtual

C6 - Problem Solving and Assessment in the Early Years Math Classroom

Repeat of session A7

This session will consider principles and specific examples for developing the problem-solving abilities of children in early years, as well as formative assessment issues.

Presenter: Dr. Paul Betts

Time: 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

Location: Virtual

C7 - Connecting to Indigenous Ways of Learning: Capturing and Celebrating the Development of Problem Solvers

Repeat of session A5

Many North American Indigenous cultures use a Medicine Wheel as a foundation for teaching and learning that shows how different parts of life are connected and balanced. In this session I will share how we have been using a Problem-Solving Medicine Wheel with a problem-based instruction in my classroom as well as my colleagues’ classrooms to connect to non-colonial ways of knowing to create spaces of belonging for all students, to communicate the value of students and their thinking, and to enhance student learning by focusing on celebrating students' skills, knowledge, mathematical practices, and attributes. Participants will be expected to actively engage in problem solving and noticing their engagement in the problem solving process.

Presenter: Denise Smith

Suitable for: Grades K-8

Time: 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

Location: Virtual

C8 - Box Cars and One-Eyed Jacks Fractions - Putting The Pieces Together With Scaffolding

Repeat of session A6

Learning fractions doesn’t have to be hard for students (or teachers). Participants in this workshop will play and learn easy, practical strategies and games that help students build their understanding of fractions. Fundamental understanding of fractions that students gain through theses games and activities (the starting point for scaffolding) sets them up for success to work independently (increased scaffolding) with equivalency and simple operations which is also touched on during this workshop. A handout with games, strategies, tools and assessment check lists will be provided. Participants will gain the knowledge, skills and confidence to implement what they learn in this session, immediately back in the classrooms on Monday.

Presenter: John Felling

Suitable for: Grades 3-4

Time: 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

Location: Virtual

C1 - A Toolbox of Problems To Support All Students In Mathematics

It can be overwhelming to teach math and to reach the learning needs of all students. One way to reach all of these needs is for teachers to provide students with a range of problem types. Teachers need to have a toolbox that addresses a variety of problems and will support students in becoming independent problem solvers. This session examines problems that are targeted to key math concepts. These problems can be used at any point in the lesson: whole-group, guided small-group instruction, or independent practice. Teachers will have an opportunity to develop their skills in crafting rich, meaningful and engaging math tasks for students.


Presenter: Dr. David Costello

Suitable for: Grades K-8

Time: 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Location: Virtual

D1 - On Exponents: Rational Number Exponents, Real Number Exponents, Negative Number Exponents

In this session, participants will be asked a mathematical question to consider, and from there the discussion will move to highlighting some mathematical ideas related to secondary school curriculum, but usually approached at a tertiary level, and then conclude with a sharing of results from some related research. If you teach secondary mathematics, this is a session for you!


Presenter: Dr. Rina Zazkis

Suitable for: Grades 9-12

Time: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Location: Virtual

D2 - Understanding Math Specific Learning Disabilities

Repeat of session B2

Students can struggle with math for many reasons, but one cause - dyscalculia - has a growing, sometimes conflicting, body of research. As awareness of this disability broadens, the number of students receiving assessments and a diagnosis is on the rise. This session will cover how a math specific learning disability is diagnosed and explore some of the research around causes, symptoms, and interventions. Laura will also share from her experience screening and programming for students with MSLDs as she piloted and developed a student services math specialist role.

Presenter: Laura Masterson

Suitable for: Grades K-8

Time: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Location: Virtual

D3 - BEDMAS falls apart in middle school! Box Cars and One-Eyed Jacks has many games to explore and practice Order of Operations

Repeat of session B3

Please note: participants should have a deck of cards and 6 to 8 dice on hand

Why is Order of Operations so hard for students? Because, instead of just being told the "order" of calculating, students need opportunities to create expressions so that they can write, and evaluate them, correctly. And, the "B" in BEDMAS doesn't encompass middle grade "grouping" symbols. Join this session to learn strategies that will help students understand, and practice, order of operations using collaborative games.

Presenter: Nancy Paulson

Time: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Location: Virtual

D4 - Approaches to Problem-solving in K-12 Mathematics

Problem-solving is a key process in learning mathematics. It is one of the seven mathematics processes espoused by the Manitoba Curriculum Framework. Yet, many teachers struggle to implement this practice in their classrooms. This session will introduce you to some of the knowledge, processes, and strategies involved in problem-solving. We will discuss and engage with Polya and Woods’ problem-solving models, and several recommended problem-solving strategies. As much as possible, a hands-on approach will be used in this
session

Presenter: Dr. Christopher Charles

Suitable for: Grades K-12

Time: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Location: Virtual

D5 - Box Cars and One-Eyed Jacks' Best Games for Fraction, Decimals, and Percent

Repeat of session B4

“Practice Makes Perfect” is a good framework for K-2 students to learn and master concepts related to Number Sense and Operational Fluency. Participants in this workshop will play and learn easy, practical strategies and games that help students build beginning and early number sense which scaffolds easily to operational fluency as the progress up through grade 2. A handout with games, strategies, tools and assessment check lists will be provided. Participants will gain the knowledge, skills and confidence to implement what they learn in this session, immediately back in the classrooms on Monday.

Presenter: John Felling

Suitable for: Grades K-2

Time: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Location: Virtual

D6 - Problem Solving and Assessment in the Middle Years Math Classroom

Repeat of session B7

This session will consider principles and specific examples for developing the problem-solving abilities of children in middle years, as well as formative assessment issues.


Presenter: Dr. Paul Betts

Time: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Location: Virtual