Length: Full Day
Topic of Focus: Mathematics
Presenter/Facilitator: Doug Duff
Description: This professional development session will focus on enhancing math education across all grade levels.
Morning Session: Connected Number Thinking with Doug Duff
The morning will be dedicated to "Connected Number Thinking" with Doug Duff. The goal is to deepen understanding of Number Sense and Numeration and build consistency in using core mathematical models. This approach aims to improve students' mathematical thinking and confidence.
Following Doug Duff's session, school administrators will lead discussions on applying these concepts in the classroom to address the needs of math learners. Principals will also facilitate learning on math pedagogical instruction, exploring manipulatives, models, and classroom activities. Teachers will learn to transition between manipulatives, modelling, symbolizing, and visualizing.
Kindergarten teachers will receive an Early Number Understanding Chart and Tracking tool, along with age-appropriate activities to support their students ' understanding of the "Big 4" for their age level.
Afternoon Session: Common Task Analysis
The afternoon will focus on analyzing results from the board-wide Common Task Analysis administered in September. Principals and teachers will use a structured model to analyze student work:
First Look Questioning: Principals will ask guiding questions to focus the analysis of student work.
Flip Test: Educators will quickly review student data to form general impressions and identify areas for more detailed analysis.
Analyses Tracker per grade: Educators will use a "Criteria for Analysis Tracker" to evaluate student work against specific criteria, collect results, and aggregate this data by grade. This information will then be used to inform future instructional strategies.