Central Texas Council of Teachers of Mathematics

CTCTM NewsletterFall 2013

CTCTM President’s MessageGreetings to all Members of CTCTM! It’s welcome back to school time! It’s an exciting time for mathematics education in the state of Texas. We are about to implement new mathematics TEKS and have available new options for mathematics textbooks. CTCTM would like to provide helpful information, opportunities for professional development, and a venue for collaboration to support all mathematics teachers with these exciting developments.

We have just launched a FaceBook page and now have a Twitter feed, along with the development of a new web site. Look for more information in this newsletter about these latest adventures in Social Media so that you can have access to the most recent information.

In regards to our annual events, be sure to include the annual CTCTM Fall Meeting and Spring Conference on your calendars. You will find more detailed information in this newsletter about each event, but the Fall Meeting is planned for Tuesday, October 22 from 5:00 – 6:30 on the Baylor University campus in Marrs McLean Sciences building room 101. Activities for this meeting will focus on Financial Literacy and the Process Standard s, in response to the new TEKS, and there will be updates about the Mathematics Textbook Adoption. The Spring Conference is planned for Saturday, February 22, 2014 from 8:30 – 1:00 at University High School in Waco, Texas. As usual, we will begin with a keynote speaker and various breakout sessions following. Think about recruiting new members by inviting your colleagues to these annual CTCTM events.

So much is happening at the state level and national level in regards to mathematics education. Please consider becoming a member of the Texas Council of Teachers of Mathematics (TCTM) and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) to receive membership benefits that will provide you with the latest in news, instructional ideas, and professional development opportunities.

As a member of CTCTM, please consider ways that you can become more involved in this organization. There are opportunities to serve on committees and/or to serve as an appointed or elected position on the Executive Council. If you are interested, please contact me at sandra_cooper@baylor.edu. In addition, I want to hear your ideas about how CTCTM can play a more significant role to promote Mathematics Education in our region. Send me an e-mail and let’s brainstorm ways to enhance math learning for all our students!

Have a great beginning to a wonderful school year!

Sandi CooperPresident, CTCTM

2012-2014

Date: Tuesday, October 22Time: 5:00-6:30 pm

Location: Baylor UniversityMarrs McLean Science Building, Room 101

(Look for a map on the web site)

What’s New in Mathematics Education?Do you feel behind in the latest news and updates in mathematics education? If so, do not miss the CTCTM Fall Meeting. CTCTM officers will share current happenings in mathematics, provide exciting resources, and textbook updates. You will also have the opportunity to hear about CTCTM updates and news!

There will be special presentations about great resources for Financial Literacy, Process Standards for Secondary, and an update on the Mathematics Textbook Adoption. Don’t miss this important info!

Light refreshments and door prizes will be available!

Patterns - any grade level - Describe what is happening.

Using pattern blocks, have students connect triangles, squares, trapezoids, or hexagons together forming a train.

  Adding 1 triangle - lose 1 side and add 2

  3 sides (perimeter 3 units) for a total of 4 sides (perimeter 4 units)

Keep adding “cars” to the train and describe what is happening each time. When doing this activity at any grade level provide students with minimal instructions - let them describe in their own words what is happening each time they add another shape to the train - then have them present their descriptions to the class. 

Pre-K / K may just use words to describe the mathematics by counting the number of triangles or squares.  They may also build a pattern using two different shapes.

1st – 2nd grade use words to describe the action, modeling addition and subtraction as shapes are added or taken away.  Equal groups may also be formed to model multiplication and division.

3rd – 4th grade use words to describe what is happening to the number of sides (perimeter) of the train each time a shape is added to the train.  Students should begin to see a pattern emerge that will help them predict the number of sides on trains with more cars. They would also explore creating trains using other shapes, like a train of square cars, or hexagon cars.

CTCTM Fall Meeting

BUILDING TRAINS!Submitted by Mary Jo Montgomery—Elementary School Vice-President

Last newsletter I wrote about math being active and we, as teachers, should guide our students to look for the action.  Here is a simple activity to try with your students.

5th – 6th grade will explore what is happening as the other grades but then begin to translate the observed patterns into mathematical symbols by writing expressions that describe the action.

Math in the MiddleSubmitted by Lisa Hudson—Middle School Vice President

An exciting event has occurred in the McGregor ISD this year. We have purchased iPads for all 8th – 12th grade students and the students received them this week. After only two days, I would say that our eighth graders are in love with the technology! During lunch on the first day with the iPads, the cafeteria looked like an “iPad class” as the kids quickly ate and then explored their new tools. Several classes have done interactive quizzes and made short Popplets. Teacher e-mails have been sent out with educational app download requests and the students are quickly responding. It is exciting as a teacher to see our students so engaged and eager to learn.

Along with the iPad initiative, our district has made the decision to include project based learning (PBL) in each 8-12 classroom beginning this fall. Each teacher is responsible for creating and implementing a minimum of two projects this year and two more projects next year. I will give you an update in the spring newsletter.

If you have not been to training at Region 12 regarding the new math TEKS, then I would encourage you to consider attending the FREE two-day training sessions to be held on Tuesday, September 24th and Thursday, September 26th. There is no limit on the number of participants for this workshop. You will gain valuable information to assist you in planning your math instruction this year as you work on implementing the new TEKS. An excellent online resource has been shared by the Texas Association of Supervisors of Mathematics to support the math TEKS- http://livebinders.com/play/play?id=707766This is an excellent resource that you don’t want to miss.

Another important consideration for this school year is the adoption of new K-8 math textbooks for the 2013-2014 school year. A list of all materials under consideration can be found at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index2.aspx?id=2147505402.Go to the topic Proclamation 2014 and open the link Proclamation 2014 Publishing Companies with Materials Under Consideration for Adoption (PDF, 84KB). Both science and technology application materials are also up for adoption so you will need to search carefully for your topics. This process is much different than in years past as the textbooks are to be reviewed online this year. You will have to make a final choice between digital or print materials once you have looked over all the materials.

Incredible websites for math education!Submitted by Kristin Arterbury

Estimation 180: Andrew Stadelwww.estimation180.com

Global Math Department: Megan Hayes-Goldingwww.bigmarker.com/GlobalMathDept

Math Mistakes: Michael Pershanhttp://mathmistakes.org

MathRecap: Edited by Dan Meyerwww.mathrecap.com

Visual Patterns: Fawn Nguyenhttp://visualpatterns.org

Mathtwitterblogosphere: Sam Shahhttp://bit.ly/MeEF2q

Math Hunt ChallengeSubmitted by William Luke—NCTM Representative

Find and solve the math problems listed below. Solutions will be provided at the fall conference.

1. Factor 6x2 -18xy – 60y2

2. Find 65% of 3603. Solve for x. 7Log (3x) =154. Solve for x. Ln(x-3) + Ln(x-2) = Ln (2x+24)5. Solve by graphing 2x+y =1 x-y = -16. Find y intercept (4, 3), m = -37. Solve by factoring. x2 – 5x + 4 = 08. Solve inequality 4x > 109. find the midpoint of the line segment with endpoints (3, 8) and (-2, 6)10. Solve for all factors of a and c. 8x2 – 6x + 12

Be

DO NOT FORGET TO VOTE!

If you have not checked out the ballot for the 2013 NCTM Board of Directors, then you need to do so! One of our very own CTCTM officers is on the ballot. For more details, go to

http://www.nctm.org/about/content.aspx?id=37642

Tech TipsSubmitted by Trena Wilkerson—President Elect

Sandi Cooper and I recently attended the NCTM Affiliates Leaders Conference in Annapolis, Maryland on behalf of CTCTM. We had great discussions with fellow affiliate leaders across the US and Canada and came away with a multitude of new ideas and resources for our organization and mathematics teachers. Here are a few of those resources!

Looking for APPS to support your work as a mathematics teacher? Some are free and others may have a small fee.

Skitcho Use to annotate, draw, and more! Connects to Evernote as well.

CamScannero Turns a smart phone into a scanner

Evernoteo App that lets you take notes, capture photos, and voice record, too.

Note Anytimeo Much like Evernote but saves to the device rather than to a separate accounto Use for note taking and also annotations on PDFs

My Scripto Turns your device into an interactive white board

How about websites? Learn Zillion: http://learnzillion.com/

o I have not used yet but was told it was an excellent resource with more coming online daily! Random Name Selector: http://j.mp/14jyrjJ

o Great tool for putting class names in and have in the random generator select names randomly.

http://vihart.com/ o Excellent math projects, how-tos, fascinating mathematical concepts, videos, math in the real

work, and more!

Have a favorite APP or website for use as a mathematics teacher? Why not send in the name of it and brief explanation of how you use it and we can share with our membership?

What resources do you know about that support the New Personal Financial Literacy Strand in our Revised Math TEKS?

Please post your resources and/or lessons on the following virtual corkboard to share with other educators at our Fall CTCTM Meeting!http://padlet.com/wall/ctctmpfl 

The following website has resources compiled by Region 12 to help support implementation of the Revised Math TEKS. Access the resources to help prepare for implementation of our new math standards! http://revisedmathteks.wikispaces.com

When Guessing Can Be GoodSubmitted by Tommy Bryan—University Vice-President

Recently, in one of my Pre-calculus (for Business Majors) classes, we encountered the following problem:

I asked my class for a show of hands as to how many of them were at least somewhat intimidated by this problem and/or word problems in general. Hands shot up all over the room – very few of the students either were, or pretended to be, comfortable with word problems. When I asked them why this was the case, many students described the difficulty they had translating words into symbols. On the other hand, when I offered each student an exit ticket from class that day in return for a correct answer to the problem, few seemed to be worried. You see, they were confident they could each eventually get the correct answer by guessing and checking. The message here is that most students can solve problems through a “guess and check” strategy, even though that approach may not be as efficient as the algebraic strategy of setting up and solving an equation. So, we proceeded to “guess and check” together in order to solve this equation. I requested a first “guess” (for the amount invested at 5%) and someone suggested $20,000. We “checked” as shown below:

(.05)(20,000) + (.04)(32,000) = 22901000 + 1280 = 2290

2280 ≠ 2290

So, we guessed and checked again:(.05)(21,000) + (.04)(31,000) = 2290

1050 + 1240 = 22902290 = 2290 √

After two rounds of “guessing and checking”, we had determined the solution to be $21,000 (with $31,000 invested at 4%). But wait - in the process of “guessing and checking” (something that students can do), haven’t we laid the foundation for creating an algebraic equation (something that many of the student couldn’t do)? We revisited the two rounds of “guessing and checking” to determine what “changed” and what “stayed the same”. We inserted an “x” for the first quantity that “changed” (how much invested at 5%), and quickly determined that the other quantity that “changed” (how much invested at 4%) was computed by subtracting the first quantity from 52,000 and therefore should be replaced by 52000 – x. Since everything else “stayed the same”, we now have the algebraic equation whose solution answers the question:

(.05)(x) + (.04)(52000 – x) = 2290And it all started with a “guess”!

CTCTM Annual Spring Conference

February 22, 2014University High School

Joe Gonzalez received $52,000 profit from the sale of some land. He invested part at 5% interest and the rest at 4% interest. He earned a total of $2290 interest per year. How much did he invest at 5%?

Central Texas Council of Teachers of MathematicsCTCTM Membership / Information Form

All information provided is confidential and not available to outside sources without the express written permission of the CTCTM Executive Council.

First Name__________________________________ Last Name _________________________________

Mailing Address ________________________________________________________________________

City__________________________________ State ____________________ Zip ____________________

Name of School _______________________________ Your position _____________________________

Home Phone (__________)_______________________ Work Phone (_________)___________________

Fax (__________)__________________________ Email _______________________________________

Are you a member of NCTM? (Circle) yes no Are you a member of TCTM? (Circle) yes no

If yes, please give NCTM membership #_________________________________

Please join or renew your membership to NCTM online, using the pull-down menu to indicate that you are a member of CTCTM. NCTM gives CTCTM a small portion ($3 - $5) of your membership, so this really helps us.

Please check one of the following: Check those that best describe your level of

School Type: __________ Public involvement:

__________ Nonpublic __________ Teacher __________ P-2

__________ Student __________ 3-5

Make check payable to CTCTM __________ Counselor __________ 6-8

Annual Dues: $10.00 __________ Principal __________ 9-12

Student Membership $5.00 __________ Supervisor __________ University

________ Other ____________________________

MAIL TO: Kathy Hutchison

Baylor University

One Bear Place #97328

Waco, TX 76798

ADMINISTRATIVE USE ONLY

Date Entered/Renewed _________________________ Amount Paid ________________________

Membership Expiration ________________________ Card Sent ___________________________

Central Texas Council of Teachers of Mathematics (CTCTM) Professional Mathematics Organization Scholarship

This scholarship will award a one-year membership to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), a one-year membership to the Texas Council of Teachers of Mathematics (TCTM), and a one-year membership to the Central Texas Council of Teachers of Mathematics (CTCTM).

Deadline: 3 February 2014 Notification of award: By February 22, 2014

Eligibility: Any student attending a Texas college or university and who plans on student teaching during 2011 in order to pursue teacher certification with a specialization or teaching field in mathematics or any teacher who has taught for fewer than two years and who is not a member of TCTM or NCTM. The applicant must either have permanent residence in one of the counties served by Region 12 in Central Texas or attend a college/university located in counties served by Region 12 in Central Texas.

Applicant Information-All information must be complete for consideration.

Name: __________________________________________________________________ Last First Middle

Address: _________________________________________ Number & Street

_____________________________________ ___________________ ______________ City State Zip Code

Contact: ( ) ___________ ( ) ___________ ________________________________ Home Phone Work Phone Email Address

College/Campus Information

College/Campus Name________________________________ Graduation Year ___________

Teaching Certification: ______________________ Years Taught: _______________

Campus/School District: _____________________________

You must submit the following electronically by 3 February 2014 to sandra_cooper@baylor.edu, President of CTCTM:1. Completed application. 2. An essay of 500-1500 words that describes how membership in a professional mathematics organization will

help you as a teacher of mathematics.Questions may also be sent to the same e-mail address. Information concerning this scholarship can also be found at www.ctctm.org. Click on Resources and Centers and then the Central Texas Council of Teachers of Mathematics link. An appointed CTCTM committee will review applications. Recipient’s name will be submitted to the CTCTM Executive Board who will then notify the recipient and post name to CTCTM website.

CTCTM Spring Conference, February 22, 2014Speaker Proposal Form

If you are interested in submitting a proposal please provide the following information:

I. Presenter Information II. Presentation InformationName ___________________________ Title of Session _________________________________Address _________________________ Grade Level(s) (Please check all that apply.)City/State ________________________ PK-2 ___ 3-5 ___ 6-8 ___ 9-12 ___ College ___Zip __________ Phone _____________School Name _____________________ Description (Limit 25 words - may be done on Email: ___________________________ separate sheet and attached)

Please give the same information for additional speakers on a separate sheet.

Email to: Sandra_Cooper@baylor.edu

or Mail to: Sandra CooperOne Bear Place 97314Waco, TX 76798

All proposals should be received by December 16, 2013.

This form is also found in an electronic format or in online submission format on the CTCTM web site.Be sure to share with your colleagues!

Connect with us and stay up to date on the happenings!Webpage: http://www.ctctm.org

Has your membership information changed?

Please contact Kathy Hutchison to update your information.

Kathy_Hutchison@Baylor.eduTwitter: @CenTexCTM

Don’t forget to like us on facebook!

2013-2014 Officers

CTCTMOne Bear Place #97314 Baylor UniversityWaco, TX 76798-7328

PresidentSandi Cooper

Baylor UniversitySandra_Cooper@baylor.edu

President-ElectTrena WilkersonBaylor University

Trena_Wilkerson@baylor.eduVice President - Elementary

Mary Jo MontgomeryPenelope School

mjmontgomery@penelopeisd.org

Vice President – Junior HighLisa Hudson

H.G. Isbill Jr. Highlhudson@mcgregor-isd.org

Vice President - High SchoolVicky Brown

University High Schoolvbrown@wacoisd.org

Vice President - College/UniversityTommy Bryan

Baylor UniversityTommy_Bryan@baylor.edu

SecretaryKayla BrownMidway ISD

Kayla.brown@midwayisd.org

TreasurerKristin Arterbury

Region 12 Service Centerkarterbury@esc12.net

Newsletter EditorRachelle Rogers

Baylor UniversityRachelle_Rogers@baylor.edu

Webpage EditorDittika Gupta

Baylor UniversityDittika_Gupta@baylor.edu

Membership ChairKathy HutchisonBaylor University

Kathy_Hutchison@baylor.eduCommunity Relations Representative

Debbie PerryMidway ISD

Debbie.perry@midwayisd.org

NCTM RepresentativeWilliam Luke

Central Texas Collegewcluke@clearwire.net