Curriculum and Instruction Commons^™

Mastery Based Grading For Secondary Mathematics, Anderson Trimm

Professional Learning Day

Dr. Trimm will discuss in detail his design and implementation of a mastery grading system in calculus at IMSA and how it offers many benefits over traditional grading. Dr. Trimm will also explain how it makes creating assessments and grading easier and less work for the teacher, while being more accurate.

Tech & Toys To Teach Linear Algebra, Kelly W. Remijan

Publications & Research

6th - 12 Grade Math teachers will Discover activities involving tech and/or toys:

1. CNC Machines- graphing points & line segments
2. Desmos/GeoGebra & flags- graphing linear equations/inequalities w/ domain/range
3. CBR & movement- graphing/analyzing lines
4. Push toys- systems of equations
5. Water growing toys- growth rate
6. Ziplines, Balloons, Barbie, & Lego People - slope & linear equations

Flags And Tech To Teach Math, Kelly W. Remijan

Publications & Research

Teachers will discover innovative activities for math concepts that engage students with flags & technology such as CNC Machines, Google Sheets Pixel Art, Desmos, & GeoGebra.

Pixel Math Across All Levels, Kelly W. Remijan

Publications & Research

No abstract provided.

Topics And Challenges In Teaching Computer Science For Gifted And Talented Students, Tom Meyer, Namrata Pandya

Faculty Publications & Research

No abstract provided.

Physical Science - Under Pressure: Matter And Its Interactions, David Hernandez, Elizabeth Martinez

Model NGSS Lessons: 4th - 5th Grade

Air pressure, or atmospheric pressure, is the force exerted on objects by the atmosphere. Barometers are typically used to measure atmospheric pressure. Made of a liquid filled glass tube, the level of liquid will rise when the pressure increases and fall when the pressure drops. Lower barometric pressure tends to be associated with precipitation and cloudiness, while higher readings are related to sunshine and calmer weather. Air is made of invisible particles. The density of these particles is affected by atmospheric pressure. The greater the pressure, the more densely packed the particles are. In comparison, less pressure means a lower …

Physical Science - Gravity On Earth: Gravitational Force, Patrick Young

Model NGSS Lessons: 4th - 5th Grade

Gravity is a curious property of our universe. Gravity causes objects to attract each other with a force. The strength of this force depends on the masses of the objects and their distance apart. The direction of the force is from the center of one object toward the center of the other. Although the force is invisible, we can observe its direction by watching how objects move in response to the force.

Physical Science - Railroad Rescue: Energy Conversion, Patrick Young

Model NGSS Lessons: 4th - 5th Grade

In January of 1952, the Sierra Nevada mountains of California were stuck by a record-breaking blizzard. Railroad tracks through the mountain passes were being blocked by avalanches and snowdrifts. The tracks were generally kept clear by powerful rotary snowplows, but this blizzard was like nothing the Southern Pacific Railroad had ever seen before.

Physical Science - Energy Transfer: Heat And Light, Patrick Young, Peg Steffen

Model NGSS Lessons: 4th - 5th Grade

Energy is the ability to do work. Energy can be thought of as a currency which is universally accepted as the way to make things happen. Energy can be stored in many ways and transferred from place to place in many ways.

Some of the most frequently recognized types of energy are heat and light. These, along with others, can be classified as a phenomenon known as electromagnetic radiation (EM). Radiation is energy that travels and spreads out as it goes. The visible light that comes from a lamp in your house and the radio waves that come from a …

Physical Science - Classroom Detective Agency: Chemical Changes, Peg Steffen

Model NGSS Lessons: 4th - 5th Grade

Students are introduced to the differences between physical and chemical changes in simple kitchen substances that react to water and indicators in characteristic ways. The observable clues that a physical change has occurred includes changes in state such as gas, liquid, or solid. The material itself is the same before and after the change. An ice cube melting is an example of a physical change.

Earth Science - Oil Spills And Dust Bowls: Earth's Systems, Cassandra Armstrong, Peg Steffen, Elizabeth Martinez

Model NGSS Lessons: 4th - 5th Grade

Earth is comprised of four interconnected systems: geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. All of Earth’s processes are due to energy and matter cycling within and among these four systems. Because these systems are so connected, it is important to understand both individual characteristics of each system independently as well as features of their interactions with each other.

Physical Science - Speed And Energy: Diving Energy And Speed, Patrick Young

Model NGSS Lessons: 4th - 5th Grade

Energy is the ability to do work. Energy can be thought of as a currency which is universally accepted as the way to make things happen. All moving objects have energy. The amount of energy depends on their speed and mass. The faster an object moves, the more energy it has, and the more work it can do on other objects with which it interacts.

Physical Science - Supervillain Detention! Properties Of Matter, Patrick Young, Peg Steffen, Elizabeth Martinez

Model NGSS Lessons: 4th - 5th Grade

Scientists and engineers need to understand the properties of the materials they use. They choose the best materials for specific projects based on the properties of the materials. For example, civil engineers must have a thorough understanding of the properties of materials that might be used to build roads, dams, or bridges and plan their designs around the materials that will be used.

Earth/Space Science - Earth's Place In Space: Seasonal Change, Elizabeth Martinez, Peg Steffen

Model NGSS Lessons: 4th - 5th Grade

A key Disciplinary Core Idea for understanding our place in space is that the orbits of Earth and the sun and of the moon around Earth cause observable patterns. These include day and night; daily changes in the length of shadows; and different positions of the sun, moon, and stars at different times. There are many misconceptions about earth’s orbit but it is important to remember and to convey to students that Earth is moving around the Sun and the Moon is moving around us. What we see each day with the motion of the Sun moving across the sky …

Physical And Life Science - Food And Energy: Animal And Plant Energy, Cassandra Armstrong

Model NGSS Lessons: 4th - 5th Grade

Energy exists in many forms and is constantly being transferred between forms. All energy types can be sorted into two main categories: potential and kinetic. Potential energy is stored energy. Chemical energy, nuclear energy, stored mechanical energy, and gravitational energy are all examples of potential energy. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. Radiant (light) energy, thermal energy, sound energy, and electrical energy are all examples of kinetic energy. Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred between the types of energy. Most energy we use on Earth stems from the nuclear energy from within the sun.

Inquiry Based Instruction In Chemistry With Games, Karen Ye

Professional Learning Day

Games can be a fun and motivating way to engage students, but they are often used as a means to practice, apply, or review learned content instead of introducing a new concept. In this session, participants will explore the use of common games as a tool for an inquiry-based approach to introducing topics in high school chemistry such as atomic structure and periodic trends.

The Wright Stuff: An Integrative Approach To Stained Glass, Cassandra Wissink Armstrong

Professional Learning Day

In this session we'll explore the scientific and mathematical influences behind the artistic stained glass creations of Frank Lloyd Wright, and use them to create our own Wright-inspired stained glass designs. This is a truly integrative lesson that touches on properties of glass, linear functions, and artistic design.

Inquiry Based Instruction In Chemistry With Games, Karen Ye

Professional Learning Day

Games can be a fun and motivating way to engage students, but they are often used as a means to practice, apply, or review learned content instead of introducing a new concept. In this session, participants will explore the use of common games as a tool for an inquiry-based approach to introducing topics in high school chemistry such as atomic structure and periodic trends.

Be The Change: Re-Ignite Student’S Passion For Problem Solving & Mathematics, Joseph Bolz, Marti Shirley

Faculty Publications & Research

Outcomes!

• I will be able to facilitate an open ended and open middle problems in the classroom, complete with questioning techniques and student prompts.
• I will experience how to modify a textbook problem into a richer open task that encourages discussion and multiple approaches, with a focus on tailoring them to real world applications.
• I will leave with a list of questions, perfect for posing to students while engaged in the problem solving process, and also useful for any class period when students are lacking persistence

Context Is Critical: K-5th Grade Three-Act Math Tasks, Lindsey Herlehy

Publications & Research

Mathematicians view mathematics within interesting and natural contexts. In this session, participants will engage and explore Three-Act Math Tasks; a story-telling pedagogical strategy that elicits student curiosity, collaboration, and questioning while redefining the term “real-world context” and the role that students play in the learning process. Resources will be provided

Session E-2: Sharing Analogies And Demonstrations To Reinforce Chemistry Concepts, Dave Devol, Angela Ahrendt

Professional Learning Day

Chemistry concepts can often be difficult for students to understand, in part due to the fact that we are discussing with students things that cannot be seen (atoms and molecules!). Analogies that relate chemistry concepts to things that students are more familiar with can be a powerful way to help them understand concepts, as can demonstrations that make concepts come to life visually. We will share a few of our favorite analogies/demos, and ask that each participant share one of their favorite analogies or demos. As we realize it would be difficult for visiting teachers to bring what they need …

Session D-1: Lies, Damn Lies, And Statistics, Peter Dong, Joseph Traina

Professional Learning Day

The crucial and sometimes difficult areas of data analysis and statistics can be made clearer by looking at examples of how they can be done badly - examples which, unfortunately, are easy to find. We share our experience teaching a short course which examines disingenuous graphs, biased surveys, deliberately misworded statements, and other methods of misrepresenting data. The negative examples provide an opportunity to discuss how statistics should properly be done, and explain what can happen when statistics are used incorrectly. We include a discussion of the failure of polls to predict the outcome of the presidential election.

Session D-5: Informal Comparative Inference: What Is It?, Karen Togliatti

Professional Learning Day

Come and experience a hands-on task that has middle-school students grapple with informal inferential reasoning. Three key principles of informal inference – data as evidence, probabilistic language, and generalizing ‘beyond the data’ will be discussed as students build and analyze distributions to answer the question, “Does hand dominance play a role in throwing accuracy?” Connections to the CCSSM statistics standards for middle-school will be highlighted.

Session A-3: Three-Act Math Tasks, Lindsey Herlehy

Professional Learning Day

Participants will engage in a Three-Act Math task highlighting the application of properties of geometrical figures. Developed by Dan Meyer, an innovative and highly regarded mathematics instructor, Three-Act Math tasks utilize pedagogical skills that elicit student curiosity, collaboration and questioning. By posing a mathematical problem through active storytelling, this instructional approach redefines real-world mathematics and clarifies the role that a student plays in the learning process. Participants will be given multiple resources where they can access Three-Act Math tasks appropriate for upper elementary grades through Algebra and Geometry courses.

Session A-1: Bca Method, Focusing On Mole Ratios In Stoichiometry, Carmela Jones, Deb Scarano, Anita White

Professional Learning Day

Traditionally stoichiometry is done using dimensional analysis. Although effective, it is confusing, messy, and does not focus on mole ratios. On the other hand, the BCA method (Before-Change-After), is clear, clean, and highlights the mole ratios in a chemical reaction. Participants will collect mass data in an experiment and learn how to use a BCA table. Teachers will bring the BCA method back to their classrooms and provide an extremely useful tool for the next generation of chemistry savvy students.

Session C-1: Modeling Stem Activities Into Classroom Practice, Sowmya Anjur

Professional Learning Day

Students understand concepts better when they have had a chance to work hands on with relevant material. Examples will be presented from my classroom where difficult concepts have been modeled into simple experiments with considerable success in enhancing student understanding. Special focus will be given to selected topics that students seem to have the most difficulty grasping. The objective is to enable students to transfer their understanding to solve complex problems with considerable ease and apply their understanding to real world scenarios on assessments. Suggestions will also be provided for implementation of various concepts into the high school classroom.

Session E-1: Labs For Waves, Sound, And Optics, Brooke Schmidt

Professional Learning Day

I've been reworking our labs for waves, sound, and light this semester and I would like to share my work with you. These are a mix of both derivation and application experiments. I will also give suggestions for modifications for the middle school level.

Session E-2: Function Fundamentals, More Than X And Y, Carlo Ordonez, Steven M. Condie

Professional Learning Day

How many of your students say that √9 = ±3? This may have to do with a lack of understanding of functions. This session will highlight some of the nuances of functions with less formal, non-formula driven examples with which students can expand their understanding.

Session F-4: Developing Parametric Equations Using Mathematical Modeling, Mark Kammrath

Professional Learning Day

Designing project to develop student understanding of parametric equations and two modeling situations in which they are applied. No previous knowledge of parametrics is required by the students. The project requires two days of class time, with the remaining work done outside of class. This project is intended to be given three days into a unit on vectors.

Session F-3: “It Is Rocket Science”, Carmela Jones, Christine L. Moskalik

Professional Learning Day

All current NASA rocket launchers are no longer useable because all of the available rocket-fuel sources on Earth have been depleted. Participants will serve as NASA engineers tasked with developing non-fuel-based rocket launcher prototypes in an effort to maintain current and future NASA space programs and missions. Model how you will get your students to take off with Rocket Science.