Elementary Teacher Preparation in Mathematics

About this workshop

This workshop brings together mathematicians, mathematics educators, and elementary teachers for discussions about teacher preparation in elementary mathematics, including mathematics content knowledge, teaching practices, and perspectives about learning and teaching mathematics critical for the beginning teacher, with particular emphasis on aspects of teaching elementary school mathematics that have been misunderstood, under-appreciated, or neglected.

The workshop offers participants with widely varying backgrounds the opportunity to share their knowledge and experiences and gain new insights from those with different expertise.

The workshop is guided by the following questions:

1. What mathematical knowledge, practices, or habits of mind are important in the preparation of elementary school teachers?
2. What are examples of activities that have proven effective in developing these?
3. What aspects of mathematics, mathematical practice, or mathematical habits of mind are under-appreciated or inadequately addressed in the mathematical preparation of elementary school teachers?

Schedule

Thursday, February 28

• 4:00–4:30, Welcome and introductions
• 4:30–6:00, The Teaching Work of Using Mathematical Representations with Students, Tim Boerst
• 6:00, Reception

Friday, February 29

• 8:30–10:00 The role of models and generalizations, Kate Abell, Claudia de Luna Castro, and Ginger Hanlon
• 10:00–10:30 Break
• 10:30–12:00 Current research on mathematics classes for future elementary teachers, Raven McCrory
• 12–1:30 Lunch (provided)
• 1:30–2:30 Panel: What makes teachers effective and what are the high leverage points in preparing effective teachers? Moderated by Denise Mewborn and Trudy Ives
• 2:30–3:00 Audience response to panel
• 3:00–3:30 Break
• 3:30–5:00 Digging into a problem or a topic, Ginger Warfield

Saturday, March 1

• 8:30–9:30 Videos of preservice teachers in Chicago classrooms, Sheri Roedel
• 9:30–10:00 Break
• 10:00–12:00 World Cafe: Some examples from our practice, Nesrin Cengiz, Judi Laird, Jim Lewis, Marion Reynolds
• 12:00–1:30 Lunch (on your own)
• 1:30–3:00 Less is More: Using Routines to Prepare for Mathematics Learning, not for Mathematics Activities, Susan Jo Russell
• 3:00–3:15 SHORT BREAK
• 3:15–4:00 Closing discussion