Get energized with a video and chat about rough draft talk

A problem can change while we’re figuring it out. Our ideas changed and they changed the question we were asking.

- A fifth grader, responding to Dan Meyer about what he learned about mathematics

Do your students struggle to share their thinking for fear of being wrong? With the second video in our series designed to start conversations that energize, engage, and empower teachers ahead of the 2019 Annual Conference, we invite you to watch Dr. Amanda Jansen’s video on rough draft talk. How do you make students feel safe to share their “rough draft” thinking while they are figuring things out? Follow @cctmath on Twitter and join other Colorado teachers of mathematics at 5 pm on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday to engage in a slow chat with the hashtag #CCTM19.

Did you miss our first video? You can find it here.

2019 Call for Nominations for the CCTM Board of Directors

One of the best ways to be involved and serve the Colorado mathematics community is to serve on the CCTM Board of Directors. This year there are 3 positions open:

• Treasurer

• Region 3 Representative (Aurora Public Schools, Adams 14, Bennett 29J, Northglenn, Thornton, Strasburg, Westminster, Byers, Cherry Creek, Deer Trail)

• Region 6 Representative (Districts in Western Slope counties: Moffat, Routt, Jackson, Rio Blanco, Eagle, Garfield, Mesa, Pitkin, Montrose, Delta, Dolores, Montezuma, San Miguel, Ouray, LaPlata, San Juan, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Archuleta, Grand, and Summit)

You can nominate multiple people per position and you may nominate yourself. Nominations close April 7, 2019. For the full call for nominations, including the nomination form, read more under the Be a Leader page on the CCTM website.

Get energized with a video and chat about productive struggle

CCTM is launching a video series to start conversations that energize, engage, and empower teachers in anticipation of the 2019 Annual Conference.  Each month we will share a video showcasing great speakers in math education, some of whom have spoken at previous CCTM conferences. Then, for the following three days, we will host a slow chat to engage our community in discussion around each month’s video. Join us in sharing your thinking on Twitter using #CCTM19.

This month’s video focuses on productive struggle. Principles to Actions (2014) says this:

Effective mathematics teaching uses students’ struggles as valuable opportunities to deepen their understanding of mathematics. Students come to realize that they are capable of doing well in mathematics with effort and perseverance in reasoning, sense making, and problem solving.

How are you thinking about productive struggle in your classroom? Check out what Robert Kaplinsky has to say in this video, then check @cctmath on Twitter tomorrow at 5 pm to engage in a slow chat with the hashtag #CCTM19.

Have you seen the new CMT?

CCTM has relaunched its journal, the Colorado Mathematics Teacher, as a web-friendly, open access publication that aims to cultivate a space for community, connection, and conversation for people invested in mathematics education in Colorado and beyond.

Heather Lynn Johnson, CMT Editor

CMT’s new editor is Heather Lynn Johnson, an associate professor in the School of Education & Human Development at the University of Colorado Denver. Heather brings extensive experiences in mathematics education at the K-12 and collegiate levels, including service as an editor of other journals. Heather served as a co-editor of the Tech Tips department of The Mathematics Teacher, NCTM's publication for high school teachers; she co-edited an issue of the journal ZDM Mathematics Education, focusing on mathematical tasks and the student; and she serves on the editorial board of the journal Mathematical Thinking and Learning. Heather is leading a revamping of CMT to better serve the professional learning needs of Colorado mathematics teachers, and will also represent the Mathematical Association of America on the CCTM Board of Directors. Assisting Heather with CMT will be three Associate Editors: Lisa Bejarano, of Desmos; Gulden Karakok, of UNC; and Geoff Krall, of the New Tech Network.

Recent Articles

Two articles have been published since the relaunch of the CMT:

• Investing Under Uncertainty: Mathematical Models and Computer Simulations by Alfinio Flores. This article explores how computer simulations (using both Geogebra and Python) can show how investing an optimum percentage of a bankroll can maximize investment returns.

• From Soliciting Answers to Eliciting Reasoning: Questioning Our Questions in Digital Math Tasks by Heather Lynn Johnson, Gary Olson, Amber Gardner, and Amy Smith. This article shows how digital math activities (co-developed with Desmos) functional relationships. Three design principles for the activities are discussed.

Write for the CMT

The CMT welcomes and encourages submissions. Submitting an article to the CMT starts with a proposal sent to the editor, and then you will work with the editorial team to draft, review, and refine a draft of 800-1200 words. The submission process, as well as other information for authors, is described in the submission guidelines. We hope you submit an article and add to the rich, award-winning tradition of the Colorado Mathematics Teacher.

No joke! Award nomination deadline extended to April 1

The deadline for award nominations for both CCTM and PAEMST has been extended to April 1. CCTM recognizes up to one K-6 and one 6-12 teacher from each region, as well as leaders from across the state. Nominees will be sent applications which must be returned by May 15. Awardees receive a plaque, $200, a one-year CCTM membership, and registration to the 2019 CCTM Conference. Please check eligibility requirements before nominating an excellent teacher or leader today.

The PAEMST nomination deadline has also been extended to April 1. The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is the highest honor bestowed by the United States government for K-12 mathematics and science teaching (including computer science and engineering). Awardees receive a paid trip to Washington D.C. to attend special events and professional development, a certificate signed by the President of the United States, and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation. For more information, see www.paemst.org.