#TCM17 by Jennifer Brackney

I was able to attend Twitter Math Camp 2017 through the financial support of MCTM and the Karen Longhart Memorial Scholarship.   

Montana Stars: Jennifer Brackney, Tony Riehl, and Kerry Gruizenga

Twitter Math Camp is awesome professional development that happens each July. This year’s conference was held in Atlanta, Georgia, July 27^th-30^th. During this three day meeting, 200 of the countries most innovative and passionate teachers gather to share their best ideas with one another. Over the three days, educators participate in an intensive 6 hour training in a topic of their choice, as well as 1 hour sectionals, 30 minute sectionals, discussion groups, 10 minute “My Favorite” presentations as well as a whole group keynote presentations each day that address broad topics in mathematics education. There are also lots of social opportunities to get to know teachers from across the country including TMC Trivia Night hosted by the Montana delegation.

The difference between TMC and most PD offered is the ongoing learning and conversations throughout the year through Twitter and the hashtags #TMC17, #MTBos and #iteachmath and well as the relationships that are built during the conference. This was the second TMC that I have attended and I hope to continue to be able to attend each summer as I always come home with lots of new ideas to try in my classroom. If you are interested in attending with me next year, let me know - @jwbrackney on Twitter. TMC18 will be happening in Cleveland, Ohio, July 19-22. Registration usually opens in February with presenters getting first priority.

Does it bring you joy?

Teaching is a tough job. In these times, when teachers are political targets, it can be easy to get bogged down in all the hard and terrible parts of the job.  In those moments, it is hard to remember exactly why you started teaching in the first place. 

This past year I read a book entitled The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up.  The book was written by an organizer named Marie Kondo.  The book focuses on her method for helping people declutter.  The primary question that her clients have to answer about each possession is "Does it bring you joy?".  This year I have tried to use that advice to focus on the things I love about my job rather than the things that I don't.  

My youngest daughter whose laughter brings me joy

The years between 0 and 22 are a time of wonder and discovery.  I got into teaching so that I could get a chance to experience that wonder and discovery alongside the students I teach.  I take so much joy from watching my students learn new things, overcome obstacles, and discover who they want to be when they grow up.  I am  continually humbled that I get to be a part of that development for so many children and young adults (including two children that I gave birth to). 

This past week, we had our second annual MCubed.  I spent two days surrounded by dedicated teachers from all across the state.  I got see the joy they get from working with students.  That joy is so evident in the way they talk about what they do, their energy, and their commitment.  Working with teachers like these is another thing that brings me joy. 

A new school year is upon us.  I hope that this year you celebrate those things about teaching that bring you joy and let go of all the parts of teaching that do not. Celebrate the little breakthroughs and the big ones.  Save the emails from grateful parents and colleagues.  Take time for yourself and your family.  Rediscover all the things that brought you to this profession. 

Best Wishes,  Hilary

Participate in MCubed from afar

As a reminder, MCubed is next week.  We have posted the schedule at http://tinyurl.com/mcubed2017.  If you aren't able to join us in person, you can still follow the conversation virtually.  We will be using Twitter and the hashtag #mctmmath to discuss conference topics both days.  

Congratulations to Jake Warner for his winning t-shirt design.  All attendees will be receiving a t-shirt and Jake will receive a free 2018 membership to MCTM.

See you all next week!

MBI Presentation

In June 2017, MCTM provided a Number Talks presentation at the 2017 MBI Institute in Bozeman.  It was co-presented by Becky Berg and Leanne Yenny. This was the largest institute yet, with 1400 people in attendance.  The Number Talks Session was a 3 hour presentation that included 90 participants from across the state.  

Before we go any further, you might be asking yourself, “What exactly is A Number Talk routine anyways?”  A Number Talk is short (5-15 minutes), ongoing daily routine that provides students with meaningful practice with  mental computation:

During this presentation, Montana educators were introduced to the theory, structure and focus of Number Talks.  They learned how Number Talks can be a valuable classroom routine in which students are making sense of mathematics, developing efficient computation strategies, and communicating their reasoning and solutions.  Participants engaged in Number Talks and understood the importance of the key components as well as how to use Number Talks to build classroom community. Leanne and Becky also discussed how sharing this routine is valuable to parents as well.

Participants were highly engaged throughout this 3 hour session.   Participants not only solved  problems mentally (ex. 70 - 34), but then watched video clips to see how students engaged in these same problems.  These classroom video examples were very helpful for them to see what  this routine looks like with students.

Leanne & Becky were pleased to see the engagement and hear their reflective comments on this routine. When given opportunities to share and discuss strategies, they were pleasant surprised what great risk-takers there were in this large group of 90 people! Strategies based on place value, properties, and the relationship were utilized, along with introductory experiences with an open number line.

Becky & Leanne want to say “thanks” to MBI and MCTM for allowing them to share this powerful routine with educators!  

MCTM Small Classroom Grant Awardee - Marie Stavish

With the MCTM Small Classroom Grant I was able to purchase 8 tablets for my classroom. Students are now able to access Desmos, TenMarks, and other math apps. With the tablets and iPads already
available, my classes now enjoy a two student to one device ratio. We use Desmos to play marble slides both with lines and parabolas and students also enjoy playing parking garage. I use TenMarks to supplement our daily work and plan to use the tablets and iPads more extensively next year.

BTW…anyone have any great android apps they would like to share with me?!