STEM updates
Princess Choi and Josh Kitzerow
This activity was organized primarily by Josh, and hosted/supported by Princess last week. Math 1 students were looking at packing in different sized pens (rectangles) into a specific area. This activity utilized systems of equations/inequalities and the MVP task 2.1 “Pet Sitter”. Here is a
Photo Album from the experience.
There was much success in this event and we are looking to expand it to other teachers. Currently we are developing a plan to run it as a whole department setting in a larger common area, and teachers that would like to attend can join in during the periods that apply to their respective schedules. More information will come for this as we get together with department chairs and site Administrators to plan the larger scale event.
Coding
Code.org & Hour of Code
At the recent STEM symposium there was a consistent theme of we need to support coding. One of the keynote speakers mentioned that programming and software engineering jobs are on the upturn. The Bureau of Labor has a projection that these are going to increase significantly by 2018.
One of the major ways educational institutions have been putting this into practice is with the hour of code. It takes place during the week of December 8-14 this year. With the 1:1 access and ScholarPlus initiative, this could be a great fit for PUHSD. Currently our district would like to support an effort to incorporate this activity with our students. To look ahead at this event and how we can plan it out, there’s information at the code.org, csedweek.org or hourofcode.com sites. The website also gives a basic overview of what one would need to do to host an hour of code experience:
Google Coding Club
Getting started with coding can be applied beyond the annual Hour of Code event. Google is supporting a similar program that takes place in an after school club setting. Program information can also be found at http://www.cs-first.com/. PUHSD should be receiving additional information on this soon.
The program is 8 sessions, average 90 (60 goes through too fast, 120 gets a little sluggish) minutes per session. This is often carried out over the course of 4-8 weeks (1-2 meetings per week). This is originally designed for middle school students, but is not restricted to specific age groups. The club utilizes pre-made curriculum from Google and Scratch. The program will also be provided with a free classroom set of headphones. The skills are taught through online screencasts, so the instructor doesn’t necessarily need any coding skills. Students can also complete add-on activities if they want to extend the activity beyond the 90 minutes (or if the student completes the other activities early. The only thing required from the local site is a room to meet in, adult supervision, and 1:1 devices for the students (which PUHSD already has).
The ready to go curriculum has themes: 1) Music and Sound, 2) Game Design and 3) Story Telling (Beta version). Planning materials for the themes are also available for teachers, as well as online training if a teacher would like to experience the process.
Piloting Evals
As PUHSD is looking at potential candidates for a textbook piloting experience, we want to be thorough and authentic with the texts we research. Some materials that may help in this process have already be created and shared freely. These updated systems have an updated focus on alignment to current standards and expectations of mathematical practices. One of these is a tool kit from Fresno County Office of Education that has been used in other districts throughout California. Another set of guidelines comes from the achieve.org: Educators Evaluating Quality Instructional Products (EQuIP). They have in particular a rubric for math materials.
Before the end of the semester we will be going through some training and experience this evaluation of the materials as a first round in looking for piloting options. As more information on that arises it will be included in the blog. This will be an agenda item for the upcoming Math Subject Area Committee (SAC) on October 13 (at SSC TR3).
Professional Development
Steve Leinwand & Downey Unified
Downey Unified school district has extended an invitation to their event that will feature Steve Leinwand. Here is a summary description from the flyer:
This fast-paced, example-laden, interactive workshop/seminar will blend the spirit of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics with the instructional practices required for successful implementation in grades 6-12. We’ll begin with a series of web available tasks to model and discuss the teaching and learning we envision and need to cultivate. On this foundation, we’ll briefly examine the benefits and challenges that arise from implementing the Common Core and then turn to a set of research-affirmed, easy-to-adapt instructional shifts that maximize accessibility to the mathematics we are teaching. For each instructional shift, we’ll model discuss and practice the shift. The workshop/seminar will end with an exhortation and practical ideas to build and use a range of collaborative structures that are essential for reducing professional isolation. Come prepared to play, share, question and learn.
PUHSD is looking to send a small group (5-10 teachers) to this. The event is free and substitutes will be covered. The event is available either Tuesday October 21 or Wednesday October 22. If you are interested in attending please email jedidiah.butler@puhsd.org or grant.bennett@puhsd.org. Please read the flyer for more information as well.
Other Events Math and Tech
- October 24-25 in Palm Springs, CA
- Oct 4-5 @ Coronado High School in Coronado, CA
- Oct 6, 2014 @ Dave and Busters in Orange, CA
- Oct 21, 2014 @ RCOE 13th street in Riverside, CA
- Nov 15, 2014 @ La Costa Canyon High School, Carlsbad CA
Haiku
