Workshop Teacher

Mathematics Summer Institute Statement of Goals Attending the 2002 Summer Institute for Elementary School Teachers represents and exciting opportunity for me to further explore my interest in teaching mathematics, as well as an opportunity for me to apply and share my knowledge and experience with like-minded educators. I am a strongly committed to and enthusiastic about mathematics education at the elementary school level. I believe that ensuring that children are engaged and interested in mathematics in early elementary school is essential to building strong numeracy in our youth.

When young children develop an interest in math and strong skills as youngsters, they are more likely to continue studying mathematics as they grow older. In addition to these academic benefits, understanding and being able to apply math principles and concepts helps children grow into effective critical thinkers with a broader skill set. I hope to achieve several personal learning goals by participating in the Summer Institute.

During the first half of the workshop, I hope to be exposed to new techniques that I can apply in my classroom to make the mathematics curricula more relevant, innovative, and inclusive. I expect my lessons to "come to life" in my classroom when I have the chance to use the inventive manipulatives and strategies to which I would be exposed. Next, I expect to gain new knowledge about topics such as cryptanalysis and probability through attending the special lecture series featuring National Security Agency mathematicians.

Finally, I will learn a great deal through interaction and discourse with fellow Summer Institute participants based on their experience, knowledge, and practices. My plans and goals for enhancing elementary school mathematics through curriculum development during the second half of the workshop are two-fold. First, together with the writing partner with whom I am paired, I expect to create an innovative unit of study that will engage students through a variety of techniques and learning strategies that are relevant to their worlds.

All curricula will meet the mandate of the Summer Institute, and be consistent with Maryland State Core Learning Goals and NCTM standards. As well, the unit of study will be fully inclusive, addressing issues of diversity applicable to students across the state of Maryland. Strategies (and suggestions for modifications to those strategies) will be developed to address varying cultures, language specifications, special needs, and multiple intelligence theory. In accounting for diversity, learning strategies will be varied and highly interactive.

In keeping with my philosophy of education, students will have the opportunity to express any given concept in a variety of ways, ensuring that they are able to learn and succeed regardless of their preferred learning style. This will build a strong mathematics foundation in students who learn through this unit of study. Second, the curriculum produced by my partner and I will be designed to help teachers create a dynamic and "fun" learning environment in their mathematics classes as it will be practical, clearly articulated, and contain usable materials.

Teachers who have traditionally.