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the sum of it all math news
November 2019
“Which One Doesn’t Belong?” is one of our favorite structures for eliciting student thinking and reasoning in mathematics. For those new to the structure, there is at least one reason that each corner doesn’t belong to the remaining set. All you need to begin the discussion is to ask, “Which one doesn’t belong?” and “Why?” and you can be off and running. 

Ready for a twist? Give an incomplete set and ask for an entry for the fourth corner that completes it as a set. The trick: each corner still needs at least one reason it doesn’t belong to the rest. Want to try it out with us? Send us your entry for the missing corner for the incomplete set below with an explanation as to why it completes the set, and you’ll be entered in a drawing to win one of Christopher Danielson’s Which One Doesn’t Belong posters .  
Finish the set to be entered to win a poster!

Email your entry to cfgorman@sdcoe.ne t by 5 p.m. on Nov. 12 to be entered in the drawing. The winner will be announced via email to all entrants the following week.

opportunities to learn
Productive Struggle for All (TK-12)
How do we ensure that students with disabilities have access to grade-level mathematics? Discover the connections between Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and the Standards for Mathematical Practices (SMPs) to leverage learning for each and every student. We will dive into the role of collaboration and grouping in supporting all students, ways to transform Individualized Educational Programs (IEPs), and strategies and tools to support all students in building mathematical understanding. Designed for all educators who support students with disabilities in mathematics. Registration is open for the March 3 event .
Using Number Talks to Spark Mathematical Reasoning
(TK-5)
Learn how to integrate number talks into your existing instruction to improve student understanding of math concepts. Gain resources to guide planning and prepare customized number talks ready to implement with students. This one-day session is designed for educators new to number talks or those looking for a review. Registration is open for the Jan.14 event.
Amp Up the Arts and Math in steAM
The connection between math and each of the arts disciplines goes beyond the practical nature of computation to the core of what is truly beautiful about math and the arts. At each session, we will gain insight and access to a local creative space, experience a lesson together, and explore how you can continue the work of integrating math and the arts so that they share the leading role in your lessons.

Grades 7-9 Math and Art: Statistics and Infographics
Why are infographics so popular? The trend of turning data into an artistic story isn’t a new one, but is gaining in popularity. Discover the power of infographics as we blend art and statistics together to create a lesson designed to activate and empower middle school students.
Register now for Nov. 25, 4 to 6 p.m.
Make Math Moments Virtual Summit
A free, online math conference hosted by Jon Orr and Kyle Pearce featuring more than 20 of the most influential math education speakers. Register now to join the Nov. 16 and 17 summit.
California Math Council - South (CMC-S) Conference
A regional conference for all math educators. Join thousands of educators focusing on the beauty and brilliance of mathematics Nov. 15 and 16 in Palm Springs.
California STEAM Symposium  
The 7 th Annual STEAM Symposium will be Dec. 9 and 10 in Anaheim .
state and local updates
What We’re Watching…
In November, all eyes will be on the Cal State University System (CSU) with its anticipated decision regarding a fourth year math/quantitative reasoning requirement. Even with recent strong opposition, there is a core group that is working hard to ensure passage or to postpone the vote, providing additional time for more data gathering and information disseminating. To read more about the initiative that would add an additional quantitative reasoning requirement to prospective CSU students, visit CSU’s Expanding Opportunity Through Preparation in Quantitative Reasoning webpage.
 
Nov. 6-7: State Board of Education meeting. Several items regarding the state’s assessment system are scheduled to be discussed. Look for the 2019 Dashboard the first week in December.

Interested in learning more about these and other policy news and events? Join us for our next Mathematics, Policy, and Leadership Network meeting on Nov. 19. Contact Mindy Shacklett for more information and to register.
grant opportunities
Up to $5,000 for a teacher or $10,000 for a team of teachers. Funds summer learning experiences. Applications due Jan. 30.

Eight different grant opportunities with varying award amounts. Applications open Jan. 1 and are due May 1.

Applications are accepted year-round to support work in STEM education.
worth the read
Provides concrete examples of ways teachers are engaging all learners in discourse, particularly students with disabilities.

A response to Seattle Public Schools' proposal of K-12 Math Ethnic Studies Framework from Dr. Robert Q. Berry III, president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
spotlights


  • San Diego State University is offering a one-year Master of Arts in Teaching program focused on mathematics and science teaching (grades K-12), designed to help teachers improve their classroom practice by learning about and building on students’ content-specific ideas. Apply now for the program running Summer 2020 through Spring 2021. Learn more here.
Contact Christina Fekas-Gorman with questions or comments about The Sum of it All .
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