As a kid, I looked forward every week to watching particular shows on television with my family as after-dinner (and after-homework) entertainment. I’m pretty sure that the only reason I finished my homework some days was to be able to watch the particular show with my family. With our on-demand, binge-watching tendencies these days, I’ve found alternatives to keep my curiosity alive with regular releases and cliff-hangers that consistently prod “what will they do next?”
Confession time. One of my favorites is the weekly NY Times Modern Love column. Before you apply any labels to me, I probably need to explain why this column is so intriguing to me. The premise, if you’re unfamiliar, is that writers get 100 words to tell their love story. It’s important to note this isn’t just romantic love, this is familial love, self-love, love of a particular meal or location, and more. The definition of “love story” is as widely interpreted as the diversity of the readers. But what intrigues me the most is that writers get only 100 words.
You may be used to such stringent word counts — between short bios about our careers and character-limited social media posts — but to tell a story in 100 words seems like an impossible feat. And yet, every week there are more stories to read, with lives, experiences and perspectives all described in a few sentences. Each word seems to be strategically and purposefully chosen.
Do you think your math story would be a love story? Sarah Strong first introduced me to the idea of Dear Math letters, and I've found them incredibly useful in getting to know colleagues and students, and reflecting on my practice as a math educator. (If you'd like to learn more, she's coming out with a book on the insight she's gained from them, soon!)
Challenge yourself to draft something up and share with us. Or ask students or colleagues to create Dear Math letters (word limit or not) and see what you learn about yourself and others. And if you're curious, you can read how I paired it down to 100 words here.
As we close out 2021, we hope that you find the rest and joy you need.
Audrey Mendivil
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Curious Kids: TK-2 Math and Science Storylines
Learn how the authentic integration of science and mathematics in TK-2 can activate student curiosity for deeper learning. Identify connections between the subjects and walk away with ways to implement integration in your classroom. Learn more and register to attend from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 19 and 26.
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Park City Mathematics Institute (PCMI) Teacher Leadership Program
Apply to be a part of the three-week residential professional development program for school teachers in grades 3-12, held in Park City, Utah, as part of the larger PCMI program that involves all members of the mathematics community. The purpose of the TLP is to provide opportunities for teachers to experience and enjoy mathematics while participating in developing the art of teaching. Learn more and apply for the PCMI Teacher Leadership Program.
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Greater San Diego Math Council (GSDMC) Annual Conference
Plan on joining local educators on Saturday, Feb. 26 at the Rancho Bernardo campus of Palomar College for an exciting day of learning together. Registration will be limited due to physical distancing requirements, so be on the lookout at GSDMC Annual Conference.
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San Diego Math Leaders Summit
Playing math may be more powerful than we think when we branch beyond prescriptive games and ignite curiosity, wonder, and joy in patterns, shapes and relationships. Join us as we launch our countywide Play Math! initiative, and consider how playing in math can help accelerate learning, support social-emotional wellness, and bridge the gap between families, communities, and schools. Hear about innovative practices, explore playing math for yourself and your TK-12 students, and leave with a design and tools to start leveraging math play in your local community. Register for the San Diego Math Leaders Summit on March 3 to collaborate and learn with other San Diego County math leaders, and get ready to play math!
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National Math Educator Events in 2022
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SDSU Graduate Program for Mathematics, Science Education
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Equity Conference
Join hundreds of educators, parents, students, policymakers, advocates, and community members to advance educational equity for California’s students at the 2022 Equity Conference on Jan. 20 and 21 at the San Diego Convention Center. The Equity Conference will be an opportunity to grow and learn as we work to make our campuses safe spaces for all students, staff members, and families, where they feel honored and valued.
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Register today to access the discounted early rate.
- Look for the Play Math! booth to explore a new outreach opportunity.
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Learning and Leading for Equity
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Catch up on your favorite math podcast from SDCOE’s Audrey Mendivil and Mark Alcorn while they take a break this month. The asynchronous book club for educators makes it easy to read along, learn and explore, then continue the conversation on Twitter with #SumMathChat or by email at sumofitallpodcast@sdcoe.net.
Dive into a compilation of articles in Short Reads (Season 4), selections from Cathy Seeley’s Faster Isn’t Smarter (Season 3), explore how to become a better teacher of students with disabilities with Humanizing Disability in Mathematics Education: Forging New Paths by Paulo Tan, Alexis Padilla, Erica N. Mason and James Sheldon (Season 2) and learn about transforming our classrooms with Peter Liljedahl’s Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics (Season 1) with the Sum of It All podcast.
The new season will begin in January.
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2021-22 PAEMST K-6 Application Cycle Now Open
Do you have an outstanding science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science teacher in your life? Applications for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are now open for the 2021-2022 Award Cycle. Nominate an exceptional K-6th grade STEM teacher for PAEMST today! Nominations close Jan. 7.
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Revised Mathematics Framework Timeline
The 2021 Mathematics Framework for California Public Schools: Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve (Mathematics Framework) is under revision. The second public feedback period opens in January. Prepare to provide feedback by reading the drafted chapters. If you’d like to get regular updates from the California Department of Education, join the mailing list. |
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Earn a Math Credential with New Intern Program at SDCOE
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Mathematics, Policy, and Leadership Network
Interested in learning more about policy news and events? Join SDCOE for our Mathematics, Policy, and Leadership Network for the next event on Nov. 16. For more information email Mindy Shacklett.
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Walmart Local Community Grants
Grants available for K-12 schools to support and strengthen communities directly in the service area of the facility from which they are requesting funding. Grants range from $250 to $5,000. Current funding cycle ends Dec. 31, and can cover classroom materials, math manipulatives, instructional support materials and more.
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Professional Learning Funds
Fund For Teachers (FFT) is awarding fellowships up to $5,000 for educators or $10,000 for educator teams to fund projects that support professional growth and development. Funding is intended to offer educators the tools required to pursue self-designed professional learning experiences.
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GSDMC Grant Opportunities
Grants from GSDMC are available to local educators and awarded on a rolling basis to support teachers during the pandemic. From integrating technology to providing manipulatives and supporting access and equity for all students, GSDMC has a grant or scholarship for you.
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For those who prefer a video to text, Meet a Mathematician is committed to sharing stories of mathematicians from different backgrounds, especially from historically excluded groups, with the aim of introducing students to role models and fostering a sense of community. Redefine who you think of when you hear “mathematician” and help students to see representation across identities in these videos and at partner websites, such as Indigenous Mathematicians and Minority Math.
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We’re compiling a few of our favorite math activities for your students, friends, and families to close out 2021 and ring in the new year:
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Quarter the cross is a perfect example of a low-floor and high-ceiling task, as students are asked to shade in one quarter of a shape. Challenge yourself and your students to come up with a creative solution that isn’t already mentioned in the write-up.
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A mathematized version of Connect Four that can be played with a simple printout and a deck of cards. You might be surprised to find that children can make sense of negative numbers long before they are taught in school!
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Mathigon is offering a new puzzle each day in December as they count down the days until 2022.
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Desmos Art Contest is back again, and includes a category even for those of us older than 19. Dust off your Desmos skills, and enjoy creating something beautiful.
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Imagine a cross between memes and composition of functions and you end up with Trevor Reeh’s wonderful Twitter thread of examples. Scroll through to find the assignment and rubric that he uses to prompt his students to create these wonderful pieces of math art.
With over a year of thought-provoking episodes recorded, Dr. Pamela E. Harris and Dr. Aris Winger continue to share their thoughts and wisdom in Mathematically Uncensored, “a podcast where our talk is real and complex but never discrete.”
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The Sum of it All newsletter.
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Get up-to-the-minute information about what's happening at SDCOE
and in our districts across the county.
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