Below are descriptions of past, present, and future workshops. We currently hold our workshops on site. We will happily tailor workshops to your needs; just let us know what they are. All of our workshops are hands-on, frequently with manipulative use, and with participants providing solutions for discussion. Teachers enjoy our workshops because they're immediately engaged in the material and have the opportunity to learn from each other.
A 15 hour series for 5th - 8th grade with focus on meeting WASL problem solving needs and EALR objectives. Reading, writing, and mathematics are integrated through problems and long term projects that draw from art, science, nutritional science, geography, money management, and other every day situations. Problems are mostly of the extended response type and encourage the use of multiple strategies. Specific teaching techniques are suggested and assessment of solutions is discussed.
A 6 hour series that runs in the three classes: What's the Probability, Persuading with Data, and Sampling Statistics. In the first class we will work through problems that demonstrate the difference between theoretical and experimental probability. We'll also look at some simple rules that help us compute probabilities. Once we understand the probabilities involved in a problem, we will use them to draw conclusions. These are frequently the beginning steps to making a decision. Manipulatives will include pennies, dice, and counters. Manipulatives give students a chance to explore probability in a hands-on fashion that will make it less mysterious. The second class is all about data analysis and data presentation. The third class combines ideas from the first two to deal with the questions: How can you use a sample to make predictions or statements about an entire population? and How accurate are those predictions or statements? It is not necessary to take all three classes.
A unique workshop for students and teachers. The first hour is devoted to the students with teachers participating, the second hour is devoted to the teachers. Probability and statistics are two powerful branches of mathematics that we can use to help us make decisions. In the first hour students and teachers will work through an extended problem that will involve both probability and statistics. We will collect data, analyze data, present data, and draw conclusions along the lines of what's expected on the math WASL. In the second hour we will examine some teaching techniques, assessment ideas, kinds of problems to work with and possible resources. We will also consider some other problems depending on time we have available. Grade levels: 5th - 7th. A 2 hour class.
This series will focus on groups of ideas that children can use as tools to solve problems. We'll use square tiles, graph paper, paper folding of rectangles, drawing, paper circles, and spinners. The problems and ideas are exactly those children are likely to encounter on the WASL. Having worked with the tools hands-on, they will have more success with transferring their knowledge to the paper arena of the test. Specific topics include area, perimeter, fractions, fair divisions of the whole, and probability. Grade levels: 3rd - 6th.
Students have the most difficulty with multi-step problems, and there are many of them on the WASL at the 7th and 10th grade levels. Where do you start, what are the connecting pieces, and when are you done? We will examine multi-step problems that combine ideas from at least two of the following areas: probability, geometry, algebra, data analysis, and number patterns. We'll use simple manipulatives and drawing as our "in" to a multi-step problem, and focus on what makes a complete WASL solution. The manipulatives have two purposes: 1) it gives students a more concrete understanding of the problem, and 2) for many students it adds a necessary element of fun. Grade levels: 5th - 8th. A 6 hour series.
While much of the topics remain the same, the expectation for reading comprehension goes up. Students are expected to have stronger reasoning skills as well. We will concentrate on problem sets that show this difference and are most likely not part of the standard 8th - 10th grade math curriculum. We will use manipulatives, calculators, and problem solving techniques that will help your students map their way through these more complex problems. Please bring the type of calculator your student's have access to. Grade levels: 8th - 10th. A 6 hours series.
Highly capable children need the opportunity to explore mathematics at a deeper level, not just go through the curriculum at a quicker pace. We must take advantage of their inquisitiveness and natural ability to analyze in order to further develop the thinking skills needed for mathematical exploration, making conjectures, proving theorems, and applying mathematical analysis to a variety of situations. This series consists of 4 independent 2 hour classes. The topics are: Geometry, Number Theory and Algebra, Probability and Statistics, and Graph Theory and Combinatorics. Common threads will be identified throughout the series. Teaching techniques include looking at a problem from several viewpoints and exploring the consequently different solution flow. Contact us for more information.
Need a refresher course? Were some of your staff unable to go to past training classes offered by the Puget Sound ESD? We can come to your school and help you make the most of the Toolkit materials for your current objectives. Grade levels: elementary or middle school. 2 hour class.
Making an hypothesis, testing an hypothesis, analyzing data from an experiment are part of the WASL, but many of the WASL questions require a well-developed common sense based on scientific fact and experience. The investigative approach to science teaching helps develop this common sense because students gain new knowledge through a combination of both mental and physical activities that reinforce one another. We will test our own common sense against WASL type problems, discuss appropriate activities that stimulate scientific common sense, and work through a variety of data driven problems. Resources and suggested topics for teaming with a math colleague will be discussed. Please be willing to share your wisdom. Grade levels: 5th - 8th. Can be a 4 or 6 hour series of 2 hour classes.