With the revision of the Nebraska state mathematics standards, Nebraska teachers of all grade levels are gearing up to strengthen mathematics achievement in their schools. Now more than ever teachers need new learning opportunities to prepare them for higher expectations and help them offer high quality math courses to their students. The Nebraska Math and Science Summer Institutes (NMSSI) offer graduate mathematics and pedagogy courses using a teacher-friendly delivery model that helps teachers respond to this challenge.
Math 801P: Geometry, Measurement & Algebraic Thinking for K-3 Math Specialists is the second course offered in the highly successful Primarily Math program of the NebraskaMATH grant at UNL, and it is coming to Beatrice as part of the NMSSI. Math 801P (Class Number 3705) will be held June 8-12 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at ESU 5. The audience is grades K-3 teachers. The instructor will be Noyce Master Teacher Jason Vitosh of Falls City Public Schools. (Note: Math 800P is not a prerequisite to take this course). See the NMSSI enrollment steps at http://scimath.unl.edu/nmssi.
To make the NMSSI professional development opportunities more affordable, Nebraska teachers automatically qualify for a Tuition Fellowship (20% of in-state tuition) for these graduate courses. By applying through Teach Nebraska, the $50 grad school admission fee is also waived. Teachers may apply for additional $300 fellowships from NMSSI to help cover tuition costs: http://go.unl.edu/scimathapply.
Math 801P promotes a deep understanding of geometry, measurement and algebraic thinking and its role in the K-3 mathematics curriculum. Emphasis is placed on mathematical argument related to geometric relationships, measurement, spatial reasoning, patterns, relations and functions. The course continues the development of “habits of mind of a mathematical thinker,” as they relate to geometric and algebraic thinking. Selected cases and student work samples serve as the primary vehicles through which teachers study connections between the mathematical content and student learning and development in the primary classroom. Topics in geometry include visualization; properties and definitions of 2- and 3-dimensional shapes; motion and change; symmetry; fundamentals of measurement; measurable properties; measurement and dimension; calculating measurements; and converting units of measurement. Topics in algebraic thinking include expressions, equations, symbolic representation, patterns and model drawing. Primarily Math courses have proven to make a positive impact on the mathematical knowledge of teachers and on student learning.
Advantages of the NMSSI program:
* Current Nebraska teachers qualify for a 20 percent discount on in-state tuition at UNL
* Teachers can apply for a $300 tuition fellowship from the NMSSI
* Free lunch will be provided each day of class
For more information on how to register, apply for fellowships and review the other NMSSI courses across the state, please visit: http://scimath.unl.edu/nmssi. Direct any questions about UNL and fellowships to nebraskamath@unl.edu.
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Center for Science, Mathematics & Computer Education