Why choose Primarily Math to further your education?
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is bringing the Primarily Math program to Holdrege for the first time this summer. Classes begin May 31: http://scimath.unl.edu/primarilymath/gne/ Applications are due April 15, 2016.
Primarily Math is for outstanding Nebraska elementary teachers (grades K-3) who want to further study mathematics and the teaching of mathematics. and conquer any math anxiety. Teachers earn a K-3 Mathematics Specialist Certificate from UNL upon completion of the 18-hour graduate program.
Why Choose Primarily Math?
Primarily Math is the only graduate program in Nebraska designed specifically for teachers of kindergarten and grades 1, 2 and 3, focusing on the subject areas of mathematics and mathematical pedagogy.
Historically, formal education in the primary grades focused on the socialization of young children and teaching children to read. A lesser importance was assigned to teaching mathematics in the early grades and to showing elementary teachers how to teach mathematics. There is, however, a growing body of research that argues that the early years matter for the development of mathematical thinking and reasoning. Duncan and his colleagues reported that both math and reading skills at the point of school entry are consistently associated with higher levels of academic performance in later grades. However, early math skills not only predicted later achievement in math, but also in reading skills (Duncan et al., 2007).
Primarily Math gives you the training and leadership to be a K-3 Math Specialist at your school or district. Other benefits include:
• Teachers participate in a cohort, which takes all six courses together. It is summer-intensive and requires implementation of projects into a classroom environment, with a few weekend meetings, during the academic year. Since 2009, we have witnessed 13 cohorts of Primarily Math form close bonds with one another, and across cohorts. Remember, the first course is free!
• Past participants of Primarily Math co-teach all of the courses with University of Nebraska faculty and graduate students from the three campuses UNL, UNO and UNK.
• The mathematics courses in the summers model the pedagogy NebraskaMATH wants teachers to use. Learning is active, with small-group work, participant presentations and whole group discussions. Math courses have daily problem sets with problems ranging from straightforward to accessible but challenging “habits of mind” problems designed to develop the “habits of mind of a mathematical thinker.”
• Pedagogy courses are taught during the academic year, so that participants can complete assignments that directly tie course content to their teaching practices, including work with both students and parents. The courses focus on helping teachers become more intentional, planful, observant, and reflective in their teaching of all students.
• Between the faculty at several campuses, more than 300 past participants, and the staff at the UNL Center for Science, Mathematics and Computer Education, there is a robust support system in place for Primarily Math teachers, both during and after the program. You become a part of the NebraskaMATH team.
Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity that will help you, and your students, gain a greater understanding of mathematics.
Read more about funding and other details:
http://scimath.unl.edu/primarilymath/gne/