Math Newsletter - January 2024

Same But Different is a powerful routine to use in math classrooms. In this activity, two things are compared, calling attention to both how they are the same and how they are different.

This apparent paradox is the beauty of the activity. It is important to notice the word BUT. Instead of making a choice – am I going to prove that these are the same or am I going to prove that they are different – students are considering how two items can be both. This is a critically important distinction. Not same OR different, rather same BUT different.

Click here to read more about the routine, the steps for implementing it and also a website full of free examples you can use in the classroom. There are example for both elementary and secondary math! Also watch the short video below to learn more.

The Reference Sheets for PSSA Mathematics Grades 5, 6, 7 and 8 have been updated (especially in grades 7 and 8)!

The updates on the Reference Sheets all match existing content – there has been no change in the Assessment Anchors or Eligible Content. The goal of the changes is to provide additional information to students so they can demonstrate what they know on the PSSA.

⭐Click Here to read more about the specific changes and for links to the updated documents⭐

🌟There is still time to register!🌟 Riverview Intermediate Unit #6 is offering two free professional learning sessions for math educators. Click on the links in the titles to learn more and register. Reach out to Ben Brobst (bbrobst@riu6.org) with any questions.

PSSA & Keystone Math Open-Ended Task Bootcamp

• During this training, participants will review the PSSA Math Grades 3-8 and Algebra Keystone Test Blueprints and experience the new training sets of open-ended questions released by PDE. Participants will leave this training with a deeper understanding of how to prepare students for open-ended math problems on the PSSA and Keystone exams.
• February 28, 2024
• Audience: Grades 3-8 + Algebra Teachers

Enhancing Math Instruction with Desmos

• Desmos is an incredibly powerful tool for helping students make sense of the math they are learning by making math visual. This training will give participants experience on the platform with both the graphing calculator and the activity builder.
• April 10, 2024
• Audience: Grades 6-12 Math Teachers

It is time to move beyond teaching by telling during the main math lesson and embrace teaching through inquiry. Teaching kids step-by-step procedures and then asking them to replicate your thinking creates equity issues in the classroom and keeps kids from developing a deep conceptual understanding of big mathematical ideas. Hear more about 4 strategies that can be used during your main lesson to increase access and inclusion for all kids. Empower your students to develop rich, connected conceptual understanding and empower yourself to move beyond telling kids to "do it like me." Click Here to Register

• Date: Tuesday, January 16, 2024
• Time: 3:30 - 4:30 PM EST

Have you read or are considering reading Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics? Check out the Think. Thank. Thunk. book club on the book! In the series of episodes, the hosts dive into each chapter to discuss the big takeaways. They also provide teacher moves that they learned from experience that will help you implement each chapter’s practices.

Click here to learn more and listen or search Think Thank Thunk on your podcast app.