Read. Write. Math. Leveraging Literacy for Mathematical Understanding

Word problems have a bad reputation and cause anxiety for many students and adults. This workshop series will focus on bridging the gap between confidence in literacy and numeracy. Students can leverage the reading strategies they’ve already learned so the reading doesn’t get in the way of the “mathing,” and we can help them. Students need access to math stories they can relate to and comprehend, and we can write them. Students need tools to help them make sense of problems, and we can share them.

Come learn about a framework for using contexts to deepen conceptual understanding, strategies for building confidence in solving word problems, and visual representations to help students mathematize stories and their world. Whether you love reading, writing, mathing, or all of the above, this is a workshop series you don’t want to miss.

*Sessions begin at 7:00pm ET. All event times are Eastern Time Zone.
**Tickets are non-refundable.

• Session 1: Read. Write. Math. The Habits of Good Learners (October 8)
  Students are often taught the habits of good readers, but what about the habits of good mathers? All students would benefit from these habits across all content areas. Together, we will explore routines and instructional practices that work in the literacy block that would be equally effective during math class. We are responsible for cultivating a love of learning while equipping students with the skills they need to be critical thinkers and confident problem solvers. 

• Session 2: Read. Write. Math. Let’s Share Stories Not Problems! (October 15)
  Word problems are not the enemy! On the contrary, contexts support conceptual understanding of mathematical ideas. By presenting problems that are relatable to students and representative of varied problem types, we can leverage reading strategies and sense-making to move away from number plucking. Together, we will explore the CGI framework as a guide for selecting, revising, and writing math stories that students can confidently approach. The reading doesn’t have to get in the way of the mathing!

• Session 3: Read. Write. Math. Visualizing for Mathematical Understanding (October 29)
  Students need to leverage the reading strategies they’ve already learned so they can focus on finding solutions to problems instead of abandoning comprehension and sense-making skills. As graphic organizers support reading and writing, bar models or tape diagrams support mathing. Together, we will explore the concrete-representational-abstract learning progression and its role in tackling word problems. Let’s solve problems together, modeling with cubes, drawing diagrams, and sharing anticipated strategies. 

• Session 4: Read. Write. Math. Let’s Add, Subtract, and Compare! (November 7)
  Did you know there are 11 problem types for addition and subtraction? By the end of second grade, students are supposed to have had experiences with all of them. Together, we will explore the situation types and practice identifying them to ensure students get the exposure and practice they need. We will revise and write math stories to engage students and sustain their interest, and practice making sense of stories using bar diagrams. When students are invested in the topics and make sense of stories before solving them, they can persist in finding solutions to problems.
• Session 5: Read. Write. Math. Let’s Multiply, Divide, and Explore Fractions! (November 19)
  Successfully solving problems with whole numbers and fractions in the elementary grades lays the foundation for algebra and beyond. Contexts illuminate mathematical ideas and deepen conceptual understanding. Together, we will explore multiplication, division, and fraction math stories, revise and write stories to make them meaningful and practice making sense of stories using bar diagrams. Students can learn and enjoy multiplication, division, and fractions without mnemonics, pizzas, and pies.

$75 per session or $299 to attend the virtual series!