Our 3-Day Math Institute is segmented into two strands: Introduction to Balanced Mathematics and Building From What We Already Know.

Strand: Introduction to Balanced Math

Sessions in the Introduction to Balanced Math strand are designed for participants who are new to mathematical offerings from the Partnership for Inquiry Learners, those looking for a reboot, or those looking to solidify their professional development offerings in their schools or districts.

Balanced Mathematics: Number Work and Inspecting Equations

Number sense is essential in order to build a strong foundation for mathematical understandings. Similarly, equations allow students to communicate their ideas abstractly. This session will introduce a variety of easy-to-implement activities that will inspire deep, lasting, and immediate change in elementary mathematics classrooms.

Balanced Mathematics: Problem Solving

The phrase “solves real-world problems” is prevalent throughout the Indiana Academic Standards for Mathematics. This workshop will introduce attendees to ideas that go beyond simply offering “story problems” to students. We’ll discuss relevance, differentiation, and a variety of other important issues that will ensure students make meaningful connections to the world around them.

Balanced Mathematics: Thinking About Implementation in Your Classroom

Often, educators think the Balanced Mathematics model is “one more thing” they need to do on top of everything else they need to accomplish. This workshop will demonstrate ways that this model strengthens textbook teaching and/or empowers educators to take back control of the mathematics curriculum.

Strand: Building From What We Already Know

These sessions are designed for participants who have already attended several workshops by Courtney and Ryan Flessner. The Flessners are always learning, always thinking, consistently adding resources to their repertoires, and modifying ideas you may already know. If you feel like you’ve “seen the Flessners,” this strand is for you!

Choral Counting and Counting Collections

Choral Counting and Counting Collections are fantastic routines to include in your number work repertoire in your classroom. During this session, we’ll get the basics down on how to effectively implement each activity in your classroom as well as how they connect to the rest of the Balanced Mathematics framework.

I Found It On the Internet! Seriously Though, You Can Make It Better!

There are so many great ideas we can find by doing a simple Google search. As busy teachers, they feel ready to go and serve great purposes. However, how can we do just a little extra work to raise the rigor and connect simple ideas to Number Work, Inspecting Equations, and Problem Solving? By taking a few extra steps, we can hit multiple standards and push our students’ thinking in our classrooms!

Math Games: What Can Teachers Learn While Kids Are Playing?

Math games are awesome opportunities for kids to have fun while learning and practicing their basic math facts. However, the time spent doing so is also an opportunity for teachers to formatively assess and think about next steps children might need in their learning. In this session, we will review some games you may already know, learn some new ones, and practice using them as a tool for data collection.