Month: June 2019

Get Hooked on Math at Confratute

 

Rachel McAnallen aka Ms. Math

Many years ago I was invited to present a strand at a conference called Confratute being held at the University of Connecticut. I met teachers and presenters who were not afraid to teach creatively. These were the teachers who believed in doing what was best for the student in the long run; they were the outliers of the education profession. My life was changed.

Over the years, I have taught two strands at Confratute.

In the strand Creative Mathematics, Is Not an Oxymoron, the participants will learn that naked worksheets, memorization without understanding, first and fast math are the neutron bombs of mathematical creativity and are some of the main causes of math anxiety. Conceptual knowledge (know why) will be presented in order to understand the algorithms and procedures (know how) that are commonly taught under the present system of outrageous and pressurized testing. This is a hands-on math strand using real fake money and polyhedral dice as the main learning tools. Laughter is a must in this strand.

Geometry Beyond the Textbook is designed for the art lover and the teacher who wants to go beyond the arithmetic part of mathematics. This is a “make and take” strand where the participants will leave with math models that become “kid catchers” when displayed in their classrooms. If as a teacher, you have students that have been turned off by the math and enter your classroom with a bad attitude about the subject then this is a way to get them to change their minds about this beautiful subject. Get hooked on geometry is the motto in this strand and a sense of humor is a requirement when entering the room.

Rachel R. McAnallen
rmathmania@aol.com

Renzulli Academies

 

Sally Reis and Joe Renzulli

Confratute is our favorite professional development opportunity of the year as each summer we meet such interesting and committed professionals from across the world. Joe and I are very excited about the SEM strand because we hope that more schools and districts will implement talent development programs based on the SEM after attending Confratute. SEM can be implemented as a gifted or enrichment programs, as a magnet or theme schools, or as a part of a general education classroom or school. One new outgrowth of SEM has been the development of Renzulli Academies, either schools within schools, or separate schools using all components of SEM.

During the last decade, over 45 Renzulli Academies have been developed in the United States and other countries, focusing on using SEM pedagogy for high potential students and these schools have been successful at ensuring high academic achievement as well as creating many opportunities for student and teacher creative productivity.

Renzulli Academies incorporate all components of the SEM and are designed for students who are passionate about learning and capable of advanced and creative performance in school. Students who attend academies are academically talented, task-committed, and curious. Especially important are recruiting original thinkers and students who are open to discovering their talents in a creative educational and those who are interested in innovation and creativity. We will be discussing new components of the SEM in our strand, including Renzulli Academies, and hope some of you can join us in the strand to learn about the SEM and how to apply it. Please check out the website for the Hartford CT Renzulli Academy below:

https://www.hartfordschools.org/renzulli