June 2017 Edition

Letter from the President June 2017
Submitted by Nancy Johnson

The summer is approaching. Just like solar batteries, it is time for all of us to recharge. For me, recharge means to relax, to rejuvenate, and to reflect.

Relax – Most of us look forward to the summer with thoughts of being on the beach, enjoying family and friends, cookouts, and getting some much-deserved rest. In this edition of Murmurs, ATMIM Board members have contributed toward a list of noteworthy books that may help to renew your excitement for teaching and learning mathematics. So choose a book or two, and hang out on the beach and read!

Rejuvenate – All of us, whether a new teacher or a seasoned veteran, want to breathe new life into our teaching practice. On our ATMIM website, you can find several conferences that are taking place during the summer. Consider refreshing your practice during the summer break and embracing some changes that you may want to make.

Reflect - As math teachers, our minds may immediately wonder to the geometric images of a reflection. The first image that comes to my mind is of the beautiful reflection of the landscape on a pond that I have travelled by on a beautiful sunny morning. Today, I am asking you to reflect on your teaching practice. What have you learned from your students this year? What goals do you have for your students going forward into the upcoming school year? How can you inspire your students to enjoy the challenges of mathematics? These are questions that do not have a right or wrong answer.  They are not easy for us to address in our busy professional lives, but over the summer you may be able to take the opportunity to consider, revisit, and redefine your responses to these questions. As you begin to consider these questions, wouldn’t it be helpful to discuss your responses with other mathematics professionals in your school as well as with others outside of your district? Do you have some great teaching strategies that you would like to share? Sharing resources, learning from each other, continuing to grow our practice; this is how ATMIM can help you.

As my term as President of ATMIM comes to a close, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to serve. I would like to remind you that you have the power to improve mathematics education. Share, learn, inspire, and be inspired.

'You cannot teach anybody anything. You can only help them discover it within themselves.' - Galileo

Summer 2017 Book Recommendations
Submitted by Cole Gailus

Below are book recommendations from the ATMIM Board on the topics of Math, Education, and Teaching Math. 

Mathematical Mindsets: Unleashing Students' Potential through Creative Math, Inspiring Messages and Innovative Teaching by Jo Boaler. This engaging and practical book takes research findings and applies them to teaching and learning mathematics for the success of all students. Jo Boaler, math educator and researcher, applies Carol Dweck's concept of 'mindset' into math teaching. It provides practical steps to improve math teaching and learning. Explanations of brain processes in learning mathematics and the importance of mistakes as valuable learning experiences are applauded. Examples of engaging problems and tasks and their varied solutions are graphically displayed. Math teachers at all grade levels would find this book valuable. - Joan Martin, Director 

Make it Stick: The Science of Successful Learning by Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III, and Mark A. McDaniel. The book shows how many of the conventional ways that are used to teach don't help students to really learn for the long term.  It also emphasizes the necessity of productive struggle for deep understanding and that sometimes teaching methods that seem easiest to help students to learn quickly aren't always best.  - Sandy Ollerhead, Secretary

Yes, But Why? Teaching for Understanding in Mathematics by Ed Southall. The book focuses on the question of "why" in regards to numerous mathematical topics taught in grades K-12, such as why the product of two negative numbers is positive and why fraction arithmetic works the way it does. In addition, it incorporates practical teaching tips and makes suggestions for how the topics can be approached in the classroom. - Jason Hardin, Director

Captivate, Activate, and Invigorate the Student Brain in Science and Math for grades 6 - 12 by John Almarode and Ann Miller. The book discusses the recipe for an engaged brain, presents each ingredient in a chapter and explains the brain science behind it. The author gives ready to use strategies and examples to help make each ingredient classroom ready. - Nancy Johnson, President

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Important Dates

July 9-12, 2017:

Second New³ Math Conference at Siena College in New York

November 2-3, 2017:
ATMNE 2017, Common Sense Mathematics in Marlboro, MA