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BCAMT Fall Conference Friday, October 20, 2023 -
Learning Mathematics: It's Relational
The BCAMT supports members by hosting virtual gatherings to discuss books related to mathematics and/or education.
We’re excited to announce our upcoming BCAMT Reads event…
by Anne Watson
Join hosts Sean Chorney and Susan Robinson for a virtual discussion of Anne Watson’s book, Raising Achievement in Secondary Mathematics.
“Anne Watson presents a provocative perspective in her book and argues, for example, that simplifying mathematical questions for previously low achieving students runs counter to the learning of mathematics. She provides empirical evidence and strong argumentation of how mathematics can be taught more equitably and authentically and provides suggestions as to how to support previously low achieving students.”
Sign up through this form: https://forms.gle/SYLZ21jZNsHyCv4f9
A Zoom link will be sent the day before the meeting.
There are lots of secondhand copies of this book available online through Abebooks (if you want to avoid Amazon).
The BCAMT also encourages educators to take part in school- or district-based book clubs. If you are interested in starting one up at your location, here are some tips that we think you’ll find helpful:
Is it to talk about the successes and challenges of implementing practical ideas in your classroom? Or, is it to broaden your philosophical understanding of or personal relationship with mathematics? Is it both? Is it something else?
Some titles, such as Becoming the Math Teacher You Wish You’d Had and Necessary Conditions, are all-encompassing and, as such, will need to be discussed over many months. Others, like Number Sense Routines and Open Middle are more narrowly focussed and lend themselves to shorter “learning sprints.” Decide how often you will come together. Try to find your team’s “Goldilocks” schedule: enough time for each member to read the next chapter, but not so much time that the momentum of the group is lost.
Book clubs are successful when participants follow mutually agreed upon expectations. Beyond social norms, these might include reading the designated section prior to each meeting, trying a task or practice from a previous chapter, or sharing samples of students’ mathematical thinking related to the reading.
If possible, take turns serving as the “host” of each meeting. Organizing and leading every meeting can be a bit too much to ask of a single–already busy–colleague.
Most professional learning titles contain reflection or discussion questions, either within the book itself or through a companion website. Choose one or two questions; there won’t be time to answer them all! Alternatively, pose one of the following sets of questions (and don’t shy away from repeating them at different meetings):
The BCAMT recommends the following titles as candidates for your site’s book club:
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The BCAMT is a Provincial Specialist Association of the BC Teachers’ Federation.