PRIME Professional Development Opportunities
Fall 2007

Registration: Please contact Dixie Stephens at RCAS

Course Title: Data Analysis and Probability for K-12 Educators (ED 631)
Instrutor: John Alsup
Target Group: K-12 math teachers
Available Credit: 2 BHSU graduate credits
Dates: 9/13, 9/20, 9/27, 10/4, 10/18, 10/25, 11/8, 11/15, 11/29, & 12/6
Time: 4:15-7:15 pm
Location: Stevens High School

This course is designed for K-12 educators to deepen their understanding of data analysis and probability concepts that build from kindergarten through high school. Consistent with the Principles and Standards for School Mathematics, published by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, this course emphasizes methods of collecting, organizing, and displaying data; using appropriate statistical methods to analyze data; evaluating inferences and predictions that are based on data; and understanding and applying basic concepts of probability. Instruction revolves around rich mathematical tasks and includes explicit attention to questioning, conjectures, and justification. Participants reflect on the benefits and challenges of this kind of learning environment and consider implications for their own teaching.

Course Title: RELEARNING TO TEACH ARITHMETIC: ADDITION, SUBTRACTION, MULTIPLICATION, & DIVISION
Instructors: Nancy Ward/Joel Albright
Target Group: grades K-7 teachers & special education staff Lane Change Status: all certified staff Available Available Credit: 2 credits BHSU undergraduate or graduate/2 credits SD Recertification/30 credits C.E. /Audit
Date: September 26, October 3, 10, 17, 24, November 7, 14, 28, December 5, 12, 2007
Time: 4:30pm - 7:30pm
Location: Valley View Numeracy Office

Note: Rapid City teachers will be given priority for this class.  All other applicants will be placed on a waiting list and will be admitted as space allows.

This professional development course guides teachers to think critically about students' comprehension of arithmetic.  Participants view and discuss video segments and then work on related math problems and discussion questions.  The videos focus on students as they demonstrate and explain to their teachers and classmates how they have solved problems involving whole-number computation.  The videos also include narration and a number of interviews with teachers who offer their perspectives on the kinds of learning environments that support students as they build their understanding of concepts related to addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
 
Addition and subtraction are a focus of the primary grades, and multiplication and division receive more emphasis in grades 3-5.  By learning about computation across the grades, we are better able to understand how these ideas develop, how they are connected, and how students within and across grade levels, develop an understanding of whole number computation. 

Course Title: COGNITIVELY GUIDED INSTRUCTION IN MATHEMATICS: CGI I and CGI II COMBINED
Instructor: Kim Clark
Target Group: grades K-5 teachers & special education staff Lane Change Status: all certified staff Available Credit: 2 credits BHSU graduate/2 credits SD Recertification/30 C.E. credits/Audit
Date: Sept. 20, 27, Oct. 11, 18, 25, Nov. 8, 29, Dec. 6, 13, 20, 2007
Time: 4:30pm - 7:30pm
Location: Valley View Numeracy Office

Rapid City teachers will be given priority for this class.  All other applicants will be placed on a waiting list and will be admitted as space allows. 
 
Cognitively Guided Instruction is a combination of Cognitively Guided Instruction I and Cognitively Guided Instruction II.  Participants who have taken either class may not take this class for any type of credit.  If you have previously taken "CGI I" and are interested in "CGI II", contact the instructor.

This class is designed to assist teachers in using research-based knowledge about children's mathematical thinking to guide instruction.  Participants will learn by watching, discussing, and reflecting on how students solve mathematical problems.  Participants will learn about a structured framework of mathematics and how children's thinking evolves through the four operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.  The text Children's Mathematics will be provided by the PRIME Grant.