Upcoming events
Register now for What's So Great about Singapore Math? Saturday, October 12, 9 AM
Register now for MSMI's October 12 talk, What's so Great about Singapore Math? 9:00 - 10:30 AM at Macalester College, Olin-Rice Science Center, St. Paul, MN. Singapore's Primary Mathematics program is an internationally renowned elementary mathematics curriculum, producing top international results year after year. Is it really that much better than other curricula? Is it really possible that teaching arithmetic well is difficult? Can the pedagogy matter for something as easy as addition? Yes, yes, and yes, and this talk will show you why. Meant for both parents and educators, this talk will explain the main ideas of Singapore's Primary Mathematics program, what makes it so special, and why it is producing top results. You will learn the core features of a solid mathematics education, focusing on the skills and knowledge needed year over year to be prepared for algebra, and how Primary Mathematics curriculum succeeds in giving your student that preparation. Along the way, you will learn what steps you can take to ensure your child's mathematical preparation for algebra, and how you and your student can enjoy learning mathematics. The speaker for this event is Allison Coates, executive director of MSMI. Ms. Coates holds an S.B. in Mathematics from MIT and an M.S. in Computer Science from University of California, Berkeley. The talk is approximately 90 minutes, with time for questions. It is free of charge, but space is limited. Please contact Allison by email at allison@msmi-mn.org to reserve your space or register here. |
Register now for Singapore's Primary Math strategies, October 26, November 9, and November 23
Register now for a 3-workshop event, Singapore’s Primary Mathematics This is a 3 part series of workshops designed to introduce instructors and parents to the mathematical content and pedagogy of Singapore’s Primary Mathematics curriculum. Attendees will learn the what, why, and how of Singapore’s famous curriculum, and how to bring these strategies and concepts into their own classroom, regardless of their current curriculum. No prior knowledge or use of Primary Mathematics is required. Taught in three morning sessions, these workshops help orient instructors to both the big picture goals of each year of elementary math instruction as well as the detailed methods and tasks used to ensure their students master both the conceptual understanding and procedural fluency of arithmetic, fractions, decimals, and more. While registration for each of the workshops is independent, instructors and parents are strongly encouraged to attend all workshops leading up to their desired level of material. Primary Mathematics’ pedagogy runs coherently throughout the series, and the foundational skills for students will come from familiarity with those topics in earlier grades. Each session will take place at Macalester College, St. Paul, MN, in the Olin Science Center. Workshops begin at 8:30 AM and end at 12 PM, and will consist of lecture and discussion with ample time for questions and answers. Workshop 1 on October 26, 2013, focuses on Primary Math’s Concrete->Pictorial->Abstract pedagogy and the concepts of equality, associativity, commutativity, distributivity, and place value. Specific concepts such as number stories, number bonds, making tens, mental math, and the importance of the standard algorithms in arithmetic for addition and subtraction are taught in depth. Appropriate for instructors and parents in grades K-3, this material corresponds to the content of Primary Math Levels 1A - 2B. Workshop 2 on November 9, 2013, focuses on Primary Math’s Concrete->Pictorial->Abstract pedagogy and continues to deepen the concepts of equality, associativity, commutativity, distributivity, and place value. Specific concepts such as multiplication, division, fractions and decimals are taught in depth. Appropriate for instructors and parents in grades 2-6, this material corresponds to the content of Primary Math Levels 2A - 4B. Workshop 3 on November 23, 2013, focuses on Primary Math’s pedagogy and the use of bar models for problem solving. Bar modeling is a powerful technique that provides an important bridge between the pictorial and abstract elements of Primary Mathematics, and provides the foundations for algebra. Specific topics include bar modeling applied to multiplication, division, fractions, and decimals. Appropriate for instructors and parents in grades 2-6, this material corresponds to the content of Primary Math Levels 2B – 5B. The instructor for this institute is Allison Coates. Ms. Coates holds an S.B. in Mathematics from MIT and an M.S. in Computer Science from University of California, Berkeley. 3.5 CEUs are available for teachers for each workshop. Each session costs $50. Space is limited. Payments can be made by online on by check. For more information, please contact Allison Coates at allison@msmi-mn.org. Register here for Workshop 1, October 26, 2013, covering US grades k-3 (Primary math books 1A-2B) Register here for Workshop 2, November 9, 2013, covering US grades 2-6 (Primary math books 2A-4B) Register here for Workshop 3, November 23, 2013, covering bar models in US grades 2-6 (Primary math books 2B-5B) |
Register now for Saturday, September 7th MSMI talk What's So Great about Singapore Math, 9 - 11AM
MSMI is pleased to present What's So Great about Singapore Math? Saturday, September 7, 2013 9-11 AM Rice Science Center, Room 350 Macalester College, St. Paul, MN Singapore's Primary Mathematics program is an internationally renowned elementary mathematics curriculum, producing top international results year after year. Is it really that much better than other curricula? Is it really possible that teaching arithmetic well is difficult? Can pedagogy matter for something as simple as addition? Yes, yes, and yes, and this talk will show you why. Meant for both parents and educators, this talk will explain the features of Singapore's Primary Mathematics and why it is producing top results. You will learn the core features of solid math education, focusing on the knowledge needed year over year to prepare for algebra. The speaker for this event is Allison Coates, executive director of MSMI. Ms. Coates holds an S.B. in mathematics from MIT, and an M.S. in computer science from University of California, Berkeley.The talk is approximately 90 minutes, beginning at 9 AM, with time for questions. It is free of charge, but registration is required. To register, go here. Middle School Mathematics Institute (MSMI) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation with a mission to help teachers, schools, and parents ensure students succeed at school algebra. Focused primarily on elementary and middle school grades 4-8, MSMI offers a variety of services that build the Bridge to Algebra. For more information, please contact us at www.msmi-mn.org or 612-293-MSMI. |
Register now for What's So Great about Singapore Math? June 13, 2013, 7 pm Macalester College
MSMI is pleased to present What's So Great about Singapore Math? Thursday June 13, 2013, 7:00- 8:30 PM Macalester College Olin-Rice Science Center, Room 350 Singapore's Primary Mathematics program is an internationally renowned elementary mathematics curriculum, producing top international results year after year. Is it really that much better than other curricula? Is it really possible that teaching arithmetic well is difficult? Can pedagogy matter for something as simple as addition? Yes, yes, and yes, and this talk will show you why. Meant for both parents and educators, this talk will explain the features of Singapore's Primary Mathematics and why it is producing top results. You will learn the core features of solid math education, focusing on the knowledge needed year over year to prepare for algebra. The speaker for this event is Allison Coates, executive director of MSMI. Ms. Coates holds an S.B. in mathematics from MIT, and an M.S. in computer science from University of California, Berkeley. The talk is approximately 90 minutes, with time for questions. It is free of charge, but registration is required. To register, please go here. |
Algebra Readiness talk, May 14, 2013 at 6pm, Washburn library
Registration is now open for the May 14, 2013 talk, Algebra Readiness: The Danger of Failing to Reach Mastery. This talk will take place at 6:00 pm at the Washburn Library, 5244 Lyndale Ave s, Minneapolis, MN 55419. This talk will discuss current issues in math education, focused primarily on getting students ready for algebra. We will explain the core features of a solid math program in grades k – 8 and highlight what’s missing in US Math Curriculum and Instruction. The at-risk populations in our local communities face devastating consequences from current failures in mathematics instruction. Effective remediation for students is especially difficult, yet without it, their future is bleak. Without intervention, a student who is not at grade level by 4 th grade will be unable to gain enough mastery to succeed in algebra – which is the gateway to higher mathematics, entrance to college, or even success in most vocational-technical careers. It is our hope that this meeting will begin a dialogue among community leaders who are already working with the most at-need populations, to work in partnership with MSMI to help students who are most at risk. |
Register now for MSMI's April 23 talk, Algebra Readiness: the Danger of Failing to Reach Mastery
Registration is now open for the April 23, 2013 talk, Algebra Readiness: The Danger of Failing to Reach Mastery. This talk will take place at 6:00 pm at the Augsburg library, 7100 Nicollet Ave. in Richfield, MN. This talk will discuss current issues in math education, focused primarily on getting students ready for algebra. We will explain the core features of a solid math program in grades k – 8 and highlight what’s missing in US Math Curriculum and Instruction. The at-risk populations in our local communities face devastating consequences from current failures in mathematics instruction. Effective remediation for students is especially difficult, yet without it, their future is bleak. Without intervention, a student who is not at grade level by 4 th grade will be unable to gain enough mastery to succeed in algebra – which is the gateway to higher mathematics, entrance to college, or even success in most vocational-technical careers. It is our hope that this meeting will begin a dialogue among community leaders who are already working with the most at-need populations, to work in partnership with MSMI to help students who are most at risk. |
REGISTRATION CLOSED for What's So Great about Singapore Math?
Registration is CLOSED for April 9th's What's So Great about Singapore Math? from 7:00 - 9:00 PM at Minnehaha Academy's Alumni House, 3105 46th Ave. S, Minneapolis, MN. If you are interested in hearing this talk, or having this talk at a time and location of your choosing, please contact Allison Coates at allison@msmi-mn.org. Thank you! |
MSMI Fractions Institute: New Format!
MSMI Institutes gave always been difficult to schedule--few teachers have a full week for professional development at once, in the summer or school year. This year, we are working on a multi-week course format, beginning in summer, lasting 6 weeks. It would again cover 30 hours of coursework, with 5 hours per week. More information is forthcoming. Please contact us if you'd be interested in participating! |
February 27 and April 9 2013: What's So Great about Singapore Math?
MSMI is pleased to present What's So Great about Singapore Math? Offered on two evenings, Wednesday February 27, 2013 and Tuesday, April 9, 2013, at Minnehaha Academy's Alumni House, 3105 46th Ave. S, Minneapolis, MN. Both talks are at 7 pm. Singapore's Primary Mathematics program is an internationally renowned elementary mathematics curriculum, producing top international results year after year. Is it really that much better than other curricula? Is it really possible that teaching arithmetic well is difficult? Can pedagogy matter for something as simple as addition? Yes, yes, and yes, and this talk will show you why. Meant for both parents and educators, this talk will explain the main ideas of Singapore's Primary Mathematics and why it is producing top results. You will learn the core features of solid math education, focusing on the knowledge needed year over year to prepare for algebra. The speaker for this event is Allison Coates, executive director of MSMI. Ms. Coates holds an S.B. in mathematics from MIT, and an M.S. in computer science from University of California, Berkeley. The talk is approximately 90 minutes, with time for questions. It is free of charge, but registration is required. Please contact Allison by email at allison@msmi-mn.org with any questions. |
MSMI Saturdays Fall 2012 announced
MSMI is pleased to announce a new series of Saturday sessions this fall: Strategies for Elementary Mathematics: Harnessing Singapore’s Primary Mathematics This is now a 4 part series of workshops designed to introduce instructors and parents to the mathematical content and pedagogy of Singapore’s Primary Mathematics curriculum. Attendees will learn the what, why, and how of Singapore’s famous curriculum, and how to bring these strategies and concepts into their own classroom, regardless of their current curriculum. No prior knowledge of or use of Primary Mathematics is required. These events are in a new location: Macalester College, Olin Science Center. Session 1 takes place August 18, 2012. For more information, please go here. |
1-10 of 17