SEDL Monthly: September 2009

/ September 2009 /

				Featured PRODUCT Virtual Academy for Afterschool Afterschool Math Centers: Learning Through Purposeful Play The Virtual Academy for Afterschool offers a series of online interactive courses designed to build the knowledge and skills of afterschool instructors. The math course prepares instructors to engage students at a high level in different math-related activities, build their problem-solving and collaboration skills, increase their desire to learn, and ultimately extend their understanding through math. SUBSCRIBE NOW Visit SEDL's library of free resources on the SEDL Web site. Subscribe to SEDL Letter, our award-winning magazine, or AfterWords, our monthly e-mail bulletin from SEDL's National Center for Quality Afterschool.
Wrangling With Numbers: Making Math Work
Regional Mathematics Institute What strategies and actions are recommended to improve math instruction and achievement of students nationwide? These topics and other key factors were addressed during the Southeast Comprehensive Center’s (SECC) regional mathematics institute, "Constructing Foundations for Success: Implications of the National Mathematics Advisory Panel Report," held from July 28 through 30 in Atlanta, Georgia. The institute was designed to build capacity within state departments of education through timely, high-quality presentations related to the National Mathematics Advisory Panel Report (NMPR). Additionally, the institute provided access to professional expertise and resources in math based on the recommendations of the report. Teams from all five states served by the SECC—Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina—participated in the institute. To kick off the event, Russell Gersten, executive director of Instructional Research Group and a key member of the math advisory panel, provided an overview of the panel’s work. In addition, Tricia Coulter, Kristin McGraner, and Dan Reschly, of the National Comprehensive Center for Teacher Quality, discussed teacher education, critical foundations for algebra and math instruction, and preparation and development of effective math teachers. SECC staff led topic discussions and coordinated planning efforts of state teams around the NMPR recommendations.
Tips and Tools		Free Resources

What Can a Mathematics Teacher Do for the English Language Learner? Based on a professional development session that the Texas Comprehensive Center held for math and ESL specialists, this online interactive document includes teaching strategies for English language learners (ELLs) at various levels, critical components to include when designing math lessons, and a list of relevant resources. Read more		Afterschool Curriculum Choice: Mathematics Resources This online database is an initiative of PEAR (the Program in Education, Afterschool and Resiliency at Harvard University) and the SEDL National Center for Quality Afterschool. The database is designed to help afterschool and extended learning practitioners make informed choices about how they use high-quality mathematics resources to enrich their programs. Resources were selected based on their proven use in afterschool settings, and include challenging lesson plans and organized activities. Read more
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