From managing personal finances to making informed decisions by analyzing data, math skills are indispensable. To help teachers support math success, the K–12 Curriculum and Instruction Department at the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) will host two summer workshops for TK–12 educators focused on shifting to inclusive “thinking classrooms” in mathematics—moving from passive learning to active engagement—where all students are positioned as capable of learning math.
Attendees will receive a copy of Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics by Peter Liljedahl. They will follow the book’s structure to learn the importance of classroom environments that promote collaboration, inquiry, and mathematical discourse. The SCOE workshops will include social-emotional learning concepts and help support the implementation of the new California Mathematics Framework, which promotes equitable access to rigorous math instruction for all students.
Workshop 1: BTC Toolkits 1–3
Over five days, the first workshop will focus on building and refining the culture of building thinking classrooms (BTC). The BTC concept positions students to have equitable access to grade-level standards. The course will delve into three research-based “toolkits” that foster active learning, engagement, and mathematical thinking in any classroom setting. Educators will explore how to integrate the social-emotional learning (SEL) signature practices and how they enhance student belonging and motivation. There will be two rounds of team-driven “task study” in summer school classrooms. Participants will also learn how to apply macro and micro moves in their classrooms. The workshop will focus on Toolkits 1–3 (discussing the instructional shifts recommended in chapters 1–12 of the BTC book).
The first workshop runs for five days and is being offered twice. The cost is $125.
Workshop 2: Assessment and Individual Understanding
The second workshop will focus on assessment and ensuring that all students know where they are headed in their learning. Over two days, participants will learn how to transfer collective knowledge and activities to individual understanding. They will also learn the importance of launch/body/closure strategies that leverage the thinking classroom. The second workshop focuses on Toolkit 4 (discussing concepts in chapters 12–14 of the BTC book).
The second workshop runs for two days and is being offered twice. The cost is $50.
Workshop Details
Each session of the two workshops will be conducted in person at SCOE (8 a.m.–3:30 p.m.). Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Continuing education units will be available through CSUS at an additional cost. Additional details will be shared with registrants by email.