The Connecticut State Department of Education has created a listserv for math educators within the state.  The purpose of this listserv is to keep educators informed of professional learning opportunities and to provide general updates about math education.  In order to ensure that you get the most pertinent information, please take a couple of minutes to provide some general information by visiting: https://goo.gl/forms/yBaxguQkiiASa3zA2.

“Mystery of the Ocelot and the Agouti” and Other Engaging TI-84 Plus Activities 
Oct. 25, 7 p.m. Central time
Presenters: Sherri Abel, Kathy Hale

Register now > 

Explore engaging TI-84 Plus activities, including the “Mystery of the Ocelot and the Agouti,” that bring real-world data to sometimes hard-to-grasp concepts for middle grades and high school mathematics students. This free webinar will focus on:

• Using data to drive instruction and engage students
• Integrating real data to teach students how to curve fit
• Incorporating graphs to answer thought-provoking questions

Participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance, which may qualify for school or district professional development credit.  

Win registration for two to the 2017 T³™ International Conference
Attend this webinar for a chance to win complimentary registration for two to the 2017 T³™ International Conference, March 10-12, 2017, in Chicago, Illinois. (See rules.)

Best regards,

Charlyne Young
TI Educator Support Team

Dear MoMath friends,

Whether you like video games or physical games, solving puzzles or creating them, reading books or watching a story unfold before you, there’s something for everyone at MoMath this fall.  And don’t miss your opportunity to experience MoMath After Hours, the very first event put on by MoMath’s Young Patrons Circle — come dance the night away as you experience the world of math after dark.

Want to attend the MoMath Race to the Finish gala for just $100?
Text your pledged donation of $100 or more to 346-200-0538 by midnight on Sunday, October 23rd, and you'll be eligible to win a ticket to the MoMath gala, to be held at Guastavino's at 6:00 pm on October 25*.  Include your first and last name and the amount you would like to pledge, for example: "Leonardo Bonacci 100."  Don't miss your chance to enjoy an evening of interactive math fun, to mix and mingle with some of the top names from the worlds of math, finance, and entertainment, and to hear from Nate Silver in person just two weeks before the election.

*MoMath must receive at least 15 donations to award the prize. Just a few more pledges needed; multiple pledges are allowed!

Follow MoMath on Social Media

New at MoMath!
Don’t miss your chance to take a spin on a trefoil knot or drive along the single surface of a Möbius strip with MoMath’s newest exhibit, Twisted Thruway!  Then, celebrate the work of renowned Spanish sculptor Miguel Berrocal as you try your hand at solving a replica of one of his stunning and intricate puzzle sculptures in the gallery show The Insides of Things.  Finally, make sure to catch the temporary exhibit Super Cube Shuffle, where speed, dexterity, and pattern recognition can make you a champ.  Visit soon, because Super Cube Shuffle will only be at the Museum through November 13!

Announcing Unlimited, a new program for middle school students
MoMath is launching an exciting new drop-off program this fall just for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders (no parents allowed!).  Unlimited provides an opportunity for students to make new friends and have an endless amount of mathematical fun, including nights of music, games, and more.  Register here to be notified about the launch event, coming this fall.

Significant Figures
Significant Figures is a series of twelve educator-led workshops offered to seniors.  Workshops are held Wednesdays from 3:45 to 4:45 pm from now through December.  As an added bonus, on the first Wednesdayof each month, full-session registrants are invited to enjoy reserved priority seating for Math Encounters with a special opportunity to meet the presenter right before the program begins.  Sign up now for individual workshops or for the full or half series and receive a discount.  Learn more and register at significantfigures.momath.org.

The Friday Institute at NC State, has two exciting professional learning opportunities that may be of interest to mathematics teachers and other educators in your state. In the Place @ the Friday Institute, you will find MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) designed for educators. The Teaching Mathematics with Technology and Teaching Statistics Through Data Investigations MOOCs are completely FREE professional learning opportunities that are designed to develop the pedagogy and content understanding for teachers in middle school, high school, and at postsecondary levels. The courses are built by expert teacher educators in their field and on research-based models of effective professional development, professional learning communities, and online communities of practice.

Registration for both courses is now open and will launch on September 26, 2016.

At the end of each course, participants can request a certificate of completion. In some states, such as North Carolina, teachers are also eligible to receive renewal credits, Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Teachers will need to contact their local state agencies to inquire about the eligibility in their states. It may also be a great opportunity for teachers to work in teams or PLCs to complete the course together.

If you think either of the MOOCs described below are a good fit for educators in your state, please share this information with them. We would be happy to provide any other materials you may need (e.g., logos, course descriptions, course objectives, etc.) in order to disseminate information about the courses as widely as possible to District/LEA and teacher networks. Let us know if you have any questions, and thank you!

Below is a brief description of each MOOC:

Teaching Mathematics with Technology

Many recognize that technology can be an invaluable tool to support students’ engagement in and learning of mathematics. The Teaching Mathematics with Technology MOOC is designed to equip teachers with instructional practices that leverage technology to support students’ mathematical learning. Participants will learn how to use technology to enhance teaching and learning, analyze student thinking, and engage students in productive discourse. Here is a link to the course: http://friday.institute/tmt

A short promotional video can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjjSWnd5Fvo

Teaching Statistics Through Data Investigations

The Teaching Statistics through Data Investigations MOOC is designed primarily for educators who teach statistics, in grades 6-12 and in post-secondary contexts, but is relevant for those who teach disciplines that use data-based explorations extensively to make claims and inferences. This course allows participants to learn, along with colleagues from other schools and districts, to use an investigation cycle to teach statistics and to help students explore data to make evidence-based claims. Here is a link to the MOOC: http://friday.institute/tsdi

A short promotional video can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0POhWOgiBg

http://wnpr.org/post/court-orders-state-connecticut-overhaul-education-system#stream/0

Commissioner's Office

Save the date: Governor's Summit on Mastery-Based Learning, September 26, 2016, at ITBD in New Britain [PDF]

Commissioner Wentzell's Back-to-School keynote speech [PDF].

Resources for schools in the aftermath of the mass shooting in Orlando, Florida.

It's time for the annual Governor's Summer Reading Challenge.

Guidance for districts regarding transgender students and refugees.

A series of webinars for superintendents and central office leaders on the transition to ESSA is underway. [PDF]

• View a recording of the June 15 webinar, ESSA Overview & 2016 Regulatory Process, or download a copy of the presentation [PDF].

Highlights from Connecticut's approved ESEA flexibility request [PDF

Paula Murphy

ESANE Executive Director

esane1919@gmail.com

esane.org

978-514-0883

Exhibits for 2016 ESANE

VCTM - October 14,  2016

Greater Boston Reading - October 19, 2016

ATMNE - October 20-21, 2016

Dear MoMath friends,

It's a continuum of mathematical fun!  From the simplicity of basic counting numbers to the complexity of the fourth dimension, from a youth-focused festival to interactive experiences for seniors, and whether enjoying musical works composed by professionals or creating your own mathematical music, there's something for everyone at MoMath this fall.  Meet Will Shortz at the kickoff of MoMath's new senior program, drive your way around a unique mathematical path on the new Twisted Thruway exhibit, explore "the insides of things" through the work of Spanish sculptor Miguel Berrocal, and hear what Nate Silver has to say about the upcoming election while helping sustain the Museum at its annual gala.  Plus, don't miss multiple opportunities this fall to experience MoMath's dynamic and engaging exhibits for free.