CE-MIST Presentations at Conferences

Meaningful Connections in Math

Presenters: Bridget Coleman, Gary J. Senn, Deborah McMurtrie
Date: Thursday, November 6, 2014 from 4:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Room: Delta Lobby A
Control #: 18747
Program Book Number: SL14 - Table R
CEU Code: NR-21

Goals:
The purpose of this session is to demonstrate how to link mathematics with other disciplines to make learning more relevant for students. We will discuss how incorporating literature and using guided discovery can help students make meaningful connections with the content.

Rationale:
This We Believe states that in developmentally responsive middle schools, the curriculum is designed to advance skills and knowledge and is clearly based in established standards. In addition, the curriculum must be challenging, exploratory, integrative, and relevant. This session aligns curriculum with Common Core Standards, integrates two or more content areas, and promotes literacy and writing across the curriculum.

Activities:
The presenters will share several children's books with interdisciplinary connections and a sample lesson utilizing a hands-on activity. Participants will discuss ideas for incorporating children's literature and manipulatives in math class in an effort to provide students with meaningful math experiences. Participants will receive access to list of suggested children's books and an activity sheet.

Program Book Description:
Explore how color tiles, children's literature, and graphing calculators help middle grades students enhance their conceptual understanding of representing growing patterns in tables, equations, and graphs. Gain ideas on how to link Common Core Standards for Mathematics with Social Studies and English/Language Arts. Discuss ways to integrate disciplines in an effort to connect with students and make learning meaningful for them.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., University of South Carolina Aiken
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., University of South Carolina Aiken
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., University of South Carolina Aiken

Links:

Meaningful Math Presentation (.ppt = 4 MB)
Math Children's Literature (.pdf = 111 KB)
Planning Template (.docx = 28 KB)
Function L tiles doc (.doc = 105 KB)
Functions SMART NB file (.notebook = 417 KB)
Ages of Presidents at death (.pdf =17 KB)

Center of Excellence in Middle-level, Interdisciplinary Strategies for Teaching (CE-MIST)

Geocaching as a hands-on, integrated activity

Presenters: Gary J. Senn, Bridget Coleman, Deborah McMurtrie
Date: Thursday, November 6, 2014 from 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Room: Delta Island A/B
Control #: 18162
Program Book Number: 1132
CEU Code: ZF-66

Goals:
The purpose of this session is to demonstrate how geocaching can be used as a tool to provide middle level students with hands-on activities that promote interdisciplinary learning. Students can be engaged in and out of the classroom. Parents can become involved in activities with their children.

Rationale:
The international phenomenon of the high-tech adventure of geocaching has gained much interest over the past few years. Many educators have enjoyed geocaching as a hobby and some of them have found creative ways to integrate this adventure into education. Geocaching is an activity that will excite middle level students and will provide opportunities for them to learn content.

Activities:
Participants will learn about geocaching and view examples of how geocaching has been used in education. A few unofficial geocaches will be placed outside of the building and participants will have the opportunity to seek these "geocaches" using smartphones and apps that can be downloaded at the time of the presentation.

Program Book Description:
The international phenomenon of geocaching has gained much interest. Many educators have enjoyed geocaching as a hobby and some have found creative ways to integrate this adventure into education. Geocaching is an activity that will excite middle level students and will provide opportunities for them to learn content. Participants in this session will learn about a number of educational uses of geocaching and will go on a short geocaching adventure on the grounds outside of the building.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., University of South Carolina Aiken
Bridget K. Coleman, University of South Carolina Aiken
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., University of South Carolina Aiken

Links:

PowerPoint Presentation (.ppt = 1 MB)
Alice Christie article Using GPS and Geocaching Engages, Empowers, and Enlightens Middle School Teachers and Students
Edcaching wiki http://edcaching.wikispaces.com/home
Geocaching for Educators Ideas for incorporating geocaching
Geocaching and Education http://www.geocaching.com/education/
Geocaching http://www.geocaching.com/
Earthcache guidelines http://earthcache.org/
Findit! Free https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/findit!-free/id387307351?mt=8
Find Latitude and Longitude http://www.findlatitudeandlongitude.com

Center of Excellence in Middle-level, Interdisciplinary Strategies for Teaching (CE-MIST)

Best Practice and Research from the National Professors of Middle Level Education

Engaging adolescent learners on a college campus

Presenters: Bridget Coleman, Gary J. Senn, Deborah McMurtrie
Date: Friday, November 7, 2014 from 2:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Room: Governor's Ballroom D
Control #: 17705
Program Book 2338
CEU Code: AN-77

NaPOMLE Goal Addressed:
3. Disseminate middle level research and best practice in user friendly ways to a variety of groups including adolescents, teachers, parents and community groups.

Presentation abstract:
USCA provides an outreach to schools through the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center. For the past decade, we have focused our outreach in the middle by providing standards-based programs for middle level students. Middle schools identified this partnership with USCA as a component of improved performance in their schools.

Links:

AMLE 2014