June 2015 Letter from Carolyn
Dear US Math Recovery® Members,
In May I had the extraordinary opportunity to attend and present at the Maths Recovery UK & Ireland Conference, which was held in Glasgow, Scotland. The international community of Math Recovery not only shares a body of research, it also shares a passion for continuous lifelong professional learning.
Dr. Bob Wright presented the keynote address on Structuring Numbers 1 to 20 and described the need for structuring and "grounded habituation" as a means of reducing errors, reducing cognitive demand, developing part-whole concepts, and providing a basis for later arithmetic. He also promoted the Progressive Mathematization dimensions of extending the range, complexifying, and distancing the setting. I encourage you to revisit these themes and integrate them into your daily instruction. Developing Number Knowledge (Wright et al, 2012) devotes a chapter to this topic and provides a look at critical techniques to advance children's mathematical thinking from concrete to abstract over time.
Mhairi Stratton, Head Teacher in Wallyford, shared that Maths Recovery isn't just about helping a struggling child recover mathematical course, "Maths Recovery is about getting it right from the start, about inquiry and collaboration." In her work with children and educators, Ms. Stratton advocates for a whole-school approach that begins small and focuses on getting the pace and challenge right. She embraces action research and giving teachers a "license to learn" together.
Like our conferences in the United States, the Maths Recovery Conference in Scotland had a lovely family feel. I am reminded of the moment in the Dr. Seuss book where the "Grinch's heart grew three sizes that day" and a welcoming warmth radiated through the crowd. For me, the international Math Recovery PLC grew many sizes that conference, offering a springboard for future collaborative learnings.
Five of the six presenters in Scotland will also present at the US Math Recovery® Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina, October 26-29, 2015. Early bird registration ends June 30. Please visit http://www.mathrecovery.org/2015-national-conference for more information and join us for inspiration, continued learning, and fellowship!
Another opportunity to join with other math educators is through the MR Twitter Chat #USMRCchat. Many tweeted in the first chat held on May 19, and we hope to have even more participate in future chats held the third Tuesday each month at 8:00 p.m. CST.
As many of your professional lives transition for the summer, I wish you a time for personal and professional energy and fulfillment!
Warm wishes,
Carolyn
