Middle School Mathematics Professional Learning Community

There is still space in the Middle Math Summer Institute scheduled for July
7-8 in the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center. The registration fee of $130
allows a second participant to attend without additional pay. For more
information and a registration form, visit www.msec.appstate.edu and click
on Workshops/Institutes.

The following people have returned their contract to me
Loretta Thomas

Please remember to sign your contract and e-mail back to me at:
compagnonelm@appstate.edu

Thank you

It's that time of year again when I have to write a report about all of the great things that we have accomplished in the Partnership. Would the facilitators please send a list of highlighted activities and accomplishments of your PLC? 5 to 10 is all I need. Much Thanks.

No need to fax contracts. They can be emailed to Lynn at compagnonelm@appstate.edu

I want to thank you all for the work you have done with the PLC groups this year. Next year I am planning to contract with facilitators and PLC members for their work on the groups. You will continue to receive $50 per session. I wish we could give more but as it is our budget is being cut by the state next year and we had a shortfall this year. Everyone will be paid for 4 meetings 1st semester and 5 meetings second semester at the end of each semester. We expect for people to be present at least 3 out of 4 meetings 1st semester and 4 out of 5 second semester. Payments will only be made to those who have completed the contract. You might want to think about meeting in different places in the Partnership to relieve the burden of some having to travel so far.


  
Please contact Lyn Compagnone at compagnonelm@appstate.edu and she will send you a contract to complete for next year. I hope to have all positions filled before the beginning of next fall.

Member Responsibilities
1. Respond to the meeting wizard regarding meeting times
2. Help to recruit new members
3. Participate in grant writing efforts
4. Work on products and reports for the Coordinating Council
5. Attend 3 out of 4 meetings 1st semester and 4 out of 5 second semester
6. Participate in continuous discussion on q-topic

Again, thanks for the work you have done. It has greatly benefited the Partnership. I look forward to working with you again next year.

Linda

If you were unable to attend the meeting in April, send me a mailing address to: crockerda@appstate.edu and I will mail you the book, "Flatland" to read. We will discuss it and see a DVD at the first meeting in the fall.

Debbie
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         * * * * * *
******** **********************
         Dr. Deborah A. Crocker
         Department of Mathematical Sciences
         Appalachian State University
         Boone, NC 28608

         e-mail: crockerda@appstate.edu
         office phone: 1-828-262-2381
         FAX: 1-828-265-8617
*******************************
         * * * * * *

In attendance at the April meeting:
Loretta Thomas
Chrissy Young
Katie Moore

We shared problem solving activities that could be used in the classroom.

We will not meet in May.

Our first meeting for next year will be September 11 at 4:45PM. Read Flatland A Romance of Many Dimensions over the summer and be prepared to discuss in September.

Some ideas for next year's focus:
*A lesson study (Function?)
*At least one meeting per semester open to the public

Have a great summer!!

In attendance at the March meeting:
Chissy Young
Loretta Thomas
Traci Salinas

Anyone who missed the TInspire symposium in March should check out the TI web site for some exciting new developments. It looks like the inspire will be approved for EOG as well as EOC testing. TI is offering a workshop on May 10th at Myrtle Beach that sounded like a great way to learn more about the Inspire if you or your schools are interested in upgrading your technology.

Hope to see everyone on the 15th for our meeting. Sounds like a great time to share some problem solving activities.

Hello Everyone!

Technology, such as the type we saw at the last meeting, is often motivating for students in the classroom. In keeping with a theme on motivating students. Tracie and I have talked and want to make the April 15 meeting topic:

"Motivating Students with Good Problems"

We will try to have some introduction and would like for everyone to bring at least one good problem they use, with any course, to share. Bring enough copies of the problem for everyone (15 should do it). If you are really nice, you can bring a key too! Feel free to bring more than one problem. Try to make them true problem solving
adventures for students.

See you the 15th!

Debbie and Tracie
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         * * * * * *
******** **********************
         Dr. Deborah A. Crocker
         Department of Mathematical Sciences
         Appalachian State University
         Boone, NC 28608

         e-mail: crockerda@appstate.edu
         office phone: 1-828-262-2381
         FAX: 1-828-265-8617
*******************************
         * * * * * *

Due to budget restraints we are not able give an honorarium for final May meetings this year for the PLCs and the PDSs. You may still meet in May if you wish without an honorarium. In the event that we have some unanticipated extra funds in May we may be able to pay a small honorarium. Please plan accordingly. We count on minutes to the Q-topic to know who is to be paid. If you do not send these in we will not know to pay you. As always, I appreciate your time and commitment to the Public School Partnership and owe much more to you than an honorarium. You have done some great work this year.

Hi group! Just a reminder to be inviting your cohorts to our meeting on Tuesday March 18 with Barbara Simpson. See you all there Tuesday evening.

Loretta Thomas
8th Grade Mathematics Teacher
West Alexander Middle school

PLC Members


http://www.partnership.appstate.edu/focusgroups.htm

Please look over your web page. This will be your presentation site for the coordinating council. Each person will get from 1-5 minutes while their page is being displayed to the whole group. If you do not have a representative I will read highlights from your site. It's important to talk about what you are working on this year, particularly what the CC is spending their money to help you with. If you need to add to your site send me the information on a word document and I will put the info on your web page. The following have signed up to speak at the meeting:

Middle School Math-Loretta Bever
Middle School Language Arts-Cogie Reed
Middle School Social Studies-?
Middle School Science-?

High School Science Kay Campany
High School Social Studies-Linda Mccalister
High School Math-?
High School English-?

Thanks