Essay - Mathematics Summer Institute Statement of Goals Attending the 2002 Summer...

Mathematics Summer Institute Statement of Goals

Attending the 2002 ***** Institute for Elementary School Teachers represents and exciting opportunity ***** me to further explore my interest in teaching mathematics, as well ***** an opportunity for me to apply and share my knowledge and experience with like-minded educators.

***** am a strongly committed to *****nd enthusiastic about mathematics education at the elementary school level. I believe that ensuring ***** children are engaged and interested in ma*****matics in early elementary school is essential to building strong numeracy in our youth. When young children develop an interest in math and strong skills as youngsters, they ***** more likely ***** continue studying *****ematics ***** ***** grow older. *****n addition to these academic benefits, understanding and being able to apply math principles and concepts helps children ***** in***** effective critical thinkers with a bro*****der skill set.

***** hope to achieve several personal learning goals by participating in the Summer Institute. Dur*****g the first half of the workshop, I hope to be exposed to new techniques that I can apply in my classroom to make the ma*****matics curricula ***** relevant, innovative, ***** inclusive. ***** expect my lessons to "come to life" in my classroom when I have the chance to use the *****ventive manipulatives and strategies ***** which I would ***** exposed. Next, I expect to gain new knowledge ***** *****pics such as cryptanalys***** and probability through attending the special lecture series featuring National Security Agency mathematicians. Finally, I will learn a gre*****t deal through interaction and discourse with fellow Summer Institute participants based on their experience, knowledge, and practices.

My plans and goals for enhancing elementary school mathematics through curriculum development during the second half of ***** ***** are two-fold. First, together with the writing partner ***** whom I am paired, I expect to create an innovative unit of study that will engage students ***** a variety ***** ***** and ***** ***** that ***** ***** to ***** worlds. All curricula will meet the mandate of the Summer *****, and be consistent with Maryl***** State Core Learning Goals and NCTM standards. As well, the unit of study ***** be fully inclusive, addressing issues ***** diversity applicable to students across ***** state of *****and. Strategies (and suggestions for modifications to those strategies) will be developed to address varying cultures, language specifications, ***** needs, and multiple intelligence theory. In accounting for diversity, learning strategies ***** be varied and highly interactive. In keeping with my philosophy of education, ***** will have the ***** to express any given concept in a ***** ***** ways, ensur*****g ***** they are able to learn ***** succeed regardless of their preferred learning style. This will build a strong mathematics foundation in students who learn through this unit of study.

*****, the curriculum produced by ***** partner and I will be designed to help teachers ***** a dynamic and "fun" ***** environment in ***** mathematics classes as it will ***** practical, clearly articulated, and conta***** usable materials. Teachers who ***** traditionally experienced a "fear of