May 8, 2013

President's Message
Rethinking the Role of the Elementary Classroom Teacher

Early in my career, the principal of my school shared The Animal School: A Fable, written in the 1940s by George Reavis, assistant superintendent of Cincinnati Public Schools. At the time I was teaching in a fifth-grade self-contained classroom in a K–5 school. That story made a deep impression on me and strongly influenced how I thought about my students—their talents and interests. Read more.



Teacher Appreciation Week
It's Teacher Appreciation Week—an ideal time to celebrate the contributions of all teachers. NCTM recognizes the essential role that teachers play in ensuring mathematics learning of the highest quality for all students. As a token of our appreciation, we’re offering teachers 25% off of all NCTM publications from May 6 to 10! Use promo code TEACH25 at checkout to receive the discount.

New Features on Journal Digital Editions
The digital editions of Mathematics Teacher, Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School, and Teaching Children Mathematics now contain new features. Members can right-click and access Share Page, Print Page, Add Bookmark, and Add Note. New View Mode and Zoom features are also now available. Once you are logged into My NCTM, click on the homepage of the journal that you subscribe to, open the digital edition, and begin reading and right-clicking on your NCTM official journal in new ways!

Pick-a-Path Mobile App–Update!
Pick-a-Path, our most popular mobile app, has been updated! Like all Illuminations resources, it’s completely free. The goal of the game is still the same: to help Okta the octopus reach a target (maximum, minimum, or a specific value) by choosing a path from the top of an underwater maze to the seashell at the bottom—adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing along the way! Earn 1, 2, or 3 stars by completing various mazes involving integers, fractions, decimals, exponents, and more. But now, as you successfully complete mathematical mazes, you can use the stars you earn to buy Okta swag!

The MTMS Word Problem
Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School is looking for a new name. Find out more about this exciting undertaking, and see that the plan is in place … all we need is a new name. Submit your suggestions for a new journal name by May 15. The finalists will be selected, and the MTMS readership will vote on them in September 2013. Participants whose suggestions are among the finalists will each receive a $50 gift certificate to the NCTM bookstore. If your suggestion becomes the new name of the journal, you will win an iPad. Learn more.

Not Doing the Math: Test Scores Hit an All-Time Low
The passing rate for Clark County (Nevada) sophomores taking the state's math proficiency exam hit an all-time low this year. Two-thirds of the students failed the exam. The combination of a new curriculum and rising standards might have contributed to the low pass rates, but teachers and students had a year to adapt to the new material. So what gives? And how can Clark County improve its performance in math? Listen to NCTM President Linda Gojak along with the assistant superintendent of the Clark County School District on KNPR. KNPR Nevada Public Radio

All Is Common-Core Aligned at Math Education Exhibit Hall, or Is It?
“Math educators walking through the enormous exhibit hall at NCTM’s Annual Meeting in Denver couldn't help but notice a “common” theme. With so much talk in conference sessions about the common-core standards, they may have been wondering where to find instructional materials that reflect the new standards,” observes education reporter Erik Robelen. Education Week 

The Impact of Identity in K–8 Math: Rethinking Equity-Based Practices
Just released in April, this book invites K–8 teachers to reflect on their own and their students’ multiple identities. Rich possibilities for learning result when teachers draw on these identities to offer high-quality, equity-based teaching to all students. Reflecting on identity and re-envisioning learning and teaching through this lens especially benefits students who have been marginalized by race, class, ethnicity, or gender. Written by Julia Aguirre, Karen Mayfield-Ingram, and Danny Martin, this new book encourages teachers to reframe instruction by using five equity-based mathematics teaching practices: going deep with mathematics, leveraging multiple mathematical competencies, affirming mathematics learners’ identities, challenging spaces of marginality, and drawing on multiple resources of knowledge. Read more.

Member Referral Program Ending Soon
With your help, NCTM’s Member Referral Program can take the Council to the next level, enabling NCTM to assist more people, serve you better, and be a stronger advocate for mathematics education. For every referral that you provide, your name will be entered into our drawing for a free trip to the 2014 NCTM Annual Meeting in New Orleans and other great prizes. Refer at least two new members and receive $5 in NCTM bucks, redeemable toward membership, books, and conference registration. Take advantage now—the program will be ending on June 30, 2013. Keep the referrals coming! Learn more.

President Obama recently hosted the third annual White House Science Fair to celebrate the achievements of America’s young innovators. The event featured the inventions of 100 students hailing from 40 states, with exhibits set up throughout the White House. After interacting with the students about their discoveries and gadgets, the president took the opportunity to announce the new AmeriCorps program for STEM education—US2020. Read more in the Legislative Update.

Washington has been a busy place in recent weeks, and the STEM education advocacy community has been very active, responding to the president’s FY 2014 budget request, which includes a proposed shakeup of federal STEM education programs. In addition, the annual exercise of asking members of Congress in charge of the federal coffers to invest in important education programs has been in full swing. Read more in the Capitol Report.

National Nuclear Science Week
National Nuclear Science Week is celebrated annually across the United States and this year will take place October 21–25. It is a week-long educational opportunity to focus local, regional, and national interest on all aspects of nuclear science. Each day has a theme that provides for learning about the contributions, innovations, and opportunities that can be found by exploring nuclear science. Learn more and download helpful information and curriculum resources.

After-School STEM Impact Award
Is your after-school STEM program making a big impact? The Afterschool Alliance and the Noyce Foundation are recognizing exemplary after-school STEM programs serving young people in grades 4–8. Help them showcase how after-school STEM programs are helping young people get excited and engaged in STEM. Applications are due next Wednesday, May 15. Apply now! 

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