:: MATHEMATICS

Week One: June 28-July 1, 2010
Week Two: July 26-29, 2010

In the course titles, “combined” means that the institute is open to both new and experienced teachers in that particular Pre-AP* or AP subject.

MATHEMATICS WEEK ONE: June 28-July 1, 2010

Pre-AP Mathematics for experienced Pre-AP teachers (middle school)

This course will focus on the importance and relevance of mathematics prior to algebra I, algebra II, and geometry and the vertical alignment of concepts within these courses to ensure that students will perform well in high school AP courses.

Topics and activities:

Use a multi-representational approach to help teachers look at problems analytically, graphically, numerically, and verbally
Explore functions, graphs, and tables
Supplement and enhance teaching with activities
Practice with TI-73 / TI-84 graphing calculators
Discuss best practices
Discuss strategies to successfully implement inquiry-based learning activities

Participants should bring the following:

TI-73 or TI-84 graphing calculator (loaners will be available)
A favorite project, lesson, or activity to share
Sticky notes and highlighters

Lead Consultant: Rebecca Embry
Rebecca Embry has taught mathematics for 15 years. She has participated in vertical alignment and curriculum writing for Pre-AP Mathematics for seven years and has served as a lead Pre-AP and Gifted and Talented teacher. Rebecca has presented summer institutes for the last three years. She has presented at the College Board Pre-AP Math Technology Conference in 2008, College Board Pre-AP two-day conference in 2007, and at the Conference for the Advancement of Mathematics Teaching in 2004. In 2007, she presented a summer institute co-sponsored by the College Board and the Austin Independent School District. Mrs. Embry received the Teacher of the Year award for her campus in 2007. She holds a B.S. in education from the University of Vermont and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Texas State University.

Pre-AP Mathematics: Algebra I and Geometry Focus (high school)—combined

Topics covered include:

The Rule of Four
Limits
Rate of Change
Accumulation
Optimization
Rational Functions
e
Polynomial Approximations
Distance, Velocity, Speed, and Acceleration
Parametric Equations
Univariate Data
Bivariate Data
Probability
Algebra Skills Needed for Calculus
Homework
Vertical Teams
Assessment
Data Collection (CBR & CBL2)
Mathematics Internet Sites

Participants should bring the following:

A favorite lesson to share
A graphing calculator (if available)
Textbooks using next year

Lead Consultant: Robert Cole
Robert Cole has presented at numerous AP Summer Institutes and College Board one-day, two-day and mathematics Vertical Teams workshops. A veteran of 30 years in the public schools, Robert has taught everything from seventh grade math to calculus, including below-level, on-level, Pre-AP, G/T, and AP classes. His current assignment at Round Rock High School in Round Rock, Texas is G/T Pre-AP Precalculus, and AP Calculus (AB & BC).

The AP Statistics course will highlight topics from the four basic content areas for new and less experienced statistics teachers. The basic content areas are experimental design, descriptive statistics, probability, and inference. Course calendars, statistical labs, project ideas and management, supplemental materials, AP grading, higher level thinking skills required for student success, and ideas to build your program will be included. Many lessons are ready for the classroom. Fun, informative, and educational.

Participants should bring the following:

TI-84 or similar calculator
Jump drive
School calendar
Post-it notes are handy if you do not wish to write directly on your handouts.
Familiarizing yourself with the course content and your textbook is highly recommended.

Lead Consultant: Penny Smeltzer
Penny Smeltzer, a Western Michigan University graduate, has one of the largest AP Statistics programs in the nation. Her accomplishments include 2009 Texas Exes Outstanding Teacher, the 2008 Siemen’s Teacher Award – national winner, 2007 District Teacher of the Year, State Farm computer gifts, and volunteer awards from community organizations for statistical project work with businesses, the LCRA, and the National Park Service. Eight years experience as an AP Statistics grader and grading leader keeps her in touch with the focus of the course. In 2006 she earned the opportunity to travel to the Galapagos Islands to research interdisciplinary environmental studies as a Toyota International Teacher winner. You can look forward to statistical problems based on Galapagos wildlife, including PowerPoint presentations you may take back to your own students. Penny presents lively, interactive workshops to teachers in AP Statistics, the SAT, New Teacher Survival Skills, Math & Science Integration, and Pre-AP Mathematics.

The goal of this seminar is to prepare teachers to teach AP Calculus AB so their students can be successful on the AP Calculus Exam. This course will introduce various aspects of the AP Calculus topic outline by showing how a reformed curriculum emphasizing the graphical, numerical, verbal, and symbolic representations of calculus can enhance the learning of calculus. Participants will explore connections between topics in calculus by looking at broad themes related to AP Calculus: the idea of “straightening curves” by investigating the theme of local linearity, the idea of “area functions” by exploring the theme of the integral as an accumulation function, and the ideas associated with motion of a particle with the theme of the definite integral as total change. In addition to specific topics, participants will discuss issues related to the AP Calculus Exam including the use of technology on the exam, the scoring of the exam, and use of exam questions in an AP Calculus course.

Participants should bring the following:

Graphing calculator
Calculus textbook

Lead Consultant: Scott Pass
Scott Pass currently teaches AP Calculus at W. Charles Akins High School and is the Advanced Placement Mathematics Lead Teacher for the Austin Independent School District. He is an AP Calculus Reader and an active College Board consultant. He has participated in projects ranging from the IAS Park City Mathematics Institute to work with College Board in curriculum development, all related to his interest in reforming mathematics education. Scott is experienced using TI-84 and TI-98 graphing calculators, Geometry Sketchpad, WinPlot, Calculator Based Labs (CBL’s), and Maple Software. He has training with the College Board in areas such as AP Vertical Teams and advanced topics related to teaching AP Calculus.

MATHEMATICS WEEK TWO: July 26-29, 2010

Pre-AP Mathematics for new Pre-AP teachers (middle school)

This institutewill identify goals and objectives for Pre-AP Mathematics courses and clarify ways to move beyond the basics in order to prepare students for success in AP mathematics courses. Ideas for structuring and enriching your current curriculum and will be provided, as well as ways to best address the “hidden curriculum” of middle school: study skills, work ethic, organization, and test-taking strategies. Attendees will receive a packet full of challenging problems and activities.

Topics will include the following:

Problem Solving and Rigor
Daily and Unit Planning
Developing Challenging Assessments
Making AP Connections
Classroom Management
Vertical Teams

Lead Consultant: Kathy Duren
Kathy Duren currently teaches eighth grade algebra and pre-algebra at St. Stephen’s School in Austin, Texas. She has been a lead consultant for Pre-AP Middle School Mathematics with the College Board since 1999 and has presented at institutes and conferences all over the southwestern United States. She has over 23 years of teaching experience in both elementary and secondary mathematics.

Pre-AP Mathematics: Algebra II and Precalculus Focus (high school)—combined

This course is designed to help teachers incorporate AP / Pre-AP strategies and concepts into their math curriculum. It will emphasize math topics such as: accumulation, area, coordinate geometry, functions, limits, optimization, sequences and series, rate of change, probability, and statistics and how these topics can be appropriately included in different math courses. There will be a variety of teaching strategies including activities, projects, alternative assessments, graphing calculators, CBLs, and internet. Participants will discuss Pre-AP philosophy, resources, vertical teaming, AP Exams and grading, and how to get support from parents and administrators.

Participants should bring the following:

graphing calculator
best lesson or activity to share.

Lead Consultant: Donna Speer
Donna is currently teaching Pre-AP Precalculus, AP Statistics and Advanced Mathematics for Decision Making at Northwest High School in Justin, Texas. Over the past 25 years she has taught a variety of math courses from seventh grade math to AP Calculus and AP Statistics to students from varied backgrounds. As a mentor teacher, she works closely with other math teachers and has a leadership roll in her district’s Math Vertical Team. She wrote the district’s Pre-AP Precalculus and AP Statistics curriculum. She has been a certified consultant for the College Board for the last six years and a Reader for the AP Statistics Exam for the past five years. She enjoys her work with the College Board and the opportunity to work with other teachers to improve math education.

* Trademark Notice: College Board, AP, Advanced Placement Program, AP Vertical Teams, Pre-AP, and the acorn logo are registered trademarks of the College Board. Used with permission.

students in classroom