Do your students stick around long enough to adequately cover all of the math on high school equivalency (HSE) exams? This session aims to make the most of class time by shifting focus from rapid topic coverage to providing time for students to engage in deep thinking about algebra, its purpose, and practical applications. Participants will experience this method and consider its potential to improve confidence, understanding, and retention.
- Adult education teachers at all levels of math ability and comfort
This professional development activity/course is designed for:
Quadratic equations. Graphing functions. Negative numbers. Triangle theorems! In the realm of HSE math exams, teachers often find themselves racing against time to cover myriad algebraic concepts. However, this relentless pace often leaves students with a superficial understanding of the subject matter. By prioritizing core concepts and slowing down the learning process, teachers can empower students with a deep understanding of algebraic problem solving.
This 90-minute session focuses on two core concepts: the use of variables to represent quantities (in both real-world and abstract mathematical problems) and the ability to construct simple equations and inequalities to solve problems by reasoning about the quantities. Interactive activities and discussions will provide you with practical tools, scaffolding techniques, and collaborative strategies that promote deep understanding and student confidence.
- Prioritize core concepts to deepen student understanding and retention
- Scaffold instruction to support reasoning with variables, equations, and inequalities
- Use collaborative learning to build student confidence in algebra
Upon completion of this professional development activity/course, you will be able to:
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