Fostering Geometric Thinking Facilitators’ Institute July 31 – August 4, 2006 EDC Newton, MA

Goals for this institute Provide introduction to Fostering Geometric Thinking (FGT) materials Experience FGT and structured exploration model Learn about role as facilitator Share ideas on mathematical thinking and professional development Get to know each other

Group norms and groundrules Start and end on time. Encourage and respect the sharing of thinking. Monitor your own participation. Comments, additions, revisions…

What is Fostering Geometric Thinking ? Professional development curriculum Help grades 5-10 mathematics teachers to identify, describe, and foster students’ geometric thinking Group-study guide led by a teacher or administrator as facilitator Twenty 2-hour sessions; 40 hours of professional development

FGT offers: Conceptual framework focused on understanding students’ thinking in geometry and measurement Hands-on investigation of rich mathematical problems Structured approaches to gathering and analyzing data about student thinking Structured approaches to discussion among teachers about mathematics, curriculum, student thinking, and instructional practice

FGT Goals Strengthen teachers’ understanding of geometry and geometric thinking Enhance teachers’ capacity to recognize and describe geometric thinking Increase teachers’ attention to students’ thinking Enhance teachers’ understanding of students’ geometric thinking Prepare teachers to advance students’ geometric thinking

Monday’s Agenda Welcome and Introductions Do Math: Comparing Triangles Introduction to Geometric Habits of Mind Lunch Do Math: Finding Area in Different Ways Analyzing Written Student Work Introduction to Structured Exploration Process Wrap-up and Evaluation