Numeracy

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Lindsey Pust

Numeracy & Special Projects Coordinator

ATLAS provides professional development around numeracy instruction that centers on implementation of the College & Career Readiness (CCR) Math Standards and preparing adult learners for the daily math demands of work, college, and community.

Math Instruction in Minnesota Adult Education

Both literacy and numeracy are critical skills for adults in order to fully engage in their communities. To further define the work of adult numeracy instruction for ABE and with the goal of achieving equitable math instruction for adult learners, the Minnesota Numeracy Instruction Advisory Team (MNI A-Team) holds that:

  • Every student at every level (literacy, language, math) deserves access to rigorous, high-quality math instruction.
  • Instruction at all literacy, language, and math proficiency levels can and should attend to math and numeracy development.
  • Intentional, focused programming can create a cohesive math experience for all learners.
  • Instruction in every classroom should be informed by growth mindset and incorporate strategies to reduce and prevent math anxiety in learners.

See the full MNI A-Team statement regarding math instruction in Minnesota ABE >>

Math Institute

Math Institute is offered annually, generally in early fall. While the focus of the institute changes from year to year to respond to current math needs of teachers and programs, the core of all content is grounded in the CCR Math Standards, Mathematical Practices, and Key Instructional Shifts (see the CCRS Math Resources section of the CCR Standards resource library for more information). Content includes tenets of effective numeracy instruction to adults at all levels, as well as more advanced math content for those working on high school equivalency or adult diploma requirements.

Check the Events calendar for upcoming dates and information!

MCTM Spring Conference

ATLAS has built a partnership with Minnesota’s math teachers’ professional organization, MCTM (Minnesota Council of Teachers of Mathematics), and MinnMATYC (Minnesota Mathematical Association of Two Year Colleges). The annual MCTM Spring Conference in Duluth is a statewide event for math educators in K-12 through college contexts; when funds are available, ATLAS provides scholarships for ABE practitioners across the state to attend, in addition to coordinating a core group of math practitioners to present at the conference.

Workshops and Webcasts

Webinars and regional event workshops are offered throughout the year to deepen practitioners’ math content and pedagogical knowledge around adult math instruction. In addition, two webcast series are archived for instructors’ viewing and use at any time: the Mathematical Practice series and the E-quip Math series, both described in more depth below.

Cohorts

NEW! Teaching Numeracy to Adults

The Teaching Numeracy to Adults initiative focuses on the actual teaching of math/numeracy (rather than pure standards implementation); it involves an online course via Canvas as well as live webinars and partner work for a robust professional learning experience for participants. It was designed with a wide audience in mind: administrators and instructors, both those who identify as math teachers and those who do not; those who currently teach math/numeracy in their classrooms and those who do not.

Study Circles

Integrating Numeracy & Language Study Circle

The purpose of this study circle is to advance Minnesota Adult Education teachers’ ability to effectively and confidently integrate numeracy instruction into English language classes. It is appropriate for teachers of all levels of EL learners within MN Adult Ed, as teachers adapt tasks for their own levels and classrooms. Study circle participants explore relevant research and its implications for best practices in the classroom, as well as engaging in both at-home reading and reflective classroom tasks that inform and deepen discussions and allow for maximum professional growth.

Webcast Series

Mathematical Practice Webcast Series

The purpose of this webcast series is to give adult educators a better sense of each of the 8 Mathematical Practices of the CCRS (College & Career Readiness Standards) and to suggest ways to encourage using the Practices with their students. Each webcast offers an explanation of the highlighted Practice as well as facilitation questions to ask students, sample activities at multiple levels, and classroom videos that demonstrate the Practice.

E-quip Math Series

Designed and facilitated by some of our most experienced numeracy leaders in MN Adult Ed, the archived E-quip math webinars have the dual purpose of providing 1) a math content refresher for teachers, and 2) related teaching strategies. Beyond each webinar, the E-quip series offers “pre-work” – readings and/or web activities that teachers can access in order to build their background knowledge before attending the webinar, as needed.

Online Groups

Math & Numeracy Online Group

This online networking community of practice was established to connect adult education instructors teaching math in any capacity, and it serves as a forum for discussion as well as a hub for announcements, resources, and webinar and in-person event information.

Advisory Teams

Minnesota Numeracy Instruction Advisory Team

The Minnesota Numeracy Instruction Advisory Team (MNI A-Team) is an ATLAS-sponsored team designed to strengthen math and numeracy teaching and learning in Minnesota ABE through relevant, meaningful, and effective professional development for practitioners.

The A-Team is responsible for visioning and implementing a long-term strategic plan for numeracy PD in Minnesota, as well as specific tasks yearly to support established PD efforts, such as the September ABE Math Institute, regional workshops, etc.

New Numeracy Resources

Levels of Knowing Mathematics

This resource outlines the levels of knowing math proposed by Mahesh C. Sharma: intuitive, concrete/experiential, pictorial/representational, abstract, applications, and communication. The chart explains each level and gives an example of what that level would look like in the classroom.

College & Career Readiness (CCR) Math Standards

Looking for more specific information about the College & Career Readiness (CCR) Math Standards? Check out the CCRS Math Resources section of the CCR Standards resource library!

GED Math Video App

Students can either use this GED math prep resource on the computer or download the app to their phone.
Numeracy

Numeracy Resource Library »

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Latest Math/Numeracy Articles

Support Adult Learners with Resources from ELM and Ebooks MN

The High School Equivalency Center, part of LearningExpress Library (LEL), helps students prepare for the GED, HiSET, and TASC exams by offering tutorials and micro lessons in reading, writing, grammar, vocab, spelling, and math. The Adult Core Skills Center gives adults the tools they need to achieve their personal educational and career goals, whether that includes becoming a U.S. citizen or improving reading and vocabulary skills. Read More

Desmos: Interactive and Engaging Online Instruction

At the start of my virtual instruction journey in 2020, I tried out several instructional tools to make my online synchronous instruction more engaging than a talking head and a PowerPoint. Desmos is the only one I’m still using three years later. Originally built for math instruction, Desmos is a virtual instructional tool that allows you, the teacher, to build interactive practice for students, accessible via a link or code, and lets you see each student’s work live as they are doing it. Read More

Upcoming ABE Events

September 26, 2023 4:00 pm–5:00 pm
Literacy Minnesota
Online

BASE for Distance Learning

Online

Registration Deadline: TUE. 9/26/23 BASE is a state-supported distance learning platform with content supporting social and emotional learning (SEL) and the ACES/TIF standards. Attend this session to learn about using BASE modules with learners who are working asynchronously (outside of class time). We’ll… Learn More

Online
September 26, 2023 6:30 pm–8:30 pm
Literacy Minnesota
Literacy Minnesota – main office
700 Raymond Ave., Ste. 180
Saint Paul, MN 55114 United States

Working with Literacy and Beginning Level ESL Learners

Literacy Minnesota – main office
700 Raymond Ave., Ste. 180
Saint Paul, MN 55114 United States

Registration Deadline: TUE. 9/26/23 Learners with limited English and literacy skills have unique needs for in-person and remote instruction. Participants will learn best practices and tips for success at this level. They’ll also get several ideas for routines, activities and resources to use in their tutoring sessions. Learn More

Literacy Minnesota – main office
700 Raymond Ave., Ste. 180
Saint Paul, MN 55114 United States
September 27, 2023 6:30 pm–8:30 pm
Literacy Minnesota
Online

Core Training Module 4: Instructional Best Practices: Working with Materials

Online

Registration Deadline: WED. 9/27/23 Participants will engage in a couple of classroom activities to experience scaffolding, checking comprehension and the gradual release of responsibility. These aspects of teaching and tutoring are then defined, explained further and participants get opportunities to practice them. Learn More

Online