Numeracy

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.