Where Teachers and Mathematics Meet

A Teacher Led Mathematical Problem Solving

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Professional Development Experience for

What is a Teachers’ Math Circle?

Our goal is to encourage a culture of problem solving in middle grade and algebra classrooms. The Lincoln Area Teachers' Circle brings together mathematics teachers (especially grades 6-9 math teachers) and active mathematicians to engage in mathematical problem-solving and to provide guidance and resources math teachers can use in promoting open-ended problem-solving as a way of learning and thinking about mathematics in their classrooms. Teachers are encouraged to collaborate to adapt the mathematics learned to their classroom.

The Teachers' Circle is a place for math teachers to gather who enjoy discovering great mathematics and who enjoy engaging in conversations with colleagues and professional mathematicians.

Discussions will be held to determine what challenges exist to incorporating this style of teaching into the present curriculum, what resources would be most helpful to teachers, and other related topics.

What types of mathematics will we do? The mathematical problems have multiple entry levels and can be accessible to a wide variety of students.

How Do I Get Involved? The Teacher’s Circle will meet five times throughout the school year. Teachers will gather on Thursday evenings to participate in a math circle, have dinner together, and discuss experiences in their respective classes over the prior few weeks. In this way participants can regularly explore exciting new math topics, which can serve both as a refreshing time spent enjoying the subject they teach as well as a potential source of enrichment material for their classes.

**Special thanks to the UNL Center for Science, Mathematics and Computer Education for providing the dinner!

Quotes from the Organizing Team

“I have used many rich problem solving activities with my Math Intervention students as well as my gifted students. It is fun and rewarding when the students I least expect are actively involved in successfully solving the problem.” -- Julie Kreizel, Mickle Middle School & LPS Math Coach

“Higher level thinking problems provided my students the opportunity to surprise me with the depth of their mathematical knowledge.” --Anne Schmidt, Culler Middle School Math Coach

“ The mathematics is interesting, rich, deep, but accessible to all and best of all it is FUN!” -- Steve Dunbar, UNL

“Engaging in rich mathematical problems with highly motivated, energetic middle-level teachers is a rewarding experience.” -- Cheryl Miner, Nebraska Wesleyan University

“ Math circles will provide sustainable staff development that will have a profound effect on teachers’ content knowledge and the ability to transfer the mathematics to their students.” -- Sue Graupner, LPS