Nebraska Math & Science Summer Institutes 2018

2018 Course Catalog

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11 courses selected. The catalog of courses displayed below has been limited by the selected filters.

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NMSSI Courses for Mathematics Teachers
CYAF 890A - Workshop Seminar: Early Childhood, Differentiation for Accelerated Learners in Mathematics Audience: K123456789101112 Credit Hours: 3 Location: La Vista Dates: June 4-8, 9:30am - 3:30pm with additional work onlineThe focus of this three-credit course is to use an equity lens to enhance mathematics instruction in the early childhood and elementary setting (Preschool through grade 6). Specifically, the course is designed to enhance teachers’ understanding of how accelerated learners approach mathematics, and provide opportunities for practicing teachers to closely examine: (a) the mathematical reasoning of accelerated learners, (b) instructional strategies that appropriately challenge more advanced mathematics learners, (c) assessment practices that focus on tasks that promote high levels of cognitive demand, and (d) enrichment resources or materials aligned to Nebraska’s standards and expectations. In addition, students will use Gutierrez’s four dimensions of equity when planning or implementing lessons to address the needs of all children—particularly focusing on the specific strengths, needs, and challenges of working with accelerated learners in early math.
MATH 800P - Number and Operation for K-3 Math Specialists Audience: K123456789101112 Credit Hours: 3 Locations: North Platte, La Vista Dates: multipleThis course of Primarily Math strengthens teachers’ conceptual knowledge of number and operation in the K-3 mathematics curriculum and connects the intuitive mathematical understandings that children bring to school with an understanding of place value in the K-3 curriculum. The significance of base 10 in our place value system, along with its role in arithmetic operations and their properties, is a major emphasis of the course. Math 800P is only open to ESU 3 teachers and Omaha Public Schools teachers.
MATH 800T - Math as a Second Language Audience: K123456789101112 Credit Hours: 3 Location: La Vista Dates: June 11-15, 7:30am - 4pmThis ITEAM course will help you align your teaching with the new Nebraska standards and the new Common Core standards in mathematics by focusing on the development of "habits of mind of a mathematical thinker". The approach is to understand arithmetic (number) and (introductory) algebra as a means of communicating mathematical ideas, and will stress a deep understanding of the basic operations of arithmetic, as well as the interconnected nature of arithmetic, algebra and geometry relating to the grades 3-7 curriculum. Math 800T is not open to teachers who have secondary certification. For Summer 2018, MATH 800T is only open to ESU 3 and OPS teachers.
MATH 801P - Geometry, Measurement & Algebraic Thinking for K-3 Math Specialists Audience: K123456789101112 Credit Hours: 3 Locations: North Platte, La Vista Dates: multipleThis course of Primarily Math promotes a deep understanding of geometry, measurement and algebraic thinking and its role in the K-3 mathematics curriculum. Emphasis is placed on mathematical argument related to geometric relationships, measurement, spatial reasoning, patterns, relations and functions. Math 801P is only open to ESU 3 teachers and Omaha Public Schools teachers.
MATH 803P - Algebraic Thinking for the Elementary Classroom Audience: K123456789101112 Credit Hours: 3 Location: Omaha Dates: July 9-13, 8am - 4:30pmDiscussion will revolve around student understanding of Algebraic properties of mathematics as participants examine case studies, video segments and student work samples. Participants will explore instructional strategies for fostering Algebraic thinking that are appropriate for both the primary (K-2) and intermediate (3-5) elementary classrooms.
MATH 804P - Problem Solving & Critical Thinking for Elementary Teachers Audience: K123456789101112 Credit Hours: 3 Locations: Omaha, La Vista Dates: multipleThe course seeks to build a strong foundation for the teaching and communication of mathematical concepts by the hands-on development of critical-thinking skills via problem-solving experiences. It provides a guided opportunity for the implementation of problem-solving instruction that is aligned with the new Nebraska mathematics standards in both the primary (K-2) and intermediate (3-5) elementary classroom. The La Vista section of this course is part of ITEAM and is only open to ESU 3 teachers and OPS teachers.
MATH 896 - Special Topics: Elementary-Integrated STEM Audience: K123456789101112 Credit Hours: 3 Location: Hastings Dates: June 11-15, 8am - 5pmTeachers will learn to leverage science explorations to provide context and meaning to mathematics instruction in the elementary classroom, while also supporting children’s learning of science. Participants will engage in integrated science/math experiences, deepen their knowledge of concepts needed to integrate math and science in their own classrooms, and learn how to develop rich, integrated lessons to engage children in meaningful and memorable learning experiences.
TEAC 880E - Teaching with Technology: Instructional Technology in K-8 Mathematics Classrooms Audience: K123456789101112 Credit Hours: 3 Location: La Vista Dates: June 18-22, 8am - 4:30pmThis course will focus on goal-driven technology use for the teaching and learning of mathematics in elementary and middle grades. A survey of relevant research and theories relating to mathematics technology will provide a foundation for exploring, analyzing, evaluating, and planning mathematics instruction that leverages the affordances of technology in the K-8 classroom. Participants will investigate and demonstrate applications, design assessment and instruction, and enhance curriculum materials to integrate technology across a variety of mathematics topics in elementary and middle grades. This course will offer differentiated reading and assignment options that target both research and classroom practice.

NMSSI Courses for Science Teachers
GEOS 898 - Methods in Geoscience Field Instruction Audience: K123456789101112 Credit Hours: 3 Location: Fieldwork Dates: June 7 (on campus), June 8 (depart at 8am), June 22 (return by 5pm)A 16-day, inquiry-based geology field course in which participants will enhance their inquiry skills and experience learning (and camping) in the great outdoors across Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. The primary aim of this course is to improve educators' ability to teach inquiry, gain knowledge and understanding of geoscience, and to demonstrate effective teaching methods for 6-12 learning environments. Participants will discover, observe and study a variety of natural phenomena, focusing on Earth processes and geological history. Enrollment is limited to 9.
GEOS 898 - Nebraska Geology Through Time Audience: K123456789101112 Credit Hours: 3 Location: Lincoln Dates: July 9-13, 8am - 5pmThis course is a one-week tour through key events in the geologic history of Nebraska. We will begin 1.8 billion years ago, with the mountain-building events that created the oldest rocks in Nebraska. Subsequently, we will step through time in chronological order, taking a couple of half-day field trips to look at ~300 million-year-old rocks within easy driving distance of Lincoln. The course includes a tour of the paleontology displays in the State Museum, learning in detail about the Highway Paleontology program and Nebraska's Cenozoic Megafauna. We will finish with an overview of relatively recent (~5 million year) geomorphologic and geologic process in Nebraska, so that students are equipped to incorporate a Nebraska-based examples into a variety of learning modules.
GEOS 898 - Weather, Climate and Climate Change Audience: K123456789101112 Credit Hours: 3 Location: Online Dates: June 4-July 6This course will cover the scientific principles that govern our planet's weather and climate, and will demonstrate ways to teach these concepts to students using experiments and observations. Participants will leave the course with the confidence, knowledge and resources to teach their students about weather, climate, and climate change. The online section of this course does not qualify for the 20% tuition discount.