3. Postdoctoral Program - MSRI

Evaluation #13 (Guess: Bill’s)
1. What were the benefits of attending this type of institute?
My purpose in attending this institute was to deepen my math thinking. I certainly
have learned a more disciplined approch to teaching/learning middle school math. I
have acquired greater facility and confidence with logical progression of mathematical
relationships especially as they are represented in the number line. I will now be a
forceful presenter of the idea that “everything begins with 1”. My students will hear that
message from me and, hopefully, internalize it more than ever.
2. What improvements do you suggest? Please be specific.
As I have repeated on comment cards there needs to be more time for participants to
work cooperatively to solve problems. I am a big believer in think-pair-share. We need
to practice this strategy as participants and workshop leaders. It got better as we got to
know each other, especially during the third week.
3. What would you like to see happen during the Saturday sessions? How
would you like them organized? Please be specific. Consider format, topics,
etc.
Prior to the sessions I would like to receive questionnaire so that I may specify what
I am currently teaching and my current needs for further development. Responses could
be sorted and group so that small groups could collaborate to discuss issues that come
up.
I would like to look at problem solving strategies. How are problems introduced, how
are the solutions strategies scaffolded. How is the mathematical idea(s) then arrived at
in a classroom situation with young students.
Differentiated teaching strategies.
4. What are you going to implement/change in your classroom because of
what have you learned in this institute?
I use Everyday Math. I am concerned that there are more standards and pacing is
quick for me to give appropriate attention to all of them. I organize my class around
teacher directed strategies emphasizing mental math and concept development at the
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