The NCTM Connection

The NCTM Connection

Notes and resources from Minnesota’s NCTM Representative – Becky Rahm

Happy October! Now that classroom routines are established, autumn is a great time to think about new projects, tools, or professional learning opportunities you’d love to explore this school year.

A resource to check out: Did you know NCTM provides direct funding for classroom teachers? Through the Mathematics Education Trust (MET), NCTM offers grants ranging from $1,200 to $8,000 for K–12 educators. Whether you are looking to purchase classroom manipulatives, action-research a new teaching strategy, or attend a national conference, there are funding opportunities designed specifically for practicing teachers. Fall grant applications are due November 1, making October the perfect time to explore options on the NCTM Grants & Awards page and start an application!

A quick tip for October: One of the effective teaching practices highlighted in NCTM’s Principles to Actions is Posing Purposeful Questions to foster classroom discourse. A game-changing tweak to try this month: instead of ending a problem with “Who has a question?” (which usually yields silence), reframe it as: “I’m looking for two questions. Who has the first one for me?” Setting the expectation that questions are normal and valuable completely shifts classroom culture and lowers the barrier for students to speak up.

Connect with Minnesota teachers: Don’t forget to check in with our local community on the MCTM Members Facebook Group. It’s a great place to share ideas, ask questions, or see what other math educators across Minnesota are trying in their classrooms this fall. I challenge you to invite one new MN math teacher to the group.

Keep making connections,

Becky Rahm – NCTM Rep for Minnesota