Journal of the Mathematics Council of the Alberta Teachers’ Association
Volume 45 Issue 2, June 2008
This year has continued to bring opportunities for learning about mathematics education. With the implementation of the new program of studies in the fall, we find ourselves making many decisions that we know will affect our classrooms for years to come. This issue of delta-K responds to changing times by presenting research and teaching ideas that will inspire, challenge and motivate you to continue to develop professionally as a math teacher.
One major event of the Mathematics Council of the Alberta Teachers ‘ Association (MCATA) is the annual conference. Included in this issue are photographs of participants and presenters who attended the 2007 conference, in Edmonton. I invite you to consider attending the 2008 conference, in Jasper, as a way of engaging in ongoing conversations about curriculum and pedagogical changes. The report from Alberta Education contains updated information about these changes.
Several awards are presented each year by MCATA, and the recipients are briefly introduced in this issue. As you can see, we are proud to be part of a strong community of mathematics educators. Art Jorgensen, a long-time member of this community, shared his thoughts about math education in a conversation with me. The Dr Arthur Jorgensen Chair Award honours him for the work he has done in this field. I encourage each of you to honour those leaders who have made a difference in your professional lives by nominating them for one of these awards. Application forms are available on MCATA’s website at www.mathteachers.ab.ca.
Textbook purchases are priorities in upcoming budgets. The letter to the editor by Mandras and the feature article by Kajander and Lovric seek to provoke thoughtfulness about these decisions.
Throughout this process of change, we must reflect on our pedagogical practices. Kajander and Zuke present ideas for working with at-risk students; Mandras suggests that there are alternative ways of considering algebra. Avramovic and Oddy remind us to play with mathematics. A page of problems is also included for this purpose.
Be curious, be inspired. Have a wonderful summer.
Gladys Sterenberg
1
2
Gladys Sterenberg
3
Sharon Gach
4 – 7
8 – 9
Dr Arthur Jorgensen Chair Award 2007
Tom Janzen
10
Mathematics Educator of the Year Award 2007
Sandra Unrau
11 – 12
The Right Angle: Report from Alberta Education
Kathy McCabe
13 – 14
William G Mandras
15
Janis Kristjansson
16 – 17
A Conversation with Dr Jorgensen
Gladys Sterenberg
18 – 20
Textbooks in Mathematics Learning: The Potential for Misconceptions
Ann Kajander and Miroslav Lovric
21 – 24
Listening for Their Voices: A Study of Intermediate Students at Risk in Mathematics
Ann Kajander and Carly Zuke
25 – 26
Universals That Are Not: Learning About the Language of Mathematics Around the Dinner Table
Christine McCuaig
27
Sanja Avramovic and Renee Oddy
28 – 35
William G Mandras
36
Gladys Sterenberg
37
