Planning to the margins sounds like a great idea – until you are trying to do it with your own students! As more and more students with exceptional support needs (linguistically, behaviorally, socially, and academically) join general education classes, the need for UDL increases. Yet these varying needs can be taxing and exhausting for any educator, and the idea of executing UDL with a fixed curriculum can be especially daunting. In this session, participants will experience UDL in action while learning easy-to-implement strategies at various grade levels, subjects, and curriculum.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to: · Define Universal Design for Learning and name key components · Identify examples of UDL in action · Set goals for implementing more UDL in their own classes to support a range of learners
Explore the nexus of neuroscience, cognitive science, and math education learning science in this dynamic session on how the brain learns math. Through a synthesis of cutting-edge research and practical applications, reflect on teaching practices and instructional routines that support the brain's natural learning mechanisms, ultimately fostering deeper comprehension and ownership of mathematical concepts. This session will bridge theory and practice, unlocking the potential to create more effective and engaging learning experiences that amplify students' natural brilliance as powerful math thinkers.
What does it mean to incorporate equity-based practices into teaching mathematics? We will identify and interact with the five Equity Based Mathematics Practices (EBMPs) in this session, highlighting the ways in which these practices strengthen learning and cultivate positive identities. Together, we’ll engage in tasks and connect the EBMPs to a shared mathematics experience.
Tywana Fulford is the PreK - 5 Mathematics Specialist at Open Up Resources. She devotes her career to helping children find their love for math. Tywana has been in education for almost 20 years with a bachelors in Mathematics Education from Florida A&M University and a masters degree... Read More →
Mathematics is not a collection of isolated skills—it’s a web of interconnected ideas that, when woven together, create a deeper and more meaningful understanding for students. In this session, we will explore how to map connections across domains to support students in making sense of math, strengthening fluency, and building confidence. Through engagement with grade-specific examples, interactive discussions, and hands-on mapping exercises, teachers will leave with strategies to seamlessly integrate these connections into their instruction.
In this interactive session, participants will explore effective strategies for supporting and enhancing reading skills in the math classroom. Understanding that math often requires strong reading comprehension, we'll examine ways to help students navigate word problems, interpret mathematical language, and develop the critical thinking skills necessary for success. Attendees will make connections between mathematics fluency and reading fluency, and discover practical techniques for integrating reading comprehension strategies into math instruction.
Anchor charts are more than just colorful posters—they are dynamic tools that capture student thinking, reinforce key concepts, and serve as ongoing reference points for learning. In this session, we’ll explore how to create and use anchor charts effectively to deepen mathematical understanding and promote student independence. Leave with practical strategies to make math more accessible and visible, and pre-made anchor charts to take back to the classroom!
In this session, we will explore the importance of effective planning before, during, and after instruction. We’ll learn how to unpack a unit, backwards plan lessons, and utilize assessment opportunities in the Open Up Resources K–8 Math curriculum to respond to student thinking in real-time and guide our teaching. Leave with practical strategies and tools for planning, analyzing data, and enhancing learning for all students!
