61St Annual Western Illinois University Mathematics Teachers Conference

61st Annual Western Illinois University Mathematics Teachers Conference

Teaching and Learning Mathematics K-14 http://www.wiu.edu/cas/math/events/conference_home.php

Western Illinois University - Macomb, Illinois

Friday, March 23, 2012

Speaker Submission Form

Name: ……Jim Olsen……………………………………………………………………..………………………….. School / Organization: …Western Illinois University………………………………………………………….. Contact Address: …Mathematics Department………………………………………………………………... City: ……Macomb……………………………………………. State: …IL…………….… Zip: ……61455…….. Email : ……………………..…………Phone:……309-313-4991…………………...…

Appropriate for grade level:

Late High School to College (12-14) Early High School (9-11)

Junior High School (7-8) Middle School (5-6)

Elementary School (K-4)

Title of Presentation:

The conference will have 35-minute parallel sessions on a variety of topics related to Teaching and Learning Mathematics. Please volunteer to share your ideas and successes with your fellow colleagues.

Registration fees will be waived for all speakers.

Program Description: Write a concise, specific description of the essential content of your presentation suitable for the program book (limited to 350 characters, including spaces).

Abstract: Provide/Attach a more detailed description of your presentation for the review committee. This may include goals/objectives of your presentation and what you hope your attendees will gain from their participation.

The Common Core Math Standards call for a much deeper understanding of fractions, especially real world problems involving fractions – in fact, these are identified as focus areas for 5th and 6th grade. For example, quoting from the 5th and 6th grade standards (respectively):

· “Solve real world problems involving multiplication of fractions and mixed numbers, e.g., by using visual fraction models or equations to represent the problem.” [Number and Operations—Fractions 5.NF]

· “Interpret and compute quotients of fractions, and solve word problems involving division of fractions by fractions, e.g., by using visual fraction models and equations to represent the problem. For example, create a story context for (2/3) ÷ (3/4) and use a visual fraction model to show the quotient” [The Number System - 6.NS]

In this session we will discuss how we can extend the meanings of the operations (which hopefully were used in early elementary to develop concepts of the four operations) to understand addition, subtraction,

multiplication, and division of fractions (and mixed numbers). Similarly, we will show some examples of how fraction models (which were used to introduce the concept of fractions) can be used to help students understand addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of fractions (and mixed numbers). We will focus on word problems as a way to develop understanding and meaning of applications of fractions. This is a big challenge, but it feels good once understanding and meaning are obtained.

Please submit form to: Sharon Setser at Western Illinois University, Department of Mathematics,

1 University Circle, Macomb, IL 61455 or by E-mail .