An Invitation

to attend

Fractions and Decimals:

Understanding, Assessing & Teaching These Difficult Topics in an Effective and Enjoyable Way (Years 4 - 8)

Fractions and decimals are probably the most difficult topics to teach and to learn in the middle years, but it doesn't have to be that way. In this workshop, we'll explore the "big ideas" of fractions and decimals, look at some very helpful assessment tasks for gauging what students know and can do in this area (including the presence of common misconceptions), and consider the many important representations and models of fractions and decimals. For much of the day, we will focus on a range of powerful classroom activities that build confidence and capability with fractions and decimals. We'll eat chocolate (in the interests of science) and we'll have fun too.

Facilitators: Doug Clarke and Anne Roche

Date: Thursday 14th August 2008

Time: 9.00am - 3.30pm

Venue: Laetare Gardens

37 Hopkins Street, Moonah

Cost: $50.00 (includes catering)

Catering: Morning tea, lunch, tea and coffee provided

Registration: Please complete the attached registration form and return to Jacquie Mayne no later than Thursday 24th July 2008.

Correspondence will be sent to you confirming your acceptance in the professional learning session.

CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY
A full refund will be made for cancellations received in writing at the Catholic Education Office ten (10) working days before the date of the conference/workshop/course etc. A 50% refund will be made for cancellations received in writing from five (5) to ten (10) working days before a conference/workshop/course etc. Within five (5) working days no refund will be made.

For further details please contact Louise Hodgson on 62108888

Doug Clarke

Doug is a Professor at the Australian Catholic University (Melbourne), and Director of the Mathematics Teaching and Learning Centre there. He was formally joint coordinator of the Australian Mathematics Curriculum and Teaching Program (MCTP: P - 10). In recent years, his professional interests have included using mathematics to explore current events and students' interests, problem solving and investigations, building number sense, and manageable and meaningful assessment. Doug enjoys working in classrooms with teachers and students to make mathematics relevant and enjoyable.

Anne Roche

Anne is an experienced primary school teacher and more recently has been working with pre-service and postgraduate students at Australian Catholic University. She has managed research in the Mathematics Teaching and Learning Centre at Australian Catholic University (Melbourne) since 2000 and was involved in the Early Numeracy Research Project from 1999 to 2002. She completed her Master of Education specialising in Early Numeracy in 2004. Her main research has involved understanding and assessing student thinking about decimals and fractions and teachers' pedagogical content knowledge in this area.