MPTCA 2025

We want our students to be confident math thinkers and problem solvers. We want them to work with numbers fluently and flexibly. This session will focus on strengthening numeracy skills in a Thinking Classroom. Following Peter Liljedah's framework, we will explore number talks, strategies for addition and subtraction, and tools to support students wherever they are in their math learning. We will also explore some Big Beautiful Problems and picture books to inspire the love and joy of numeracy!

Session Objectives:
1. Develop number sense and numeracy skills
2. Develop understanding of addition and subtraction
3. Inspire the love and joy of math

How about we just do some math for fun? Let's get together and dive into some of my most favourite Big Beautiful Problems that are for EVERYONE. Come experience the excitement, flow, and joy as a learner! Be ready to take these problems straight back to your classrooms to share with your students, regardless of what grade you teach.

Session Objectives:
1. Share the love and joy of math
2. Build collaboration, communication, problem-solving skills, perseverance, confidence, and a positive math identity

Why is it important to prioritize our financial well-being? Being financially prepared is essential because it's not just about money; it's a fundamental aspect of overall wellness. Neglecting financial health can lead to stress and affect mental well-being, making it harder to navigate life's challenges. For educators, who often prioritize the needs of others over their own, focusing on personal wellness, including financial wellness, is imperative. Studies show that 40% of financially unstable Canadians experience stress related to their finances. This stress permeates their work life, with 88% reporting frequent worries and 49% admitting it affects their job performance. However, what if there were simple tools that could alleviate this stress? This session aims to provide such tools, offering practical steps that can be implemented easily. In this session, you will learn how to identify any financial gaps that you may have, how to prepare for the unknown (financial emergencies and unexpected costs), and how to plan for your expected financial needs (home downpayment, kids' post-secondary tuition, additional retirement funds). We will explore investment options, look at market dynamics, and, using our core strategies, we will set you up to make informed financial decisions. Being financially prepared isn't just about avoiding financial pitfalls; it's about building resilience and understanding and securing peace of mind in the face of life's uncertainties.

Session Objectives:
1. How to identify financial gaps that you may have
2. Investment and insurance options to help close the gaps
3. Core strategies for success and financial wellness

In this session, you'll learn the similarities and differences between the instructional routines
called Problem Strings and Number Talks, and Thin Slicing problems. You'll learn which to use
when and how often so you can maximize student engagement and learning.

We want our students to be confident math thinkers and problem solvers. We want them to work with numbers fluently and flexibly. This session will focus on strengthening numeracy skills in a Thinking Classroom. Following Peter Liljedah's framework, we will explore number talks, strategies for multiplication and division, and tools to support students wherever they are in their math learning. We will also explore some Big Beautiful Problems and picture books to inspire the love and joy of numeracy!

Session Objectives:
1. Develop number sense and numeracy skills
2. Develop understanding of multiplication and division
3. Inspire the love and joy of math

You're on a mission to teach math better and reach more students. With concept-grounded fluency strategies, students will achieve better results by shifting their focus from memorizing and mimicking to reasoning and math-ing. This session will provide tasks, strategies, and models to enhance your math instruction. Math is Figure-out-able!

Dive into an Alberta-based STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) initiative in partnership with Lethbridge Polytechnic that enriches K-12 education with practical trades experience. The session features an interactive opportunity for you to be in your students shoes to explore and engage with our free digital and hands-on resources. We'll start with a brief overview of the project and its connections to the mathematics and science curricula and industry. You will then spend the majority of the session interacting with the activities and resources that can be immediately implemented into your practice. We will seek your feedback on classroom application and potential resources. You ll leave better equipped to answer the question of Why do I need to learn this? by connecting mathematics and science concepts to students everyday lives.

Session Objectives:
1. Participants will understand how the STEM initiative connects with K-12 mathematics and science curricula and industry relevance.
2. Participants will explore and learn to implement digital and hands-on STEM resources in their teaching practice.
3. Participants will provide feedback on the resources and activities for improved classroom application.

Join me for a double session designed for K-3 teachers to focus on planning, instruction, and assessment related to numeracy. Through collaborative dialogue with peers, participants will have dedicated time to plan, collaborate, and design instruction and assessments. The session will also include sharing pedagogical approaches and resources to enhance support. Please come prepared with the necessary tools for collaboration and be ready to expand your knowledge and practice in numeracy.

Session Objectives:
1. To deepen subject matter knowledge and expand professional capacities to meet the challenging demands of the educational landscape and student needs.
2. To join professional learning communities to exchange pedagogical strategies and instructional insights.
3. To provide time and opportunity for active learning.