We are still taking proposals for sessions for this summer’s TMCNYC (August 22-24). Because our conference is local and small (by design) we can say with some specificity what some people are looking to learn when we gather.

Of course, we can’t comprehensively say what everyone attending our conference is interested in learning. But based on conversations, notes from registrants and the session proposals we’ve already gotten, certain themes are emerging.

In hopes of inspiring more people to register or to submit proposals, here are some of those emerging themes:

Making connections between educators involved in elementary, middle/high school and adult education. We already have a group working on angle routines for elementary students, and that group involves educators that work in elementary, high school and university education. We also have a session proposed about connecting calculus ideas to the material in earlier — even elementary — grades. Finally, there is a great crew of educators who teach math to adult students who will be attending the conference, and they often are working with material from across the k-12 spectrum.

There is energy behind ideas for connecting mathematics across grade levels at this conference. Have an idea for how to take this further? If so, please propose a session on your idea.

What is mathematics? Who is someone who does mathematics? There is a session that has already been proposed about how one’s identity impacts their ability to teach or learn mathematics. Through conversations, we’ve learned that some participants would be interested in thinking more about what mathematics is and what students think mathematics to be. These two questions (who does math? what is math?) are potentially deeply connected. It would be wonderful to receive more session proposals connecting to these themes, so if you have one in mind — share it please!

Routines that help kids do deep mathematics. This has been a major theme of past TMCNYC conferences, and it seems that people are still eager to learn more. We have several sessions submitted about instructional routines for supporting inquiry, and the aforementioned elementary angle group is developing new routines to share at the conference. But what other ways of mathematical engagement can be supported with a routine? We could use more submissions along these lines too!

Art, Games, and Algebra. These aren’t one thing — unless you have a game that combines art and algebra! — but these were other areas that people told us they were interested in when they registered. We could definitely use more proposals along these lines.

If your interest or your session isn’t part of these topics — all the better! We all benefit when people share things they are passionate about.

But if you’re looking for a sense of what our conference will be about or thinking about what others might be interested in, consider this list a partial snapshot of where some of the interest lies.

Looking forward to hearing your idea!

The session proposal form for TMCNYC is here!

As you think about proposing a session for our August meeting, it could be helpful to keep in mind the ways TMCNYC is different from other professional meetings you might have experienced:

1. It’s smaller, by design.
2. It’s local, by design.

These factors don’t limit what you can propose — rather, they can open up new possibilities.

So, for example, if you have something that you’d very much like to learn about, but you don’t want to lead the session, we can try to find someone to lead that session.

Another example: if you want to try something that wouldn’t be possible at a larger conference in a large room, you can do that too. Last year’s sessions included a facilitated discussion about race in the classroom, and a math fair with interactive stations.

We’re local, by design: feel free to host a session that focuses on things happening in NY.

But these are just ideas to spark your imagination. We’re eager to hear your ideas, so please be in touch if you have any idea for a session, but aren’t sure if it would make sense for our meeting in August. We’d love to chat about it with you!

All the best,

TMCNYC Planning Team

Dan Anderson (@dandersod) is a high school math teacher and a mathematical artist. And he’s coming to TMCNYC to share mathematical art with us! Register now (click here to register) and make sure to come on Thursday August 23 to learn more about math art from Dan.

Here is a sample of some of Dan’s work. You can find more of his art here.

Complete the form below, or follow this link to the registration form.

On Tuesday, August 16 we are going to start the journey that will be NYC mini-TMC. The conference specifics are becoming clearer as anticipation builds. Let me take a second and try to wrap up all of the information so you can know a little about the schedule on behalf of the planing team: David Wees, Michael Pershan, Leah Segal, and myself (Carl Oliver).

First off the conference is packed with registrants. Our registration form has been shut down for a few weeks now, and are accepting new people on a waitlist status. Those people who cannot come to the conference have let Leah know, and as vacancies arise, we will work to make sure spots are filled.

The schedule for the conference has been posted, but before I get in to the details, you should know a little about what we were trying to do. Some conferences and PDs approach these kinds of events with a package of ideas that participants are supposed to passive receive. We hoped this event would would put the ideas of educators at the forefront instead of those of the planners. While the event will focus on instructional activities, each presenter is developing their own unique view about the topic. Many sessions break the focus and address ideas from across the education gamut.

The current schedule is available in draft form here: TMCNYC16 Schedule DRAFT

Reading through the schedule you’ll probably notice a lot of amazing sessions! If you notice any mistakes in your description let me (Carl) know and I’ll make the changes.

Another thing you might notice about the schedule is that there are some blank spots. These are spaces where what’s discussed will be determined during the conference. We will built in some “flex sessions”, and these should add moments of genuine exchange and cooperation among participants about the most pressing issues. The primary content of these sessions should come from questions developed by the participants as they go through the conference.

We also plan to have some social events. These aren’t on the schedule because we don’t know what they are yet (send your ideas to Carl!), but what we do know is that they will be open to the larger outside world.

Lastly, we have a hashtag!  Please follow #tmcnyc16 as more updates come over the next few weeks.

So sometime this spring the idea started floating around about having a smaller local event that teachers could connect and share knowledge. This event could share the spirit and ethos of Twitter Math Camp (TMC).

The ideas resonated with many teachers around twitter, and soon plans began to form.

Word began to spread.

Now we are close enough that we have to set up a conference website!

If you are still interested in attending, you should follow this link to sign up while there is still space!

Link To Official Registration Form