PRIME Extension Consortium schools may use up to 16 of their 50 support teacher hours for workshops at the school site. Below is the current list of workshops from which schools may choose. Some of these workshops are also offered as PRIME Energizer Workshops (see link below for this yearís schedule).

In this workshop participants will be shown lesson and activities in three geometric areas: descriptive and relational tasks, measurement tasks, spatial visual tasks. Lessons include "Lowly Wormís Footprints", "Shape Name Kitty Nim", and a problem solving lesson called "Shapey". In addition, teachers explore activity centers in these areas: Seeing Things, Puzzle Center, Measuring Place, Building Things. Literature connections are also presented. Grades K ñ 2.

In this workshop participants examine a framework for introducing primary students to measurement. Activities are provided which illustrate the ideas of measuring by comparing, measuring using informal (non-standard) units, measuring using standard units, and measuring using measurement tools. Measuring activities include examples in quantifying length, weight, area, perimeter, volume and capacity. K - 2

Mastering the Basic Facts for Addition and Subtraction This workshop will present strategies for sequencing the teaching of the basic facts in a way which makes logical sense for students. This method enables students to memorize their facts more efficiently and provides them with strategies to fall back on when memory fails. Included are games which reinforce the strategies and provide practice towards mastery for students. Grades K ñ 2.

In this workshop teachers will learn how to introduce the ideas of chance and random events to young students. We will perform simple probability experiments with dice, spinners, coins, and cards, then analyze this data using graphs and charts. The lessons presented will cause students to make predictions, conduct experiments, analyze results and begin to use mathematics to explain why the experimental results occurred as they did. Grades K ñ 2.

In this workshop problem solving experiences will be drawn from childrenís literature books. Ideas for problem solving tasks and ways to introduce problem solving strategies through these tasks will be addressed. The stories include The Napping House, One Hundred Hungry Ants, P. Bearís New Yearís Party, Bunches and Bunches of Bunnies, The Doorbell Rang. Grades K ñ 3.

In this workshop teachers examine the operations and consider strategies for introducing these operations to primary students using stories, manipulatives and literature. The addition and subtraction facts are grouped into four strategies and teaching ideas for each strategy are presented. A large collection of games are included for practicing each facts group and for reviewing previously learned facts. Grades K ñ 3.

In this workshop teachers will learn how to introduce primary students to the ideas of collecting, displaying and analyzing data using graphs. Real graphs, picture graphs, bar graphs, cirlcle graphs and glyphs are used. These graphs are used to reinforce the concepts of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. In addition, probability experiments and geometry activities are used as a means to generate numerical data to graph. Grades 1 ñ 3.

In this workshop teachers will examine problem solving strategies appropriate to their grade level. Strategies may include Make a Table, Make an Organized List, Look for a Pattern, Solve a Simpler Problem, Work Backwards, Act it Out, Build a Model or Draw a Picture, Eliminate Possibilities, Systematic Guess and Check. Problems which illustrate each strategy will be provided as a vehicle for teaching students to use these strategies. In addition, classroom management ideas and classroom characteristics which promote success in problem solving will be discussed. Grades 4 ñ 6.

In this workshop participants will use Macintosh computers to learn how to use ClarisWorksí spreadsheet. Participants will learn how to make bar, circle, and line graphs using the spreadsheet. The use of formulas will also be introduced. In addition, problems (appropriate for students) that can be solved using the spreadsheet will be provided. This workshop will allow participants to work at their own pace. No prior experience with a spreadsheet is required. Grades 1 ñ 8.

In this workshop teachers will experience lessons which introduce geometric terminology as well as elementary topics in two-dimensional and three-dimensional geometry. These lessons use a variety of materials for instruction including pattern blocks, geoboards, color tiles, and color cubes as well as an assortment of everyday objects. Grades 2 ñ 6.

Participants in this workshop will have the opportunity to make 10 wooden puzzles that might be used in the classroom or as a Family Math station. Puzzles may include Greco-Latin Squares, Peg Games, Topological Ring Puzzles, Soma cube puzzles and others. A fee of $10 per person is required for this workshop to cover the cost of materials. Grades 2 ñ 8.

In this workshop teachers will learn how to analyze the results of simple probability experiments with dice, cards, spinners and coins. The results of these experiments will lead students to use probability as a predictive tool. The lessons presented will cause students to make predictions, conduct experiments, analyze results and begin to use mathematics to explain why the experimental results occurred as they did. Grades 3 ñ 4.

In this workshop teachers examine the operations and consider strategies for reinforcing these concepts with students using stories, manipulatives and literature. The multiplication and division facts are grouped into four strategies and teaching ideas for each strategy are presented. A large collection of games are included for practicing each facts group and for reviewing previously learned facts. Grades 3 ñ 5.

In this workshop teachers will use a group of activity centers to introduce students to the idea of fractions and develop initial number sense for fractions. In addition, lessons which use pattern blocks and color tiles to extend studentsí thinking about fractions will be demonstrated. The lessons include the connection of the manipulative activities to the procedures for changing mixed numbers to improper fractions and for finding equivalent fractional names. Grades 3 ñ 5.

This workshop will present strategies for sequencing the teaching of the basic facts in a way which makes logical sense for students. This method enables students to memorize their facts more efficiently and provides them with strategies to fall back on when memory fails. Included are games which reinforce the strategies and provide practice towards mastery for students. Grades 3 ñ 5.

In this workshop teachers will learn how to introduce the concept of division using manipulatives and pictures. The notion of remainders in division will be addressed at the concrete level and interpreted in a variety of contexts. Base 10 blocks will be used to model multi-digit division in a way which leads students to the standard algorithm. In addition, an alternate algorithm which reinforces the repeated subtraction meaning of division will be presented. Grades 3 ñ 6.

In this workshop teachers will learn how to introduce the concept of multiplication using manipulatives and pictures. Multi-digit multiplication will be explored using base 10 blocks with diagrams and a partial products recording system. In addition, several alternate algorithms which reinforce concept of place value and properties of multiplication will be presented. Grades 3 ñ 6.

Alternate algorithms are non-traditional methods for finding answers to numerical problems. Introducing alternate algorithms to students has several benefits: relief for students who are struggling to learn the standard algorithm, reliable ways to check answers, insights into the operations themselves, and reinforcement of important concepts such as place value and properties. In this workshop teachers will learn 18 algorithms for multi-digit problems these three operations. Grades 3 ñ 6.

In this workshop participants are introduced to a variety of graphical representations for categorical data. A series of activity centers provide numerical data which is later displayed graphically and using stem and leaf plots. Sets of data generated in the centers is then analyzed using mean, median, mode and range as statistical measures. Grades 3 ñ 6.

Have you considered putting on a Math Fair, Math Contest or Math Theme Day but donít know where to start? This workshop will begin with a discussion of the rationale and motive for putting on such events. Next, we will present several possible organizational structures used by teachers who have run Math Days. Finally, time will be set aside for you to actually plan your event with the help and expertise of a PRIME support teacher. Grades 3 ñ 8.

In this workshop teachers will learn how to extend studentsí understanding of fractional ideas using pattern blocks, color tiles and Cuisenaire Rods. Also included are lessons which connect the manipulative activities to the procedures for changing mixed numbers to improper fractions, for finding equivalent fractional names, for reducing fractions to lowest terms, and for finding common denominators.

Grades 5 ñ 8.

In this workshop we will build on the ideas of the Fraction Concepts workshop to introduce addition, subtraction, multiplication and division with fractions relying heavily on the meaning of fractions and the meaning of each operation. Cuisenaire rods and pictures will be used to illustrate situations for each operation. Connections to algorithms (standard and student-invented) will be investigated. Grades 5 ñ 8.

In this workshop teachers will look at how to introduce the concept of percent starting with studentsí tacit understanding of the term and connecting this to real world examples. Manipulatives are used to reinforce the ideas of percent, and four methods for solving percent problems are explored. In addition, a wide variety of resource material will be provided. Grades 5 ñ 8.

In this workshop teachers will use a pictorial model to explore the meaning of each operation with integers. When used with students, the approach presented allows students to articulate their own rules for adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing integers. In addition, these lessons serve to develop a level of conceptual understanding not possible when students simply memorize rote procedures and rules.

Grades 5 ñ 8.

In this workshop teachers will learn how to take simple probability experiments with dice, cards, spinners and coins to the level of mathematical analysis. The process will lead students to use probability as a predictive tool. The lessons presented will cause students to make predictions, conduct experiments, analyze results and use mathematics to explain why the experimental results occurred as they did.

Grades 5 ñ 8

In this workshop teachers will explore an effective organizational approach for managing problem solving in the upper elementary and middle school classroom. A wealth of problems appropriate for students in grades 5 - 8 will be provided along with suggested strategies for solving them. This session will also include ideas for getting students to write about problem solving as well as a suggested rubric for scoring such work. Grades 6 ñ 8.