Fostering Geometric Thinking
Facilitator Institute
July 13-17, 2009

The Fostering Geometric Thinking Toolkit (FGTT) has been developed at EDC by a project funded by the National Science Foundation, Fostering Geometric Thinking in the Middle Grades (2004-8, EHR-0353409). The materials, published by Heinemann, Inc. and designed to be used in 20 two-hour sessions (or 10 four-hour sessions), are intended for teachers in grades 5-10 and aim to:

• Strengthen teachers' understanding of geometry
• Enhance teachers' capacity to think and talk about geometric reasoning
• Increase teachers' attention to and understanding of students' geometric thinking
• Prepare teachers to advance geometric thinking in their classrooms

This 5-day institute is designed for people who want to lead groups of teachers using the FGTT. The materials themselves contain considerable guidance in facilitating sessions with the materials. Extending this basic support, the institute will allow help participants:

• Learn and practice skills in leading practice-based professional development
• In particular, learn how to use the various artifacts in the materials, such as student work, video, and computer applets
• In addition, analyze the mathematics content in FGTT problems, in ways that facilitate explorations and extensions
• Explore the range of language-related issues arising from geometric problem solving, particularly in classrooms of teachers of English Language Learners
• Network with like-minded educators interested in leading geometry-focused professional development

Institute Host
Since 1989, the Center for Leadership and Learning
Communities (CLLC) has offered leadership training institutes for leaders
in school-based
settings.
At the heart of our leadership training is the belief that effective communication,
coupled with the strategic use of artifacts in teacher professional development
-- such as written student work, transcripts of student problem solving,
and classroom
video- can yield a powerful effect on instruction.