SDE's National Singapore Math Conference Expands Grade Range, Focuses on New Common Core Math Standards

PETERBOROUGH, N.H., Jan. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Staff Development for Educators (SDE), one of the nation's leading providers of professional development for K-12 educators, is pleased to announce its annual National Conference on Singapore Math Strategies, taking place July 15-19, 2013 in Las Vegas.

Since its inception in 2009, the conference has gained in popularity each year, as Singapore Math has been put into service nationwide by increasing numbers of educators.

Singapore Math is a teaching method based on the national curriculum of Singapore, with a strong emphasis on problem solving and model drawing, and a focus on in-depth understanding of the essential math skills recommended in the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Curriculum Focal Points, the National Mathematics Advisory Panel, and the Common Core State Standards in Mathematics.

The 2013 National Conference on Singapore Math Strategies will offer up several brand-new benefits for educators, many of which are based on feedback from 2012 attendees. For the first time in its five-year history, the conference will extend its former K-6 grade range to invite seventh and eighth grade educators.

The Common Core State Standards, which are replacing disparate state standards in 46 states, will be a focus of virtually every session of the conference. "One of the beauties of Singapore Math is its close alignment with the requirements of the Common Core State Standards for mathematics," reports SDE program planner Amy Aiello. "Educators who have a grasp on Singapore Math will have an easier time integrating the new standards into their instruction."

The conference will kick off with three concurrent live demos of Singapore Math in action, differentiated by grade range. SDE presenters will model lessons with actual students from the Las Vegas area who are not in Singapore Math programs. According to Aiello, "Educators who witness the live demos will be literally astonished at how quickly these kids pick it up and how thoroughly engaged they are in learning."

Famous mathematician and Singaporean educator and author Yeap Ban Har, PhD will lead one full-day session and four 75-minute sessions over two days of the conference, and will be on-hand to sign copies of the recently published book he authored with American educator Lorraine Walker, Every Child Can Do Math: Deceptively Simple Activities to Develop Mathematical Thinking, for grades 3-8.

Award-winning math educator Dan Meyer will present an insightful half-day session titled "Why Kids Hate Word Problems," in which attendees will explore the quality of word problems printed on paper, the reasons for delivering curricula digitally, and effective methods for connecting math to the world outside the classroom.  

Also included in the top ranks of conference presenters is math expert and prolific author Greg Tang, who is well known for his work in developing intuitive approaches to teaching math. His books, Grapes of Math, Math Appeal, Math Fables and many others, are well-used teacher resources in classrooms nationwide.

The National Conference on Singapore Math Strategies is one of five outstanding national conferences that SDE hosts each summer, divided between Las Vegas and Chicago. Attendees can realize substantial savings on tuition by registering before SDE's "Early Bird" discount deadline of March 15^th, 2013.

About SDE

SDE provides professional development for PreK through Grade 12 educators. Through Onsite PD, PD Events, Web-based PD, and PD Resources, the company empowers teachers and administrators across the country with ongoing professional development that is not only research-based, innovative, and rigorous, but also practical, motivating, and fun. All SDE training is presented by the nation's top authors and educational experts, with the goal of creating extraordinary classrooms that prepare students for the evolving demands of the 21st century.

Educators interested in learning more about SDE's national conferences and the many other professional development opportunities offered by SDE can visit the company's website, www.SDE.com, or call 1-800-462-1478.

SOURCE Staff Development for Educators