SDE's National Singapore Math Conference Grounds Educators in Highly Acclaimed Teaching Method

PETERBOROUGH, N.H., April 2, 2014 /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 sixth annual National Conference on Singapore Math Strategies, taking place July 8-11, 2014 in Las Vegas.

At the four-day event, K-6 educators from across the country will learn about Singapore Math, enabling them to effectively implement in their own classrooms the highly acclaimed teaching method based on the national curriculum in Singapore.

"At this year's gathering, there is something for everyone—those just getting familiar with Singapore Math and those deeper into implementation, as well as math coaches and administrators," says Amy Aiello, Manager, Public Events Topic and Program Development at SDE.  "Everyone who attends will leave with practical, ready-to-use strategies and the confidence to implement them—regardless of the math curriculum they are following."  

The conference will feature over 100 full-day, half-day, 75-minute, and 90-minute sessions presented by 18 distinguished speakers, experts, and authors. The wide variety of mathematics-focused sessions reflects the topics educators asked for, including today's and tomorrow's implementation strategies, integrating the Common Core State Standards, innovative ideas to jumpstart critical thinking, 21^st Century skills, and more.

"This event is known for its positive, refreshing, and fun take on mathematics instruction and Singapore Math implementation," states Aiello.  From the first day through the last, attendees will be engaged in hands-on and interactive sessions, view teachers in action demonstrating just-learned skills, and roll up their sleeves in make-n-takes. In informal roundtable discussions, they will have the opportunity to engage directly with key presenters and colleagues and discuss some of the most current and relevant happenings in education today, including how to share Singapore Math back in their schools and districts, weave technology into their instruction, and fit everything they need to into their busy days.   

A highly anticipated highlight of the conference are the grade-specific, Live Classroom Demo sessions held on the last day. Aiello explains, "This is an unforgettably motivating chance for teachers to watch Singapore Math in action. We've invited students from a Las Vegas school to join us—students who are not in a Singapore Math classroom. Depending on the session, a presenter will model a Singapore Math lesson on number sense or on problem solving using the Model Drawing approach. It's a real eye-opener and so much fun to see faces light up as teachers witness the excitement they can duplicate in their own classrooms."

Sessions are presented by the leading minds in Singapore Math and mathematics.  Most notably, world-renowned expert and educator Yeap Ban Har, Ph.D., who will lead a full-day session entitled "The ABCs of Singapore Math Through Whole Numbers." The line-up also includes master educator and author Marcy Cook, National Board Certified Teacher and author Catherine Kuhns, author Eliza Thomas, and Model Drawing expert and author Char Forsten.

"We have been fortunate to secure some of the biggest names in the industry to educate attendees on a variety of topics. Through a rigorous selection process, we've invited speakers we know will deliver the jargon-free perspectives and how-to strategies today's teacher needs to move forward," says Aiello.

This conference is the fastest and most enjoyable way for teachers to get thoroughly up-to-speed on key aspects of Singapore Math. It has recently become popular in the United States because of its track record in Singapore: Singapore students have repeatedly ranked at or near the top on international math exams since the mid-1990s. Unlike American math instruction which often emphasizes drilling and memorization of formulas, Singapore Math focuses on children understanding math on a deeper level. 

"Singapore Math is not a lesson plan. It's a new way of thinking—our attendees will become immersed in and comfortable with, in just four days," says Aiello. "We want children to get the right answer, but also understand why it is the right answer. Why before how … if attendees only grasp this one fundamental concept, their time spent in this conference will pay off tremendously in greater student understanding and math success."  

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 about SDE's national conferences and other professional development opportunities can visit the company's website, www.SDE.com, or call 1-800-462-1478.

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