The Asia-Pacific Mathematics and Science Education Collaborative and the Chicago Lesson Study Group invite you to the 2008 International Symposium on Mathematics Teaching and Learning. Large-scale international studies have drawn attention to Asian curricula and textbook materials such as those from Singapore and Japan. The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the National Mathematics Panel Final Report emphasize the need for cohesive curricula and textbook materials that introduce fewer topics at a time and delve deeper into each topic. Authors of the Curriculum Focal Points include ideas and models from Singaporean and Japanese mathematics textbooks to develop students’ deeper understanding of mathematics (Teaching Children Mathematics, 2008). Despite the fact that mathematics teachers and educators have become interested in Asian mathematics curricula and textbooks, there have been few opportunities to look closely at these curricula and textbooks to consider the characteristics of each, their strengths and potential drawbacks, and to see what classroom instruction using these curricula might look like.

This international symposium is designed for curriculum developers and those with an interest in making state standards more focused, as well as teachers and educators interested in using a focused and coherent curriculum. It offers an opportunity to discuss with experts of Singaporean and Japanese mathematics education what we can learn from their materials. The focus of this symposium will be the teaching and learning of fractions. With the gracious support of Chicago Futabakai Japanese School and Chicago Lesson Study Group, we will have the unique opportunity to observe a 5th grade mathematics classroom studying “fraction as a quotient” using the best-selling Japanese mathematics textbook series.

CPDUs will be available for Illinois teachers.

Location:
DePaul University O’Hare Campus
3166 South River Road, Des Plaines IL 60018
* Free parking space will be available
* Several hotels are available nearby (see attached file)

Featured Speakers:
YEAP Ban Har, National Institute of Education, Singapore
Tad Watanabe, Kennesaw State University, Georgia
Makoto Yoshida, William Paterson University, New Jersey
Akihiko Takahashi, DePaul University, Chicago
 
Research Lesson: Fraction and Division (5th Grade)
-       Research Lesson by Kouji Motoki and the 5th grade students, Chicago Futabakai Japanese School
-       English translation of the lesson plan and simultaneous translation from Japanese to English will be provided.

Registration:

The registration fee is $320 (USD) for three days, including breakfasts, lunch for Day 1 & Day 2, refreshments for all three days, and bus service between the DePaul O’Hare campus and the Japanese School on Day 2. Deadline for registration is October 31, 2008. There will be NO onsite registrations. The number of the participants will be limited to 100. Once the number of participants reaches 100, registrations will no longer be accepted even if that occurs BEFORE October 31. Cancellation notices must be submitted by October 31, 2008 for a partial refund of $300. No refunds will be available for cancellations after October 31, 2008.

Registration Procedure:

1. Complete registration form.

2. If paying by credit card, provide credit card information below. If paying by check, make check payable to DePaul University for $320 per person.

3. Submit form and either check or credit card information to

Stephanie Parrillo, Budget Office, School of Education
2320 North Kenmore Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60614-3250

Fax: 773-325-7708
Email: SParrill@DePaul.edu