ETSC: No LIMIT! Project Introduction

ESD 112 > Services > Ed Tech > No LIMIT!

NO LIMIT stands for New Outcomes: Learning Improvement in Mathematics Integrating Technology. The overarching goal of the NO LIMIT Project is to develop classroom models where students in grades 5-9 are engaged in activities that lead to a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts and improvement in mathematics achievement. This is accomplished through the development of professional learning communities at the building level that focus on effective mathematics instruction and integration of appropriate technology. In Southwest Washington, 21 teachers are participating in the 2006-2007 No LIMIT project, focusing on the use of the student response systems to promote the use of immediate feedback and rich discourse in the classroom.

The participating schools in Southwest Washington include:

The dates and times of the Professional Development sessions for 2006-2007 include:

For more information about the NO LIMIT Project in Southwest Washington, contact:

Bill Kring
Math Integration Specialist
Phone: (360) 750-7505 x345
E-Mail: bill.kring@esd112.org

Random Sampler: Planning a Math Night

As you plan your math night this year, where do you start?

Combining school, parents/guardians and students together to enjoy math is a goal of Math Nights. Math instruction has changed! The "Direct Model" or "Hands On" activities help make math accessible to everyone and Math Night is a good forum to share materials with parents.

Many parents suffered through math and feel that they don't "have the brain" for math. Other parents want to know about the different strands of math that their students are now learning in school. It's not just about computation anymore. Planning a Math Night for Middle School students can be overwhelming, but a worthwhile experience.

Parents will enjoy exploring mathematics with their students using activities that involve concrete materials. As you select materials and activities, keep in mind that parents and students need to be engaged and feel successful.

Math Night Ideas

I recommend using some of these activities from the Summer Math Content Training:

Through the ESD 112 Materials Center, you can borrow a Gems Kit for grades 5-8 entitiled Math Around the World. The kit includes the manual and all of the materials needed for the activities. Toward the back of the guide there is a plan for making Math Around the World a school-wide festival. It is a good idea to look over the materials and perhaps teach the games to your students before the Math Night allowing the students to become experts for their parents.

Math Nights are well worth the effort. They help encourage parents/guardians to share experiences with their students with a positive school activity. Refreshments and child care will enhance the evening and are encouraged! Student enthusiasm for time with their parents will make this a great event.

Family Math Resources

The following is a list of Family Math guide books:
(These lessons are good to use in the classroom too.)

Family Math
By: Jean Kerr Stenmark, Virginia Thompson, and Ruth Cossey.
The handbook includes activities for students grades K-6 as well as information on how to organize a family math night. Materials needed are general classroom items such as calculators, beans, dice, graph paper, counters, cubes.
Family Math the Middle School Years
By: Virginia Thompson and Karen Mayfield-Ingram
This manual focuses activities on algebraic reasoning and number sense for grades 5-8 and includes a section on Organizing Family Math in the Middle School. Materials needed are general classroom items such as calculators, beans, dice, graph paper, counters, and cubes.
Family Math II
By Lawrence Hall of Science
A new manual which can be previewed here.

Be sure to check out our Random Sampler activity archive for more ideas.

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