In this Issue..
- Celebrating Pi Day and Women's History Month in March
- Upcoming conferences and learning summits
- New resources including the Adolescent Framework and OSAS Interim Assessment Learning Course
- Upcoming ODE/OCTM Learning Series Links
Celebrating March
Happy Pi Day 2025
Happy Pi Day 2025! March 14th is here, which is an opportunity to celebrate the mathematical wonder that is Pi (π) with your students. Pi Day is a fantastic opportunity to explore the magic of circles, delve into the mysteries of this infinite number, and have some fun with math!
Resources to Make Pi Day Special:
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Pi Day Activities: NCTM has gathered a variety of pi-related activities from their publications and resources suitable for different grade levels. These activities include hands-on projects, problem-solving tasks, and creative ways to explore the concept of pi.
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NASA Pi Day Challenge: Solve the same problems NASA scientists and engineers do using pi! Check out the NASA Pi Day Activities for engaging lessons and problem sets.
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WeAreTeachers Pi Day Activities: Kick off your Pi Day celebration with free downloadable resources, including worksheets on the history of Pi Day, vocabulary, news, art, fractions, and more. Explore the WeAreTeachers Pi Day Activities.
Share your Pi Day activities and celebrations at ODE.MathProject@ode.oregon.gov.
Photo by Taso Katsionis on Unsplash
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Celebrating Women’s History Month
March is Women's History Month, a time to celebrate the incredible contributions of women throughout history. In the field of mathematics, women have made groundbreaking discoveries and advancements that have shaped our understanding of the world. This month, we honor their achievements and encourage everyone to explore the rich history of women in math.
To help support girls in experiencing success in STEM classes, consider these additional resources:
- IES Practice Guide Encouraging Girls in Math and Science: Provides teachers with specific recommendations that can be implemented in the classroom to foster girls' interest and success in STEM subjects.
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Smithsonian Science Education Center: Provides a variety of STEM resources and programs aimed at inspiring and educating young girls.
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STEM Like a Girl: This organization focuses on providing girls with the tools to develop their own STEM identity, empowering them to embrace their potential.
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Pre-Register for Free Oregon Statewide Learning Summits
Join educators from across the state for an exciting series of Statewide Learning Summits. Mark your calendars and prepare for a day of insightful sessions, networking opportunities, and shared learning experiences on: Early Literacy, Adolescent Literacy, Social Science, and Transformative Social and Emotional Learning.
Five Statewide Locations
- Bend: Thursday, July 31, 2025
- Medford: Wednesday, August 6, 2025
- Portland: Tuesday, August 12, 2025
- Newport: Thursday, August 14, 2025
- La Grande: Friday, October 3, 2025
Who Should Attend? Teachers, Instructional Coaches, Administrators. To maximize learning and impact, we encourage attendees to come in teams that include administrators (building and district), teachers, coaches.
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Now Recruiting for OSAS Data Review
ODE and Smarter Balanced are currently recruiting Oregon educators to join a Data Review panel in September 2025. Participating educators will review the item statistics from OSAS Math Test items field tested in Oregon during 2024-25, a process critical to ensuring that Oregon's tests lead to fair, valid, and reliable results. Participants will receive training on interpreting item statistics and the review process. Participation will require both synchronous and asynchronous work. Substitute reimbursements will be available for participants completing the work on scheduled working days. Otherwise, educators will receive a personal stipend. Contact Andrew Byerley, ODE Math Assessment Specialist, with any questions.
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Now Available: Oregon's Adolescent Literacy Framework
Oregon's Adolescent Literacy Framework is now available as a classroom resource. Section 6 details discipline-specific literacy skills in mathematics, which include:
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Accessing mathematical texts: Students are guided on how to effectively read and interpret mathematical texts, including textbooks, word problems, and data sets.
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Reading like a mathematician: Emphasis is placed on developing the ability to read mathematical texts critically. This includes identifying key information, understanding the logical flow of arguments, and making connections between different mathematical concepts.
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Writing like a mathematician: Students are encouraged to express their mathematical thinking clearly and precisely through writing. This involves constructing well-organized mathematical arguments, using appropriate terminology, and presenting data and findings in a coherent manner.
Each section includes concrete teaching approaches for integration into existing lessons, with special attention to developing the critical thinking habits that characterize the work of mathematicians, statisticians, and scientists.
The Adolescent Literacy Framework can be found alongside the Early Literacy Framework on both ODE’s website and the Oregon Instructional Framework website.
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Implementing OSAS Interim Assessments Professional Learning Course
ODE has partnered with Southern Oregon ESD to create an on-demand asynchronous professional learning course to help teachers, school administrators, and district leaders learn how to implement the OSAS Interim Assessments. The course, Implementing the OSAS Interim Assessments, consists of five one-hour modules delivered through Canvas.
Participants will gain a greater understanding of the following key concepts:
- Understand Oregon's Statewide Assessment System, including interim assessments and formative assessment practices
- Gain a deeper understanding of how to assess the complexity of Oregon’s Academic Content Standards
- Select appropriate interim assessment blocks (IABs) to administer to students in alignment with curriculum goals
- Access data to identify instructional strengths and areas where additional support is needed to maximize student learning
- Build and sustain appropriate uses of the OSAS Interim Assessments within created or existing curriculum maps and pacing guides
The course is available now at no cost to Oregon educators. More information can be found in this flier, which may be used to promote the course in your district. Register using the link above. Contact the ODE Assessment Team with any questions.
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The Mathematics of Opportunity: Beyond Limits
Join math educators from across the U.S. for The Mathematics of Opportunity: Beyond Limits conference, hosted by Just Equations. This event held virtually April 8 – 10, 2025, will delve into innovative approaches and strategies to expand opportunities through mathematics education. Register today to connect with educators and thought leaders and explore how mathematics can break barriers and create new possibilities.
Save the Date: 2025 Oregon Math Leader Conference
The 2025 Oregon Math Leaders conference, Illuminating Pathways: Nurturing the Brilliance Within will explore student-centered mathematics and strategies to create relevant, accessible math pathways. Sessions are for K-12 teachers, university instructors, and math supervisors.
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Save the Date: August 5-7, 2025, in Corvallis, Oregon - hosted by Oregon State University.
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Prepare for Registration: Scholarships are available for OCTM members and TOMT contributors, and all math teachers are encouraged apply. Conference Registration opens on May 1, 2025.
OCTM/ODE Afternoon Learning Sessions – Additional Links
In addition to the monthly Oregon Math Leaders Network meetings occurring in the morning, the Oregon Council of Teachers of Math (OCTM) will be partnering with ODE to offer afternoon learning sessions for teachers. Each month will feature a different topic and speaker available for all teachers and will occur on the third Thursday of the month at 4:00 PM PT unless noted otherwise. Save the dates below and look for registration links on the ODE Math Homepage as speakers and topics are identified throughout the year.
Topic: Bridging the Gap: Inclusive Math Instruction for ALL
Topic: How reading Building Thinking Classrooms by Peter Liljedahl can change your life!
Join the Oregon Math Leaders Network
The Oregon Math Leaders Network is a community of math practitioners who work together to implement and support math teaching and learning in Oregon. Participants include teacher leaders, TOSAs, program administrators, college faculty, and math community partners. If you identify as a math leader, you are invited! The 2024-25 virtual meetings will continue to take place on the third Thursday of each month at 8:30 AM on Zoom.
The 2024-25 virtual meetings will continue to take place on the third Thursday of each month at 8:30 AM on Zoom. Register now for the 2024-25 Virtual OML NetworkMeetings.
Stay Connected!
If you have an opportunity or announcement to share statewide, please contact the ODE Math Team.
The materials contained in the Department of Education’s Oregon Math Educator Update are drawn from both internal and external sources and inclusion of external materials does not necessarily indicate Oregon Department of Education endorsement.
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