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Welcome to the 2019 MidSchoolMath National Conference! #MidSchoolMath2019

Looking for Session Handouts? Check out the Conference Dropbox at http://bit.ly/MidSchoolMath2019! Additional materials will be added as they are provided. 

Thank you for joining us in Santa Fe for our 6th Annual Conference! If you selected your sessions prior to Sunday, 2/24, a print copy of your personalized schedule will be provided in your attendee packet. You’ll also get a daily agenda email from SCHED!

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Back To Schedule
Friday, March 1 • 1:25pm - 2:10pm
The Square Abacus: An Introduction

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Limited Capacity seats available
This session will introduce a modified abacus and accompanying activities. We will be addressing the special features of this abacus and physically modeling major concepts of middle school math.

The Square Abacus (SA) is a modern twist on an ancient device that is educationally and developmentally appropriate and fully supportive of STEM education. The primary mission of The Square Abacus Session (TSAS) is to promote and encourage an appreciation of mathematics through the use and study of the Square Abacus™ (pat. pend.), a modified student abacus/counting frame, and it's corresponding Practicus© Activities Manual. With it's field of beads oriented in a perfect square, we will model accurate "square" numbers, angles, area models, scaling, other algebraic/geometric principles, and, all operations of whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percents, etc...

TSAS proposes solutions associated with computation skills, student achievement, technology/electronic devices, engagement, confidence, fluency and mastery.

Many abacus/counting frames are used mainly for the four operations of arithmetic, place value and other basic concepts. They vary in the arrangement and total number of beads, based on efficiency and use. The SA is capable of modeling a quality and quantity of concepts that few other manual mathematical tools can. During lessons/meetings/seminars, a "new" or different way to demonstrate a concept is often shared, sometimes involving more than one device. With the simplicity and versatility of movable graph paper, the SA is a solution-oriented manipulative for the elementary and middle school classrooms.

Affiliate/Sponsor Session: The Square Abacus is available for purchase for classrooms, schools and districts.
Speakers
avatar for Eric LeMasters

Eric LeMasters

Middle School Math Teacher, The Square Abacus Co.
I began my teaching career as adjunct faculty teaching math and science courses at the community college level for two years.  I then taught math and science for six years at a Title I middle school, followed by 5 years as an elementary and middle school math teacher in private school... Read More →

Friday March 1, 2019 1:25pm - 2:10pm MST
Milagro
  Sessions: Affiliate/Sponsor
  • MATH STANDARDS & PRACTICES Area models involving area & perimeter, scaled area models & dimensions, and the Pythagorean theorem
  • WHAT WILL ATTENDEES GAIN? Attendees will receive an introduction to The Square Abacus and it's special features.
  • BEYOND "STAND & DELIVER" The 'sample' lesson(s) for participants will be about 25-30 minutes.

Attendees (21)