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• Will This Be On The Test? Part 1 (SABES Math & Numeracy PD Team)

  • When
    3 Dec 2025
  •  
    2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

  Overview: Standardized testing, whether it is for high school equivalency or measuring student gains, is a major concern in adult numeracy classes. It can be tempting to "teach to the test" in the hopes of getting students ready to get a passing score as quickly and painlessly as possible. However, making test preparation the main focus of instruction does not create lasting learning and often is not even effective in achieving passing scores or demonstrating gains. It is possible to teach conceptually and do explicit test preparation at the same time. When students get exposure to—and practice with—standardized test questions in a context that prioritizes conceptual understanding and flexible thinking, they will be more prepared to achieve test scores that fully reflect their skills and understandings.  

  Audience: This professional development activity/course is designed for ABE and HSE teachers at all levels of math ability and comfort

  Description: In this workshop, you will be introduced to Test Talks, an instructional routine for building student confidence, understanding, flexibility, and familiarity with standardized test questions. You will experience Test Talks as a learner with a variety of multiple choice test-style questions on a range of topics. In addition, you will get access to a resource containing a bank of test questions to use with Test Talks. 

  Part 2 of this workshop will be held on December 10.

  Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this professional development activity/course, you will be able to:

  • Facilitate a Test Talk
  • Reason visually and conceptually about test questions on a variety of topics
  • Use test questions to teach conceptually and equitably
  • Use the "Will This Be on the Test?" resource packet

  Presenter(s) / Facilitator(s): Aren Lew

  Learn More and REGISTER here

  
  

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• Will This Be On The Test? Part 2 (SABES Math & Numeracy PD Team)

  • When
    10 Dec 2025
  •  
    2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

  Overview: Standardized testing, whether it is for high school equivalency or measuring student gains, is a major concern in adult numeracy classes. It can be tempting to "teach to the test" in the hopes of getting students ready to get a passing score as quickly and painlessly as possible. However, making test preparation the main focus of instruction does not create lasting learning and often is not even effective in achieving passing scores or demonstrating gains. It is possible to teach conceptually and do explicit test preparation at the same time. When students get exposure to—and practice with—standardized test questions in a context that prioritizes conceptual understanding and flexible thinking, they will be more prepared to achieve test scores that fully reflect their skills and understandings.  

  Audience: This professional development activity/course is designed for ABE and HSE teachers at all levels of math ability and comfort

  Description: In this workshop, you will be introduced to Test Talks, an instructional routine for building student confidence, understanding, flexibility, and familiarity with standardized test questions. You will experience Test Talks as a learner with a variety of multiple choice test-style questions on a range of topics. In addition, you will get access to a resource containing a bank of test questions to use with Test Talks. 

  Part 1 of this workshop will be held on December 3.

  Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this professional development activity/course, you will be able to:

  • Facilitate a Test Talk
  • Reason visually and conceptually about test questions on a variety of topics
  • Use test questions to teach conceptually and equitably
  • Use the "Will This Be on the Test?" resource packet

  Presenter(s) / Facilitator(s): Aren Lew

  Learn More and REGISTER here

  
  

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• Reasoning: The Essential Foundation for Building Students’ Understanding of Mathematics (Forum for Equity in Elementary Mathematics Speaker Series)

  • When
    10 Dec 2025
  •  
    7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

  
  

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• ANN Racial Justice in Math Education Committee Meeting

  • When
    16 Dec 2025
  •  
    3:00 PM - 4:30 PM

  The ANN Racial Justice in Math Education committee's monthly meeting is open to all ANN members. Please join us!

  The ANN Racial Equity in Math Education committee meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month. 

  Our Next Meeting is: December 16, 2025

  • 12:00-1:30 Pacific
  • 1:00-2:30 Mountain
  • 2:00-3:30 Central
  • 3:00-4:30 Eastern

  If you'd like to attend, please register in advance for this meeting:

  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUqc-ihpzooGdLdQyV2o9KbkOQ8X9TYExlb

  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. 

  If you are interested in joining our committee, or have any questions, please contact Aren Lew & Mark Trushkowsky. 

  
  

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• Awaken Learners’ Potential: Strategies for Transforming Math Identities for the Test and Beyond (COABE webinar)

  • When
    12 Jan 2026
  •  
    2:00 PM

  REGISTER HERE 

  Description: Uncover the transformative role of mathematical identity in learning and cognition. Learn practical strategies to empower math learners, foster confidence, and cultivate a positive math identity. Attend this webinar to gain tools to reshape learners’ negative perceptions, improve assessment outcomes, and develop a positive mathematical identity for lifelong learning.

  Presenter: Cynthia Bell

  Cynthia Bell, MA, director of Numeracy & Workforce Development Services at the Literacy Assistance Center, provides professional development for adult basic education and high school equivalency instructors, focusing on standards-based numeracy and math instruction, integrated curriculum design, and digital resiliency. Bell co-authored the book, Teaching Adults: A HiSET Exam Resource Book; has presented at numerous conferences; and is an active board member of National Coalition for Literacy (NCL), the Association of Adult Literacy Professional Developers (AALPD), and the Adult Numeracy Network (ANN).

  This is a free COABE live webinar, hosted by CBL Coaching for Better Learning

  
  

  
  

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• Math Without Fear: Fostering Algebraic Thinking And Growth Mindset In The Adult Learner Classroom (SABES Math & Numeracy PD Team)

  • When
    22 Jan 2026
  •  
    2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

  Overview: Many adult learners walk into math classrooms burdened by past failures, self-doubt, and a belief that they simply “can’t do math.” In this interactive and empowering workshop, participants will explore practical strategies for reducing math anxiety and cultivating a growth mindset among adult learners. 

  Audience: This professional development activity/course is designed for adult education teachers at all levels of math ability and comfort

  Description: In this 90-minute workshop, we will use real-world examples, algebraic tasks, and reflective dialogue to examine how to create inclusive learning environments that foster curiosity, confidence, and deep conceptual understanding. You will engage in hands-on activities and discussion protocols that model how to facilitate rich mathematical discourse and promote resilience and agency in learners at all levels. By the end of this session, you will be equipped with tools to shift mindsets, elevate student voice, and transform math from a subject of fear into a space of possibility.

  Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this professional development activity/course, you will be able to:

  • Explore strategies to reduce math anxiety and foster a growth mindset in students, empowering them to approach algebraic concepts with confidence
  • Engage in hands-on activities to create a supportive and inclusive classroom environment that encourages student exploration of mathematical ideas
    
  • Learn practical tools for effective questioning and discussion techniques that promote student confidence, resilience, and success in math

  Presenter / Facilitator: Elzora Watkins

  Learn More and REGISTER here

  
  

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• Using Insights about Student Thinking to Shape Classroom Experiences (Forum for Equity in Elementary Mathematics Speaker Series)

  • When
    4 Feb 2026
  •  
    7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

  
  

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• Learning What Students Know: Using Student Work For Formative Assessment (SABES Math & Numeracy PD Team)

  • When
    10 Feb 2026
  •  
    2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

  Overview: Formative assessment is the ongoing work of understanding how your students are understanding what you are teaching. While there are many ways to do formative assessment, one that is often readily accessible is looking at student work. There is a lot that can be learned by analyzing how students illustrate or describe their thinking—more than just a tally of what they got right or wrong. Formative assessment informs your instructional decisions so that your teaching can meet students where they are and help them move forward.

  Audience: This professional development activity/course is designed for ABE and HSE teachers at all levels of math ability and comfort as well as ELA and ESOL teachers.

  Description: In this 1.5-hour online workshop, you will learn a frame for analyzing student work and practice using it with real examples of student work. You will also learn about content knowledge for teaching and how it differs from other kinds of math content knowledge. Although this workshop focuses on analyzing students’ math work, you can apply the techniques in ELA and ESOL assessment as well. You will leave with strategies for using student work to make instructional decisions and ideas about how to continue your professional learning.

  Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this professional development activity/course, you will be able to:

  • Use the DEN process (Describe, Evaluate, Next Steps) to analyze student work
  • Distinguish content knowledge from content knowledge for teaching

  Presenter / Facilitator: Aren Lew

  Learn More and REGISTER here

  
  

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• Teaching Word Problems to Beginning Math Learners, Part 1 (SABES Math & Numeracy PD)

  • When
    3 Mar 2026
  •  
    2:30 PM - 4:00 PM

  Overview: Many students struggle with word problems, even if they are competent at reading and calculating. What makes word problems so challenging? How can we help our students build the skills they need to be successful?

  This two-part online workshop will break down different language, math, and cognitive skills involved when students tackle word problems. This can help you more accurately diagnose what individual gaps students have when they are struggling with word problems. This workshop will also help you plan your units to make sure you are intentionally addressing the variety of skills students need to be successful when working on them.

  The strategies in this course can be used for students studying math at any level, but the examples focus on beginning math learners (GLE 2–4), who may require more intentional scaffolding and support.

  Audience: This professional development activity/course is designed for ABE teachers and administration at all levels of math ability and comfort

  Description: There are two, 90-minute online workshops in this training series. During the trainings, you will experience and reflect on different word problem tasks, share teaching strategies that you already use, and see examples of materials and processes for teaching math vocabulary, grammar, problem types, and problem solving.

  Part 2 of this training will be March 10

  Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this professional development activity/course, you will be able to:

  • Support students to overcome non-mathematical barriers to reading comprehension
    
  • Explain the importance of operation sense for solving word problems
  • Teach accurate definitions of math vocabulary
  • Teach grammar for specific phrases to help students understand mathematical relationships
    
  • Teach problem types to help students model word problems with diagrams and mathematical operations
  • Teach a problem-solving process and encourage students to self-reflect

  Presenter / Facilitator: Mark Trushkowsky

  Learn more and REGISTER here

  
  

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• Culturally Sustaining UDL: Centering Belonging and Design in Mathematics (Forum for Equity in Elementary Mathematics Speaker Series)

  • When
    3 Mar 2026
  •  
    7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

  
  

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• BeCALM Measurement and Data: Curriculum for Beginning Math Learners (SABES Math & Numeracy PD Team)

  • When
    4 Mar 2026
  •  
    2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

  Overview: BeCALM (Beginning Curriculum for Adults Learning Math) contains remote-ready units for adult learners who need math instruction at beginning levels (GLE 2-4). Adults who are beginning math learners can sometimes find themselves left behind by high school equivalency curriculum or stuck trying to memorize their way through calculations they don’t understand. What these learners need is a conceptually focused, cognitively rigorous curriculum that supports them in developing number and operation sense.

  This online workshop will introduce a curriculum specifically designed to help beginning-level math learners learn measurement concepts and skills and begin to collect and analyze data. This resource was designed for in-person classes and includes a student packet, teacher’s guide, and other downloadable materials. Units include application activities in the context of consumer literacy.

  Audience: This professional development activity/course is designed for ABE teachers and administrators at all levels of math ability and comfort

  Description: During the workshop, you will be introduced to the materials and will hear recommendations for their use. You will explore some of the math content in the packet, including building the concept of a measurement unit, the use of measurement tools, data collection, and estimation of length using benchmarks.

  Note: Many of the math activities in this unit are adapted from Investigations Grade 3: Curriculum Unit: "From Paces to Feet." They were adapted for use with adult students. The math content in this unit is designed for students with a math level GLE 2–4 (CCRSAE Math level A–B). The materials are also appropriate for students with limited literacy levels (Reading level GLE 2+).

  The BeCALM Measurement and Data materials can be found here.

  Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this professional development activity/course, you will be able to:

  • Gain familiarity with the materials and some of the activities in the packet
  • Learn how beginning math learners develop early measurement concepts and skills
  • Facilitate a data collection activity for beginning math students
  • Help students estimate measurements using benchmarks

  Learn more and REGISTER here

  
  

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• Teaching Word Problems to Beginning Math Learners, Part 2 (SABES Math & Numeracy PD)

  • When
    10 Mar 2026
  •  
    2:30 PM - 4:00 PM

  Overview: Many students struggle with word problems, even if they are competent at reading and calculating. What makes word problems so challenging? How can we help our students build the skills they need to be successful?

  This two-part online workshop will break down different language, math, and cognitive skills involved when students tackle word problems. This can help you more accurately diagnose what individual gaps students have when they are struggling with word problems. This workshop will also help you plan your units to make sure you are intentionally addressing the variety of skills students need to be successful when working on them.

  The strategies in this course can be used for students studying math at any level, but the examples focus on beginning math learners (GLE 2–4), who may require more intentional scaffolding and support.

  Audience: This professional development activity/course is designed for ABE teachers and administration at all levels of math ability and comfort

  Description: There are two, 90-minute online workshops in this training series. During the trainings, you will experience and reflect on different word problem tasks, share teaching strategies that you already use, and see examples of materials and processes for teaching math vocabulary, grammar, problem types, and problem solving.

  Part 1 of this training will be March 3

  Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this professional development activity/course, you will be able to:

  • Support students to overcome non-mathematical barriers to reading comprehension
    
  • Explain the importance of operation sense for solving word problems
  • Teach accurate definitions of math vocabulary
  • Teach grammar for specific phrases to help students understand mathematical relationships
    
  • Teach problem types to help students model word problems with diagrams and mathematical operations
  • Teach a problem-solving process and encourage students to self-reflect

  Presenter / Facilitator: Mark Trushkowsky

  Learn more and REGISTER here

  
  

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• Using Visual Mathematics With English Learners: Percents And Ratios (SABES Math & Numeracy PD)

  • When
    12 Mar 2026
  •  
    10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

  Overview: When students work with visual models that they can see, manipulate, or create, it opens visual pathways in the brain that provide added meaning to the area of the brain that processes abstract numbers. In this workshop, we will work with visual representations of percents and ratios and discuss how this enables students at multiple levels of math and language proficiency to better understand abstract mathematical concepts.

  Audience: This professional development activity/course is designed for ESOL and HSE teachers at all levels of math ability and comfort

  Description: In this interactive, 90-minute workshop, you will construct understanding of percents by deconstructing an image and creating your own visual model and math question. You will participate in a survey, and the data collected from the survey will be used to reason about ratios in a real-world context. You will be sketching, using virtual manipulatives, and sharing problem-solving strategies. You will leave with a toolkit of practical strategies for teaching ratios and percents using visual models and student-generated data. The resources available after the session can be used in a virtual or in-person classroom with both English learners and high school equivalency students. 

  Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this professional development activity/course, you will be able to:

  • Explain how visual mathematics can unlock learning potential
  • Collect real-world data and use it to communicate math concepts
  • Apply visual strategies to teach ratio and percent concepts

  Presenter / Facilitator: Patricia Helmuth

  Learn more and REGISTER here

  
  

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• Mathematics and Language: Recommendations for Equitable and Effective Math Instruction for Multilingual Learners (Forum for Equity in Elementary Mathematics Speaker Series)

  • When
    31 Mar 2026
  •  
    7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

  
  

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• Mathematics and Language: Recommendations for Equitable and Effective Math Instruction for Multilingual Learners (Forum for Equity in Elementary Mathematics Speaker Series)

  • When
    29 Apr 2026
  •  
    7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

  
  

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• BeCALM Benchmark Fractions: Curriculum For Beginning Math Learners (SABES Math & Numeracy PD Team)

  • When
    6 May 2026
  •  
    2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

  Overview: Adults who are beginning math learners can sometimes find themselves left behind by HSE curriculum or stuck trying to memorize their way through calculations they don’t understand. BeCALM (Beginning Curriculum for Adults Learning Math) was designed to be a conceptually focused, cognitively rigorous curriculum that supports beginning math learners in developing math concepts and skills. 

  This 1.5-hour online workshop will introduce a curriculum specifically designed to help beginning-level math learners develop part-whole reasoning with benchmark fractions. This resource can be used for remote or in-person classes and includes a student packet, teacher’s guide, and other downloadable materials. Units include application activities in the context of financial literacy that integrate TSTM (Teaching Skills That Matter) identified skills. 

  Audience: This professional development activity/course is designed for ABE teachers teaching math at GLE levels 2-4 and administrators at all levels of math ability and comfort

  Description: Benchmark fractions (and their decimal and percent equivalents) are fractions that are easy to visualize and calculate, such as one-half and one-fourth. Benchmark fractions are a powerful way to develop number sense in beginning math learners and give them a way to reason about other, less familiar fractions.  During the workshop, you will be introduced to the materials in the BeCALM Benchmark Fractions packet and will hear recommendations for their use. 

  Download the BeCALM Benchmark Fraction materials here.

  Note: Many of the math activities in this unit are adapted from EMPower Plus Using Benchmarks. They were adapted for beginning level learners and made accessible for remote teaching. The math content in this unit is designed for students with a math level GLE 2-4 (CCRSAE Math level A-B). The materials are also appropriate for students with limited literacy levels (Reading level GLE 2+).

  Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this professional development activity/course, you will be able to:

  • Gain familiarity with the materials and some of the activities in the packet
  • Identify which fraction concepts are important for beginning math learners
  • Introduce part-whole reasoning with the benchmark fractions one-half and one-fourth
  • Use benchmark fractions and visual models, such as number lines and circle graphs, to estimate less-familiar fractions

  Presenter / Facilitator: Jean Oviatt-Rothman

  Learn more and REGISTER here

  
  

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