Gallup Middle School hosted a Mathematically Connected Communities MathLab. This unique experience offers students entering grades 5, 7, and Algebra I an opportunity to help teachers improve their instructional practices June 20 - 24.
In the words of a Gallup MathLab student: “Math Lab is fun and educational!”
Locally, approximately 35 students along with 75 teachers from Gallup and surrounding areas attended the MC2 summer program from June 20 - 24.
“I love when MC2 MathLab comes to Gallup each summer, because it is such a powerful learning opportunity,” said Anne Morrison, instructional coach at David Skeet Elementary in Vanderwagon.
She went on to say, “Not only do we get to explore the Math that we will be teaching students, but we also get to see students engaging in the math.”
According to a MathLab student, “Something that made me feel good is that I learned a lot. Something that made me feel proud is that I learned something about decimals.”
During the morning sessions, students learned from MC2 teacher leaders, while the lessons were video streamed live to teacher participants’ observation classrooms.
Students set to enter grade 5 are learning about the application of fractions; students entering grade 7 study ratios and proportions; and the Algebra 1 topic for middle/high school students is conceptual learning of systems of equations and inequalities.
In the afternoon, participants discussed highly effective instructional strategies and math practices that support all students’ learning in mathematics.
“Something that makes me feel really good,” said one student, “is figuring out the distance.”
In addition, teachers enhanced their content knowledge by participating in professional learning based on the same core math concepts that the students are learning. Teachers also collaborated in lesson planning for future implementation in their classrooms.
Georgine Meese, middle school teacher from Gallup-McKinley County Schools, likes that, “MC2 summer lab provides the opportunity to practice Math and learn while collaborating with colleagues from the area and around the state of New Mexico.”
The MathLab program, now in its third year, includes mathematicians from New Mexico State University’s College of Arts and Sciences, MC2 Teacher Leaders and staff, NMSU Creative Media Institute (CMI) faculty, and other New Mexico educators. Funding for MathLab is provided by the US Department of Education, New Mexico Public Education Department (Literacy & Early Childhood and Math & Science Bureaus), and New Mexico Higher Education Departments’ Math-Science Partnership Program.
Gallup-McKinley County Schools provided students with breakfast and lunch throughout the week.
Laverne Yazzie, math teacher at Kirtland Middle School, shared her passion about math by saying, “I understand my students may not enter my class loving math, but I hope they leave, at least, appreciating math. I believe the workshop will help me further my students’ knowledge of mathematics.”
Of course, the students put it best: “Math Lab is awesome and educational. P.S. it is fun.”
Throughout the month of June, other MathLab week-long learning experiences took place in Artesia, Pojoaque, Los Lunas, and Las Cruces.
Photos and story content courtesy of Sara Morales.
For more information about MC2 MathLab, contact Sara Morales at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Kathe Kanim at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or Wanda Bulger-Tamez at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
