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The Digi-Block Summer Institute is a three-day workshop that focuses on increasing teachers’ effectiveness by enriching their understanding of elementary arithmetic concepts through the Digi-Block Program. The goal of the Institute is to develop "Digi-leaders" as resources for schools and school districts that are currently using Digi-Block, are planning to implement Digi-Block, or are planning to facilitate professional development for number sense, place value and operations content knowledge for primary grade teachers. The Digi-Block teaching method and materials provide an intuitive, hands-on understanding of the Base Ten number system and the arithmetic operations, the most critical topics in mathematics for children.
The Summer Institute will help you:
- Gain a deeper understanding of elementary math concepts and the different ways to teach them
- Expand your knowledge of current trends in elementary math
- Formulate strategies to enrich your math curriculum by implementing the Digi-Block Program
- Create an action plan unique to your school or district needs
- Extend your knowledge of the Digi-Block teaching method and how it bridges the gap between conceptual and procedural understanding of mathematics
Featured Speakers Include:
Elon Kohlberg
Digi-Block Inventor and Founder
Dr. Kohlberg, a professor at Harvard Business School, received a Ph.D. in mathematics from Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1973. His research interests include game theory and probability, and he is well-regarded by students for his exceptional teaching methods. Dr. Kohlberg invented the Digi-Block method and founded the company to develop and disseminate materials that present mathematics to children in a clear way. He often refers to Digi-Block as his "third child" and is committed to helping students learn mathematics and enjoy the subject throughout their lives.
Peggy Akin
Author of Above & Beyond with Digi-Block Mathematics; Co-Author of Expeditions to Numeracy
Peggy Akin, founder of Building Math Power, has more than 20 years of experience as a classroom teacher and is the author of several student-centered math curricula for grades K-12. She wrote Above & Beyond with Digi-Block, the only mathematics curriculum written specifically for students with significant cognitive disabilities. Recently, she teamed up with Kim Rimbey to co-author Expeditions to Numeracy, an intervention program teaching K-4 number sense content using Digi-Block. She is passionate about enabling students of all abilities to reach their full potential.Kimberly Rimbey
Co-Author of Expeditions to Numeracy
Kim Rimbey, M.Ed. and Ph.D. candidate, has nearly twenty years experience as an elementary teacher, math specialist, and math program coordinator. She has national board certification* and is a recipient of the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching (2001). She is currently a math specialist and trainer for the Rodel Charitable Foundation of Arizona and is a frequent presenter at national and regional mathematics education conferences. Together with Peggy Akin, she co-authored Expeditions to Numeracy, a place-value-based intervention program teaching K-4 content using Digi-Block.
Alida Anderson
Associate Professor, Widener University
Alida Anderson, Ph.D., is an assistant professor and coordinator of the undergraduate special education program at Widener University in Chester, PA. She is collaborating with the Chester Community Charter School to implement a Response to Intervention (RTI) model of three-tiered math education using Digi-Block methods and programs. Her current research interests include implementing RTI mathematics practices in primary grades, cross-linguistic development, and self-regulated learning in pre-service educators.
Dotty Corbiere
Math Specialist, Meadowbrook School, Weston, MA
Dotty Corbiere, M.Ed., M.A.T., has more than thirty years experience as a classroom teacher and math specialist. She is well regarded for her ability to communicate and model complicated mathematical concepts in straightforward ways to her students. Dotty coordinated the implementation of Digi-Block materials in her school as part of Digi-Block's original pilot program. She has been a Digi-Block enthusiast from Day One! Dotty is a leader in developing innovative instruction techniques using Digi-Block and has consistently advanced her students' mathematical understanding.
Who Should Attend: Math coaches, specialists, PK-6 mentor teachers, district heads, coordinators and facilitators, both with and without Digi-Block experience
Dates: July 16-19, 2008
Location: Harvard University campus in Cambridge, MA
Format: Institute will include lectures, group discussions, and hands-on workshops
Cost: $400 for applications received by May 31, 2008; $500 for applications received after May 31, 2008 (payment is not required at time of application submission)
Also included: Double accommodations at a local hotel, three breakfasts, three lunches, and one dinner
Freebies: Participants will receive a $500 Digi-Block credit toward Digi-Block materials at the close of the Institute.
Enrollment is limited. Please complete the short application for consideration.
Digi-Block 2008 Summer Institute Application
Highlights of Summer Institute 2006
