Gulf Regional Innovative Teaching Conference

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9:00am CDT

Teaching Middle School Statistics with Gizmos

Tuesday July 14, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT

In this one-hour session, aligned with the Alabama Courses of Study, teachers will explore strategies for using simulations to enhance student engagement and understanding of mathematical concepts in middle school statistics. Participants will learn how to teach students to reason mathematically and develop a deeper understanding of math concepts with simulations. Participants will also discuss the Standards of Mathematical Practice and how to support student learning through critical thinking, questioning, and problem-solving.

Presenters

Tiffany Christian

Professional Learning Manager, ExploreLearning

Tiffany Christian is a Professional Learning Manager with ExploreLearning serving the East Coast region. She has over 23 years of experience in educational technology and public education as a gifted math and science teacher, an academic coach, district K-12 science instructional... Read More →

Tuesday July 14, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 253

Math

Level Middle Teachers

10:00am CDT

Mathematical Practices and Gizmos

Tuesday July 14, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Room 253

This workshop is designed to help participants deepen their understanding of the Standards for Mathematical Practice and learn to develop effective lessons grounded in the standards. These lessons will allow students to go beyond memorizing facts, formulas, and mnemonics and instead focus on developing a deep conceptual understanding of underlying principles. Teachers build skills to engage students and advance mathematical understanding through the Standards of Mathematical Practice. Participants review grade-appropriate content standards and collaborate on potential teaching strategies to achieve student understanding. Participants also work collaboratively to identify mathematical tasks to develop students' capacity to meet the Standards of Mathematical Practice.

Presenters

Tiffany Christian

Professional Learning Manager, ExploreLearning

Tuesday July 14, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 253

Math

Level Middle Teachers, High Teachers

12:00pm CDT

Teaching for Understanding in Mathematics

Tuesday July 14, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT

Room 253

Teaching for Understanding in Math is designed to help participants use Gizmos to help students reason mathematically and develop a deeper understanding of math concepts. The instructor discusses and models best practices for inquiry-based teaching with Gizmos in mathematics. Teachers learn how to use Gizmos to develop effective mathematics instruction that strengthens students' understanding of mathematics.

Presenters

Tiffany Christian

Professional Learning Manager, ExploreLearning

Tuesday July 14, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT
Room 253

Math

Level Middle Teachers, High Teachers

1:00pm CDT

Exploring Gizmos: A Beginner's Guide to Interactive Simulations

Tuesday July 14, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Room 253

Are you new to Gizmos and curious about how interactive simulations can transform your math instruction? This workshop is designed to introduce educators to the ExploreLearning Gizmos platform and demonstrate how simulations can make abstract concepts concrete, foster student engagement, and support inquiry-based learning.
Participants will learn how to navigate the Gizmos platform, explore key features, and engage in hands-on activities that model how Gizmos can support math standards and instructional goals.

Presenters

Tiffany Christian

Professional Learning Manager, ExploreLearning

Tuesday July 14, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Room 253

Math

Level Middle Teachers, High Teachers

2:00pm CDT

Teaching High School Statistics with Gizmos

Tuesday July 14, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

Room 253

In this one-hour session, aligned with the Alabama Courses of Study, teachers will explore strategies for using simulations to enhance student engagement and understanding of mathematical concepts in high school statistics. Participants will learn how to teach students to reason mathematically and develop a deeper understanding of math concepts with simulations. Participants will also discuss the Standards of Mathematical Practice and how to support student learning through critical thinking, questioning, and problem-solving.

Presenters