Ed Zaccaro is a teacher and a popular presenter at math and gifted education conferences around the country. He has taught students of all ages and abilities and has been an advocate for gifted education as a parent, teacher, and school board member. His students will testify to his ability to make math fun and challenging for them as well as his unique sense of humor, which comes through in his classes and workshops.
Ed has an undergraduate degree from Oberlin College, a Masters degree in Gifted Education from the University of Northern Iowa, and is the author of ten math books for mathematically gifted children:
Upper Elementary Challenge Math
Challenge Math for the Elementary and Middle School Student
Primary Grade Challenge Math
Real World Algebra
The Ten Things All Future Mathematicans and Scientists Must Know (But are Rarely Taught)
Becoming a Problem Solving Genius
25 Real Life Math Investigations That Will Astound Teachers and Students
Scammed by Statistics
Now you Know! Volume I & II
For more information on Ed click here.
Staff Development Topics:
Sparking Intellectual Curiosity, Passion and Success in Mathematically Gifted Students
This workshop will give teachers and administrators information that will help them give students the opportunity to develop a passion for mathematics. All three parts of the workshop stress rigor, depth, critical thinking, creative thinking, and problem solving. The workshop will stress real-life math investigations that show students how important math is in the real world. (Recommended for teachers 3rd grade – 8th grade)
Part 1: Nurturing a Mathematical Gift into a Passion
A failure to find mathematics challenging, interesting, or relevant is a significant factor when children lose interest in mathematics. Children who are talented in mathematics must be exposed to material that lights a fire and nurtures their gift. This session will give teachers information that will help them nurture a student’s passion for mathematics.
Part 2: Math — When Will We Ever Use It?
This portion focuses on high interest math investigations that will help students see the importance of learning and understanding mathematics. Students will need insight, intuition, creative problem solving and collaboration to find solutions for each investigation. Included in the session will be: (1) The serious consequences some whalers faced in the 19th century because they did not understand fractions (2) How statistics are manipulated to make the true seem false and the false seem true (3) Math mistakes in the media and their consequences.
Part 3: 12 Math Problem-Solving Strategies That Will Help All Students
Because problem solving can be difficult – even for gifted students – it is important for each student to have a “tool-belt” of problem solving strategies. Many of the strategies presented in this session will force students to change their normal thinking patterns and approach each problem in a different way. You will leave this session with many unique problem-solving techniques that will help all students be more successful in math contests and on tests – including SAT and ACT tests.