Math Teaching, Refined

ELEMENTARY MATHEMATICS LABORATORY

Join us for a week-long Elementary Mathematics Laboratory (EML) that explores the complexity of teaching and investigates and challenges what it means to use skillful teaching to disrupt patterns of injustice. Together we’ll unpack instructional decisions, examine mathematics content, and interrogate issues of equity in classrooms, as we explore the following question:

How do we engage students in mathematics in ways that value their thinking, broaden their ideas of what it means to do mathematics, and advance justice in classrooms?

Each day, participants will observe elementary students working on mathematics in a live, two-hour class. Participants are part of the planning for the lesson with the teacher team, which includes Deborah Loewenberg Ball, and other participants. After debriefing the lesson, participants choose an afternoon workshop to go deeper in connecting their learning to their particular contexts.

teaching
ELEMENTARY MATHEMATICS LABORATORY
DESIGNED FOR:
  • PK–12 district & instructional leaders
  • PK–12 teachers
  • Teacher educators
  • Policymakers and researchers
  • Anyone interested in education, education advocacy, or exploring the close study of teaching practice

 

 

WHAT TO EXPECT:
  • An in-depth exploration of elementary mathematics teaching
  • Opportunities to view and discuss teaching, lesson plans, and other artifacts
  • Strategies for translating your observations and discussions into practice
  • Regular discussion of the ways that equity shows up in the work of teaching

 

 

LEAVE THE ELEMENTARY MATHEMATICS LAB WITH:
  • Tools and Strategies for Making Mathematics Learnable: Leave with practical tools and considerations for supporting mathematics learning in your own classroom.
  • Confidence in Increasing Mathematical Discourse: Use the strategies and moves you learn at the EML in your own classroom to make space for student ideas and support math discourse.
  • Empowerment to Create a More Equitable Classroom: Leave the EML with new considerations for equitable mathematics teaching and new ways of thinking about equity in mathematics.
  • A Certificate: Walk away with a digital, printable document that certifies your participation and identifies the dates during which you participated.

 

Connect with us to learn more about attending the Elementary Mathematics Laboratory.

What brought you to TeachingWorks today:

July 6–10, 2026

Sarnia, Ontario
Registration Coming Soon
Meet Your Facilitators
Deborah Loewenberg Ball

Deborah Loewenberg Ball

Director
Nicole Garcia

Nicole Garcia

Associate Director
Darrius Robinson

Darrius Robinson

Research & Design Specialist, Mathematics
Testimonials

“EML will change your thinking on how we should be teaching math; when we as teachers make our students thinkers and build their confidence levels in math their skills will transfer to all academic subjects and they will persevere and not feel as though they are not capable of doing things that are difficult.”

“What a wonderful experience full of great teaching moments! I loved seeing the community of learners being built and all of the great math dialogue being used. Enriching the students’ vocabulary by encouraging the use of the correct mathematical terms, such as expression vs. equation, is so important!”

“I appreciated the excellent facilitation that allowed for both individual reflection and lively dialogue.”

“Each session had such thoughtful facilitation and participation from group members. Every discussion was filled with reflection and bravery in sharing authentic ideas and feelings.”

Frequently Asked Questions

You will spend a large portion each day co-planning, observing, and discussing the teaching of elementary students. The remainder of each day will be spent in an interactive facilitated learning session.

A laptop or tablet is required to access digital resources. No other supplies are required.

Anyone interested in education, education advocacy, or exploring the close study of teaching practice is welcome to attend the Elementary Mathematics Laboratory, including teachers, teacher educators, education leaders, policymakers, and researchers.

TeachingWorks reserves the right to cancel in-person, virtual, or hybrid training or workshops before the start. TeachingWorks staff will notify participants of cancellation via e-mail. Participants will be eligible for a full refund of their registration fee. TeachingWorks will not be held responsible for any expenses incurred due to the cancellation of an event, training, or workshop.

For a full refund (100%), participants must submit a written request to cancel or withdraw 30 days prior to the first day of the event (in-person or virtual). Fifty percent (50%) will be refunded for requests received 15 days prior. No refunds will be issued for requests received within seven (7) business days of the first day of the event or failure to submit the required documentation required for participation.