Tile Farm at NCTM 2026 in Indianapolis

The NCTM Spring Conference 2026 is coming to Indianapolis this February 11–13, bringing together math educators from across the country to share classroom strategies, practical routines, and engaging approaches to teaching and learning mathematics.

Tile Farm will be hosting two interactive sessions focused on daily number sense routines and creative problem solving. Both sessions are designed to feel like real classroom experiences with engaging discussions and hands-on activities.

If you’re attending NCTM, we’d love for you to join one (or both) sessions!

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Session 1

Tile Talk: A Daily Math Routine to Build Number Sense
Thursday, Feb 12, 2026 | 11:30 AM
JW Ballroom 1

Presenter: Alex Romero

Tile Talk contains several  short, powerful daily routines that invite students to notice, wonder, and talk about mathematics. In this burst session, you’ll experience Tile Talk the same way students do, through active participation and shared sensemaking.

This session highlights how Tile Talk can:

• Build number sense and flexible thinking
• Encourage students to share and refine their ideas
• Support rich mathematical conversation
• Help teachers quickly see what students understand and notice

Expect to participate, reflect, and leave with ideas you can use right away.

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Session 2

Secret Codes and Creative Thinking:Bridging Math and Literacy with Typography and Cryptography
Thursday, Feb 12, 2026 | 2:30 PM
Room 309-3

Presenter: Alex Romero

This session blends math, literacy, and creative thinking through the lens of cryptography, typography, and design. Participants will explore how Crypto Tiles can support problem solving, pattern noticing, and number sense.

You’ll explore:

• How cryptography can be introduced to any classroom K-12
• How cryptography supports logical reasoning and perseverance
• How typography and design invite students into structure and patterns
• Classroom-friendly activities that connect math with literacy

This session is well suited for teachers interested in number sense, problem solving, STEAM and cross-disciplinary learning.