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Eric.ed.gov – Upgrading High School Math: A Look at Three Transition Courses. CPRE Policy Briefs.

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: Lower-level mathematics courses often become a dead-end for mathematics course-taking among low-achieving students. However, several new upgraded mathematics courses reflecting emerging standards in mathematics are improving students’ chances of taking college preparatory mathematics and raising student achievement. California and New York have created “transition courses” to serve as a bridge between basic and college preparatory mathematics. This document focuses on the nature of instruction in transition mathematics courses, the consequences of student placement in the new transition courses, and the linkages among course type, course content, and students achievement. The findings presented here are based on both qualitative and quantitative data gathered from seven high school in San Diego and San Francisco in California and in Buffalo and Rochester in New York. Schools were chosen which had… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – A First-Grade Math Lesson with David Burchfield. School Development Library. [Multimedia.]

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: Items in the North Central Regional Educational Laboratory’s (NCREL) School Development Library series are multimedia packages consisting of print, video, audio, and CD-ROM resources designed to support educators in their efforts to improve classroom instruction. This particular set consists of a 35-minute video and a printed booklet focusing on David Burchfield, a first-grade teacher. The video of his classroom shows him using a variety of cognitive instructional practices including an emphasis on the problem-solving process, group learning, and laboratory activities during a math lesson. It is actual footage of a first-grade classroom and is divided into 16 events, each division representing a change in the activities or flow of the classroom. The text of the booklet is based on spoken comments made by various people as they… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – A Fifth-Grade Math Lesson with Linda Hallenbeck. School Development Library. [Multimedia.]

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: Items in the North Central Regional Educational Laboratory’s (NCREL) School Development Library series are multimedia packages consisting of print, video, audio, and CD-ROM resources designed to support educators in their efforts to improve classroom instruction. This particular set consists of a 40-minute video and a printed booklet focusing on Linda Hallenbeck, a fifth-grade teacher. The video of her classroom shows her teaching a math lesson on probability incorporating coin flipping, spinner spinning, and die throwing. The lesson is a combination of whole group and small group hands-on, collaborative activities. The teacher asks probing questions to help children formulate their ideas about probability and encourages the children to express their reasoning and to listen carefully to each other. The lesson emphasizes that mathematics is about solving everyday, real-life… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – High School Math as the Critical Filter in the Job Market.

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: Two limited studies are reported: (1) a pilot test of sex differences in high school math preparation, and (2) a pilot study of attitudes toward mathematics. The first was a random sample of 81 college applicants (42 boys, 39 girls) which showed that 57 percent of the boys took four years of high school mathematics compared to 8 percent of the girls. The second study summarizes responses on a questionnaire distributed to 38 upper division social science students. Results showed a statistically significant relationship between social support from teachers, parents, and peers and the pursuit of advanced mathematics courses in high school, and between social support and performance. Responses to the survey question of factors influencing student interest and aptitude for mathematics are included. (DT) Link til… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – Alternative Assessments in Math and Science: Moving toward a Moving Target. A Joint Study.

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: Given the restructuring of curriculum and instruction and the changing state of assessment in Virginia and nationally, a study group of 22 Virginia teachers from elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools throughout the state chose to examine and revise their assessment practices. They wanted to reflect changes in thinking and practice in teaching that include active learning, cooperative learning, and critical thinking strategies. After 6 months of developing and implementing alternative assessments in their classrooms, study group members concluded that implementation strategies should include: (1) planning assessment as instruction is planned; (2) having a partner with whom to share ideas; (3) developing generic rubrics; (4) expecting to learn by trial and error; (5) attempting student peer assessment; and (6) using cooperative grouping for completing assessment tasks.… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – Gender Equity in High School Math: A Study of Female Participation and Achievement.

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: This survey of 316 Precalculus, Calculus AB, and Calculus BC students from markedly different socioeconomic levels in four district high schools in San Antonio, Texas, looked at factors that have traditionally caused women to avoid mathematics, and attempted to discover which of them continue to influence women’s decisions to reject the discipline. The questionnaire contained 25 questions based on assumptions drawn from literature on the subject. Reported and discussed are all differences in gender opinion above 9 percentage points, even though a difference of 11.4 percentage points would begin to indicate a statistically significant result. Findings where such differences occur showed that: (1) mathematics enrollment favored men, especially in BC Calculus; (2) female respondents more frequently perceived no bias in teacher expectations; (3) female students less frequently… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – Using Accelerated Math To Enhance Student Achievement in High School Mathematics Courses.

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: The purpose of this study is to compare the results achieved when a computer-managed learning program is used in high school mathematics classes with the results achieved when traditional teaching strategies are utilized. The control groups for Pre-algebra, Algebra 1, and Geometry received traditional classroom instruction. The intervention groups received individualized instruction as their progress through the predetermined objectives were assessed and managed using a computer software package. Following the pre-tests, 3 and a half months of treatment and post-tests, major differences were found. The intervention group showed significantly larger gains in achievement than the control group. Changes in student attitudes were also observed. Computer-managed learning systems appeared to be an effective method for teaching mathematics to high school students. Appended are: Student Surveys; Parent Surveys; Accelerated… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – Literature Connections in Six Current Math Series for Grades K-2.

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standard #2 (communicating aids students to clarify their thinking) emphasizes that reading, writing, discussing, and listening to mathematics are all vital parts of learning and using math. Six of the 12 math series chosen for California’s elementary program list titles of children’s trade books useful for supplementing lessons. A random selection of trade books listed in the six series was made to determine whether or not the book qualified as literature for classroom use. From this selection, a recommended literary book can be chosen for each of 12 different math topics for the early grades. A sample lesson plan could help integrate V. Williams’”A Chair for My Mother” into the second-grade math curriculum. Some literary selections from the primary grades… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – Fun with Math: Real-Life Problem Solving for Grades 4-8.

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: This book was developed for teachers, youth group leaders, after-school child care providers, and parents, who may not have the time or the expertise to develop strategies for preparing students to be effective problem solvers. The content is organized in a pyramid style to make it easy to locate and grasp the information provided. Information on effective strategies for teaching general real-life problem solving is provided first. Similar information specific to real-life math problem solving follows. Together these two sections lay a foundation to prepare teachers to successfully deliver the learning activities subsequently provided. The Learning Activities section is organized by strand as identified by the Ohio Mathematics Proficiency Outcomes. Each section begins with an index of the activities included in that strand. Appendices provide additional details… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – Math Notes. The Clipboard Connection. Chapter I Resource Center Curriculum and Instruction.

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: The “Clipboard Connection” is a methodology to facilitate the rapid circulation of relevant pre-existing materials from Chapter 1 Technical Assistance Centers of relevant materials from Chapter 1 Technical Assistance Centers (TACs) to their clients, teachers of educationally disadvantaged children in resource centers. Each “Clipboard Connection” consists of a lead sheet summarizing the contents of the materials (reprints of journal articles, brochures, etc.) to be distributed, and the materials themselves. This compilation focuses on techniques for effective mathematics instruction. The following reprints are included: (1) “Teaching Mathematics and Thinking,” prepared by Edward A. Silver and Margaret S. Smith (Arithmetic Teacher, volume 37, number 8, April 1990); (2) “Using Writing Activities to Reinforce Mathematics Instruction,” by David M. Davison and Daniel L. Pearce (Arithmetic Teacher, volume 35, number 8,… Continue Reading