Connecting Arithmetic to Algebra

Connecting Arithmetic to Algebra

Author: Susan Jo Russell

Publisher: Heinemann Educational Books

Published: 2011

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9780325041919

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"To truly engage in mathematics is to become curious and intrigued about regularities and patterns, then describe and explain them. A focus on the behavior of the operations allows students starting in the familiar territory of number and computation to progress to true engagement in the discipline of mathematics." -Susan Jo Russell, Deborah Schifter, and Virginia Bastable Algebra readiness: it's a topic of concern that seems to pervade every school district. How can we better prepare elementary students for algebra? More importantly, how can we help all children, not just those who excel in math, become ready for later instruction? The answer lies not in additional content, but in developing a way of thinking about the mathematics that underlies both arithmetic and algebra. Connecting Arithmetic to Algebra invites readers to learn about a crucial component of algebraic thinking: investigating the behavior of the operations. Nationally-known math educators Susan Jo Russell, Deborah Schifter, and Virginia Bastable and a group of collaborating teachers describe how elementary teachers can shape their instruction so that students learn to: *notice and describe consistencies across problems *articulate generalizations about the behavior of the operations *develop mathematical arguments based on representations to explain why such generalizations are or are not true. Through such work, students become familiar with properties and general rules that underlie computational strategies-including those that form the basis of strategies used in algebra-strengthening their understanding of grade-level content and at the same time preparing them for future studies. Each chapter is illustrated by lively episodes drawn from the classrooms of collaborating teachers in a wide range of settings. These provide examples of posing problems, engaging students in productive discussion, using representations to develop mathematical arguments, and supporting both students with a wide range of learning profiles. Staff Developers: Available online, the Course Facilitator's Guide provides math leaders with tools and resources for implementing a Connecting Arithmetic to Algebra workshop or preservice course. For information on the PD course offered through Mount Holyoke College, download the flyer.


Reaching Algebra Readiness (RAR)

Reaching Algebra Readiness (RAR)

Author: Tony G. Williams

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2011-10-30

Total Pages: 173

ISBN-13: 9460915094

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Research has shown that algebra is the doorway and gateway for future success of students in many aspects, including high school graduation, attending and success in college, and professional earning power. And the most important key to students’ success in algebra is their readiness. This book is not only a program that addresses algebra readiness; it is also a fundamental reform effort, based on the National Mathematics Advisory Panel’s (NMAP’s) Final Report (spring, 2008). The book approaches mathematic skills deficiencies on an individual basis, much like an IEP addresses the individual needs of a student with disabilities. The Reaching Algebra Readiness (RAR) process consists of four components: (1) Diagnostic, assessing student’s mastery of the skills needed to take algebra; (2) Prescriptive, developing an individualized plan to address specific math deficiencies; (3) Intervention, utilizing tools and resources (parental involvement, effective teaching strategies, etc), to improve students’ mathematics skills; and (4) Drills and Effective Teachings Strategies, mathematics is a discipline and, simply, there is no way of avoiding practice and drilling in reaching algebra readiness, which can be enhanced significantly by implementing proven effective teaching strategies. The Reaching Algebra Readiness (RAR) process and the related materials presented in this book will be revolutionary in helping all students acquire the math skills needed for success in algebra and beyond. This book is a must-guide for math teachers, parents who home school, parents who are looking for solutions, and educators pursuing fundamental education reforms.


Classroom-Ready Rich Math Tasks, Grades 4-5

Classroom-Ready Rich Math Tasks, Grades 4-5

Author: Beth McCord Kobett

Publisher: Corwin Press

Published: 2021-04-14

Total Pages: 348

ISBN-13: 1071841068

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Detailed plans for helping elementary students experience deep mathematical learning Do you work tirelessly to make your math lessons meaningful, challenging, accessible, and engaging? Do you spend hours you don’t have searching for, adapting, and creating tasks to provide rich experiences for your students that supplement your mathematics curriculum? Help has arrived! Classroom Ready-Rich Math Tasks for Grades 4-5 details more than 50 research- and standards-aligned, high-cognitive-demand tasks that will have your students doing deep-problem-based learning. These ready-to-implement, engaging tasks connect skills, concepts and practices, while encouraging students to reason, problem-solve, discuss, explore multiple solution pathways, connect multiple representations, and justify their thinking. They help students monitor their own thinking and connect the mathematics they know to new situations. In other words, these tasks allow students to truly do mathematics! Written with a strengths-based lens and an attentiveness to all students, this guide includes: • Complete task-based lessons, referencing mathematics standards and practices, vocabulary, and materials • Downloadable planning tools, student resource pages, and thoughtful questions, and formative assessment prompts • Guidance on preparing, launching, facilitating, and reflecting on each task • Notes on access and equity, focusing on students’ strengths, productive struggle, and distance or alternative learning environments. With concluding guidance on adapting or creating additional rich tasks for your students, this guide will help you give all of your students the deepest, most enriching and engaging mathematics learning experience possible.


190 Ready-to-Use Activities That Make Math Fun!

190 Ready-to-Use Activities That Make Math Fun!

Author: George Watson

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2003-07-03

Total Pages: 300

ISBN-13: 0787969982

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This unique resource provides 190 high-interest, ready-to-use activities to help students master basic math skills— including whole numbers, decimals, fractions, percentages, money concepts, geometry and measurement, charts and graphs, and pre-algebra— for use with students of varying ability levels. All activities are classroom-tested and presented in a variety of entertaining formats, such as puzzles, crosswords, matching, word/number searches, number substitutions, and more. Plus, many activities include "Quick Access Information" flags providing helpful information on key concepts.


Discrete Mathematics

Discrete Mathematics

Author: Oscar Levin

Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Published: 2016-08-16

Total Pages: 342

ISBN-13: 9781534970748

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This gentle introduction to discrete mathematics is written for first and second year math majors, especially those who intend to teach. The text began as a set of lecture notes for the discrete mathematics course at the University of Northern Colorado. This course serves both as an introduction to topics in discrete math and as the "introduction to proof" course for math majors. The course is usually taught with a large amount of student inquiry, and this text is written to help facilitate this. Four main topics are covered: counting, sequences, logic, and graph theory. Along the way proofs are introduced, including proofs by contradiction, proofs by induction, and combinatorial proofs. The book contains over 360 exercises, including 230 with solutions and 130 more involved problems suitable for homework. There are also Investigate! activities throughout the text to support active, inquiry based learning. While there are many fine discrete math textbooks available, this text has the following advantages: It is written to be used in an inquiry rich course. It is written to be used in a course for future math teachers. It is open source, with low cost print editions and free electronic editions.