The main resource available in schools for teaching
algebra and fostering algebraic thinking are curriculum materials. Throughout
this course you are learning about a variety of perspectives to teaching and
learning algebra and algebraic thinking. The purpose of this curriculum project
is to provide an opportunity for you to:
1) investigate & critique the approach to algebra and algebraic thinking in
a textbook,
2) compare and contrast the approach to algebra and algebraic thinking used in
two or three textbooks,
3) research the effectiveness of textbook materials written for middle school
or Algebra 1 (or Course 1 in integrated high school curricula) on
students’ achievement,
4) research the differences/similarities among approaches to algebra in
different countries as compared to the US (based on international comparison
studies of learning, teaching or curriculum),
5) research the effectiveness of professional development efforts for the
success of students' learning in algebra with reform-based curricula, or
6) design your own study of interest related to curriculum materials (for example: How well do the NCSCOS objectives related to algebraic thinking across grades 6-Algebra I match with objectives from other states, expectations on NAEP & TIMSS tests, recommendations from NCTM, etc? Compare/contrast and critique current practices in several high schools on how they implement and use text materials to achieve the NCSOCS.)
You may work by yourself or in groups of 2 or 3 on this project. Of course, the
depth and breadth of the expected outcome of your project will be dependent on
the task you choose (1-5 above) and the number of people in your group. You
are expected to share your findings in a poster session and an executive summary
(5 page Maximum plus references) of your findings to share with classmates.
Useful Websites to get
started for finding research:
ShowMe Center (Showcasing Middle School Reform
Curricula) http://showmecenter.missouri.edu/
Curricular Options in Mathematics Programs for All Secondary Students
http://www.ithaca.edu/compass/
K-12 Mathematics Curriculum Center http://www2.edc.org/mcc/
Exemplary and Promising Programs Report http://www.ed.gov/PressReleases/10-1999/mathpanel.html
Impact Project (implementation of standards-based curricula)
http://projects.terc.edu/impact/
Center for the Study of Mathematics Curriculum
http://www.mathcurriculumcenter.org/
REPORT: On Evaluating Curricular Effectiveness: Judging the Quality of K-12
Mathematics Evaluations http://www.nap.edu/books/0309092426/html/
TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center (International comparisons)
http://timss.bc.edu/
Sample US Textbooks:
Algebra 1: Concepts and Applications Glencoe/McGraw Hill http://www.glencoe.com/sec/catalog/cgi-bin/secDisplay.cgi?function=display&area=math&category=productinfo&nameid=1564
Discovering Algebra
Key
Curriculum Press http://www.keypress.com/catalog/products/textbooks/Prod_DiscAlgebra.html
Algebra I
McDougall Littell http://www.mcdougallittell.com
Algebra: Structure & Method Book 1 McDougall Littell http://www.mcdougallittell.com
Algebra I Holt http://www.hrw.com/math/maalg1/index.htm
Concepts in Algebra: A Technological Approach
Glencoe http://www.glencoe.com/sec/catalog/cgi-bin/secDisplay.cgi?function=display&area=math&category=productinfo&nameid=516
Connected Mathematics
Program Prentice Hall http://www.mth.msu.edu/cmp/
Integrated Mathematics McDougall Littell
http://www.mcdougallittell.com
Interactive Mathematics Program (IMP) Key Curriculum Press
http://www.keypress.com/catalog/products/textbooks/Prod_IMP.html
Contemporary Mathematics in Context: A Unified Approach
(Core-Plus) Glencoe/McGraw Hill http://www.wmich.edu/cpmp/
And a good book!
• Senk, S. L., &
Thompson, D. R. (Eds.). (2003). Standards-based
school mathematics curricula: What are they? What do students learn?