Active Learning in the Mathematics Classroom, Grades 5-8

Active Learning in the Mathematics Classroom, Grades 5-8
Author: Hope Martin
Publisher: Corwin Press
Total Pages: 209
Release: 2007-02-26
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1412949785

Deepen students' understanding of math concepts through active involvement! Engaging students directly in creative learning experiences is the basis of author Hope Martin's approach for re-energizing mathematics instruction. Active Learning in the Mathematics Classroom, Grades 5-8, Second Edition offers attention-grabbers such as Algebra Jokes, The M&M Mystery, How Long Would It Take to Walk to China?, and Gummi Worms to help students use mathematics as a powerful problem-solving tool, gain meaningful understandings of key concepts, and effectively communicate their mathematical thinking. Presenting a generous collection of student activities aligned with the five NCTM content standards, this revised edition of Multiple Intelligences in the Mathematics Classroom features A new chapter addressing algebra conceptsReproducible student pages for each activity Journaling questions to engage students in writing about mathematics Specific Web site resourcesWith step-by-step directions, suggestions, tips, and variations for implementation, this updated text provides a rich instructional resource for teachers, mathematics specialists, and curriculum directors.

Active Learning in a Middle School Mathematics Classroom

Active Learning in a Middle School Mathematics Classroom
Author: Kristin Lynne Holmes
Publisher:
Total Pages: 112
Release: 2008
Genre:
ISBN:

Teachers are constantly trying to find new ways to motivate students to learn. Mathematics is a subject that is often negatively perceived by students. If taught in the right way, I believe that being actively involved provides students with positive attitudes toward learning. During my capstone project, I tested out many active learning strategies. I observed that active learning increased student engagement, motivation to learn, and excitement towards learning math. "Active learning insists that fresh thinking be constantly applied every moment of our teaching lives, that no method nor discipline can supersede the necessity of being forever on the alert" (Bickman, 2003, p.4). "Teaching demands thoughtfulness. There simply is no way to become an outstanding teacher through adherence to routine, formula, habit, convention, or standardized ways of speaking and acting" (Bickman, 2003, p.1). These quotes echo my belief that active learning provides students with increased engagement and excitement for learning.

Learning to Love Math

Learning to Love Math
Author: Judy Willis
Publisher: ASCD
Total Pages: 270
Release: 2010-09-09
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1416612289

Is there a way to get students to love math? Dr. Judy Willis responds with an emphatic yes in this informative guide to getting better results in math class. Tapping into abundant research on how the brain works, Willis presents a practical approach for how we can improve academic results by demonstrating certain behaviors and teaching students in a way that minimizes negativity. With a straightforward and accessible style, Willis shares the knowledge and experience she has gained through her dual careers as a math teacher and a neurologist. In addition to learning basic brain anatomy and function, readers will learn how to * Improve deep-seated negative attitudes toward math. * Plan lessons with the goal of "achievable challenge" in mind. * Reduce mistake anxiety with techniques such as errorless math and estimation. * Teach to different individual learning strengths and skill levels. * Spark motivation. * Relate math to students' personal interests and goals. * Support students in setting short-term and long-term goals. * Convince students that they can change their intelligence. With dozens of strategies teachers can use right now, Learning to Love Math puts the power of research directly into the hands of educators. A Brain Owner's Manual, which dives deeper into the structure and function of the brain, is also included—providing a clear explanation of how memories are formed and how skills are learned. With informed teachers guiding them, students will discover that they can build a better brain . . . and learn to love math!

Transformational Change Efforts: Student Engagement in Mathematics through an Institutional Network for Active Learning

Transformational Change Efforts: Student Engagement in Mathematics through an Institutional Network for Active Learning
Author: Wendy M. Smith
Publisher: American Mathematical Soc.
Total Pages: 348
Release: 2021-05-05
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1470463776

The purpose of this handbook is to help launch institutional transformations in mathematics departments to improve student success. We report findings from the Student Engagement in Mathematics through an Institutional Network for Active Learning (SEMINAL) study. SEMINAL's purpose is to help change agents, those looking to (or currently attempting to) enact change within mathematics departments and beyond—trying to reform the instruction of their lower division mathematics courses in order to promote high achievement for all students. SEMINAL specifically studies the change mechanisms that allow postsecondary institutions to incorporate and sustain active learning in Precalculus to Calculus 2 learning environments. Out of the approximately 2.5 million students enrolled in collegiate mathematics courses each year, over 90% are enrolled in Precalculus to Calculus 2 courses. Forty-four percent of mathematics departments think active learning mathematics strategies are important for Precalculus to Calculus 2 courses, but only 15 percnt state that they are very successful at implementing them. Therefore, insights into the following research question will help with institutional transformations: What conditions, strategies, interventions and actions at the departmental and classroom levels contribute to the initiation, implementation, and institutional sustainability of active learning in the undergraduate calculus sequence (Precalculus to Calculus 2) across varied institutions?

Project-Based Learning in the Math Classroom

Project-Based Learning in the Math Classroom
Author: Chris Fancher
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 197
Release: 2021-10-03
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1000495388

Project-Based Learning in the Math Classroom explains how to keep inquiry at the heart of mathematics teaching and helps teachers build students' abilities to be true mathematicians. This book outlines basic teaching strategies, such as questioning and exploration of concepts. It also provides advanced strategies for teachers who are already implementing inquiry-based methods. Project-Based Learning in the Math Classroom includes practical advice about strategies the authors have used in their own classrooms, and each chapter features strategies that can be implemented immediately. Teaching in a project-based environment means using great teaching practices. The authors impart strategies that assist teachers in planning standards-based lessons, encouraging wonder and curiosity, providing a safe environment where failure occurs, and giving students opportunities for revision and reflection. Grades 6-10

The Flipped Mathematics Classroom

The Flipped Mathematics Classroom
Author: Heather Ramaglia
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2015
Genre:
ISBN:

This study addresses how the flipped method of classroom instruction differs from traditional classroom instruction when comparing student achievement measures in middle and high school mathematics classrooms. The flipped classroom is defined by the Flipped Learning Network (2014) as an instructional method that moves direct instruction outside of the classroom in order to make room in the classroom for a more interactive learning environment where students can actively engage in the content. The flipped classroom strategy theoretically allows teachers the time to develop mathematical ideas and the ability to facilitate that development. For the Common Core State Standards initiative to be effective, teachers need to engage students in new learning experiences that support college and career readiness. By implementing a technology based instructional approach, like the flipped classroom strategy, teachers are able to blend twenty-first century skills with the development of the essential habits of mind of mathematically proficient students (Brunsell & Horejsi, 2013). This study seeks to understand how the flipped method of classroom instruction can lead to improved student achievement in mathematics courses and improve student perceptions about math in order to encourage course consumption in the future (Zollman, 2011). A modified explanatory sequential mixed methods design was used, and it involved collecting quantitative data and then explaining the quantitative results with in-depth qualitative data. In the quantitative phases of the study, NWEA Mathematics MAP Assessment data were collected from middle school students and course common final assessment scores were collected from middle school and high school students in a large Midwestern suburban school district to determine how student math achievement was impacted for students in a flipped classroom as compared to a traditionally instructed classroom. The frequency of active learning incidents was also collected during classroom observations. The qualitative phase was conducted as a follow up to the quantitative results to help explain the quantitative results. In this exploratory follow-up, student and teacher perceptions of mathematics achievement as a result of the flipped classroom approach to instruction with middle and high school math students and how those perceptions might be different than those of students and teachers in traditionally taught classrooms along with descriptions of observable active learning incidents in the school district were explored.

Active Learning in Secondary and College Science Classrooms

Active Learning in Secondary and College Science Classrooms
Author: Joel Michael
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 176
Release: 2003-10-17
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1135644519

The working model for "helping the learner to learn" presented in this book is relevant to any teaching context, but the focus here is on teaching in secondary and college science classrooms. Specifically, the goals of the text are to: *help secondary- and college-level science faculty examine and redefine their roles in the classroom; *define for science teachers a framework for thinking about active learning and the creation of an active learning environment; and *provide them with the assistance they need to begin building successful active learning environments in their classrooms. Active Learning in Secondary and College Science Classrooms: A Working Model for Helping the Learner to Learn is motivated by fundamental changes in education in response to perceptions that students are not adequately acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to meet current educational and economic goals. The premise of this book is that active learning offers a highly effective approach to meeting the mandate for increased student knowledge, skills, and performance. It is a valuable resource for all teacher trainers in science education and high school and college science teachers.