"The Math Wars"

Why the concern?

• 32% of all 8th graders are at or above proficient
• 5-8% of all K-12 students have disabilities in math
• 8% of students w. disabilities scored at or above proficient

Two different paradigms

• Direct instruction vs. inquiry based learning

Challenges

• unfamiliar w. math standards
• lack of support, materials, and confidence in teaching math

Profile of students

• struggle w. basic facts and generalization
• difficulty applying metacognition
• trouble discriminating key points from irrelevant
• challenges w. multistep problems
• lack of persistence, low self-confidence, negative attitude

Inquiry-based

• student centered
• students solving problems in groups
• problems require them to apply variety of skills
• real world context
• endorsed by Nat'l Council of Teachers of Math

Goals

• teachers help students make, refine, and explore conjectures
• use a variety of reasoning and proof techniques
• flexible, resourceful problem solvers
• promote motivation and engagement in mathematical thinking

Research & struggling students

• schema-based instruction
• cognitive strategies
• scaffolding
• peer-mediated strategies

con't

• concrete-representational-abstract (CRA)
• mnemonics

Groups

• Define the strategy and give an example lesson