Jillian had 15 cookies to bring in and share with the class and Mike had 17. If their class has 35 students, will there be enough cookies for everyone.

How Do We Add 15 + 17?Evaluating Elementary Math Curriculums

Emilee Goralski

Solve the Following Problem

Jillian had 15 cookies to bring in and share with the class and Mike had 17. If their class has 35 students, will there be enough cookies for everyone in the class to have one?

How Did You Solve the Problem?

Basic Addition problem and then comparing the value of two numbers

15 + 17 = 32 < 35› There are not enough cookies for everyone in

the class to have one.

How did you do the actual addition in this problem?

Methods for Addition Adding across the columns and

carrying Partial Product Visual representation Using a number grid Mental Math

How do we decide which is the best way for

students to solve this problem?

Students Struggle Working primarily in 3rd and 4th grade at

Harrington Elementary and Hughes Elementary

A majority of my students struggle with their basic math facts (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division)

In 4th grade the previous problem would be an example of a review question in their workbook

However, why are students struggling with it? What curriculum will be the best for me to use in my classroom?

Spiral vs. Mastery Curriculum

Debate on which math curriculum to use in schools stems from the spiral vs. mastery debate

Both have showed success/failure in the classroom

The idea of spiral and mastery slightly changed my topic because I was not aware of these two distinct curriculum types before doing research

Spiral Curriculum

Main idea is that if students do not learn a concept the first time around they will see it in several other lessons and have a chance to master it then

Covers numerous topics in a short period of time

Continual review of material Example: Everyday Mathematics

Mastery Curriculum

Sequential learning Students must master a concept before

moving onto the next one Fewer lessons with longer instruction

period Not a lot of repetition among the

lessons because students are expected to learn it the first time

Example: Singapore Math

Everyday Mathematics

Developed by the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project, which was founded in 1983

A team of mathematicians, classroom teachers, textbook editors worked on writing the curriculum

Currently being used in 185,000 classrooms across the country

Based on three primary principals

Advantages Disadvantages Integration into

other subjects and real life situations

Variety of instruction

Encourage students to explain what they are thinking and how they solve problems

Give students multiple strategies to solve problems

Disconnect between home and school

Not enough emphasis on basic facts

Dubbed “Fuzzy Math”

A lot of word problems which may be hard for students who are not strong readers

Singapore Math Curriculum by the CDIS When first developed it was focused on

content and computation, until 1992 when it was updated to include more problem solving

“Singapore has a world-class mathematics system with quality components aligned to produce students who learn mathematics to mastery.”

It is now being integrated into school districts in the United States

used in Singapore since 1982 Developed

Advantages Disadvantages The main focus

is on basic math skills, “mental math”

Very structured Teach students

step-by-step procedures to solve abstract problems

Lacks representation and reasoning skills

Does not have the students communicate what they are thinking

Very little is taught on applied mathematics

Performance in the Classroom

Student Achievement Studies of Everyday Mathematics

Students in Singapore scored first place in mathematics on the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study in 1995, 1999, and 2003

Students who have adopted Singapore Math in the US have out performed students that have kept with US math curriculums

What does this mean for my classroom?

Required to use the math curriculum that is determined by the school district

Use Everyday Mathematics, but definitely incorporate aspects of Singapore Math

I like the variety of instruction on Everyday Math and the emphasis on communication

Emphasis on basic math facts especially in early grades

Hope to do additional research in my own classroom during Student Teaching

Sources Winners Education Group – US Sold On

Singapore Math Teaching Techniques An Introduction to Singapore Math American Institutes for Research The Pros and Cons of the Chicago Math

Approach for Elementary Students Spiral Vs. Mastery Singapore Math Website Everyday Mathematics Website The K-12 Mathematics Curriculum

Center

Any Questions??