Full Description
This work seeks to contribute to the national dialogue regarding best practices in teaching middle school mathematics. The authors are committed to improving mathematics achievement and opportunities for students whose inherited circumstances place them at a perceptible disadvantage. Most refer to said students as "risks." We hold the position that these students, irrespective of their backgrounds, possess Hidden or Unmet Potential and the unveiling of their potential can be accelerated when they are exposed to high-quality mathematics teaching. This book is a practitioner's guide to creative mathematics activities centered on algebraic, proportional, and geometric reasoning aligned with mathematics standards. This approach has the potential to accelerate the mathematical confidence and accentuate the mathematical proficiencies of students.
Contents
Preface: The Louisiana Mathematics Master's in the Middle Project
Section I: Positioning Mathematics Teachers for Instructional Success
Chapter 1: A Practical Framework for Strengthening Mathematics Teaching Practice
Chapter 2: Teaching Master Teachers the Mathematics They Need: Perspectives from a Mathematician
Chapter 3: Planning for Engaging Instruction
Section II: Strengthening Proportional Reasoning
Chapter 4: Shrinky Dinks®: A Lesson on Scale Drawings
Chapter 5: Super-Size It
Chapter 6: Trail Mix Portions: Right Sized
Section III: Strengthening Algebraic Reasoning
Chapter 7: The Sky's the Limit
Chapter 8: Meaningful Modeling of Mathematics Using Monopoly
Chapter 9: The Great Systems Caper
Section IV: Strengthening Geometric Reasoning
Chapter 10: Building a Superhero Boat
Chapter 11: Pinball Geometry
Chapter 12: The Geometry City Project
Section V: Appendices
Appendix A: Shrinky Dinks: Lesson Plan and Student Task Sheets
Appendix B: Super-Size It: Lesson Plan and Student Task Sheets
Appendix C: Trail Mix Proportions: Lesson Plan and Student Task Sheets
Appendix D: The Sky's the Limit: Lesson Plan and Student Task Sheets
Appendix E: Meaningful Modeling of Mathematics Using Monopoly: Lesson Plan and Student Task Sheets
Appendix F: The Great Systems Caper: Lesson Plan and Student Task Sheets
Appendix G: Building a Superhero Boat: Lesson Plan and Student Task Sheets
Appendix H: Pinball Geometry: Lesson Plan and Student Task Sheets
Appendix I: The Geometry City Project: Lesson Plan and Student Task Sheets
