Why Has Mathematics

Instruction Changed?
Myths and Facts

Family and Community Support

 Myth Fact
• Some people just • Every adult and
can’t do math. every child can do
mathematics.

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Mathematics for All …
As society changes, schools need to
respond to these changes and provide
meaningful mathematics to ALL of our
students, ALL of the time.

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 Myth Fact
• Math takes place • Mathematical
only in the literacy is deeply
classroom. embedded in the
modern day
workplace and in
everyday life.

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Mathematics Everywhere …
To be successful in many occupations
and to be able to function in today’s
technological world, students must be
able to process and interpret data,
communicate their understanding with
others and be able to apply
mathematical reasoning.
Family and Community Support
 Myth Fact
• Literacy is • Literacy is far
reading and broader, including
writing. an understanding
of graphs, tables,
statistics,
probability...

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Mathematical Literacy …
Mathematical literacy includes the ability
to put mathematical knowledge and
skills to functional use, and to pose and
solve mathematical problems in a
variety of situations.

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Links to Literacy …

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 Myth Fact
• Knowing number • Knowing number
facts and facts and
procedural skills procedural skills
are no longer has become a
valued by smaller portion of
teachers. the mathematics
valued by
teachers.
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Problem Solving …
Problem solving is the most important
and challenging process in
mathematics.

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 Myth Fact
• Students learn • Students learn
math best through math best when
teacher-directed they are active
lessons. participants in the
learning process.

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Active Learning …
Students are active individuals who
construct, modify, and integrate ideas
by interacting with the physical world,
materials, and other students.

NCTM, 1989, p.17

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Teacher’s Role …
The teacher’s role is to provide learning
activities and create an environment
that engages students, facilitating their
development of mathematical concepts.

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 Myth Fact

• Assessment • Assessment
should consist of should include a
tests and variety of: journals,
portfolios,
quizzes.
performance tasks,
projects, quizzes,
tests, observations.
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Assessment of Learning …
A student is assessed on how well he or
she solves problems, shows
understanding of concepts, applies
mathematical procedures, and
communicates required knowledge.

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Assessment for Learning …
Teachers need to observe students as
they do mathematics, reflect on student
responses, provide oral feedback to
students, and adjust instruction based
on these observations.

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 Myth Fact
• The use of • When used
calculators will appropriately,
have a negative calculators
impact on improve
students’ math computation
skills skills.

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Myth or Fact?
• Manipulatives are • Manipulatives
for young help connect
children. abstract thought
to something
tangible ---
for learners of
ALL ages.
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 1 x x2 y y2 xy

-1 -x -x2 -y -y2 -xy

One Algebra Tile

Model for

x2 - 2x + 2

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