Math With Mrs. Moulton

1
Math With Mrs. Moulton

• 2005-2006 School Year

2
Mrs. Moulton Math

• Telephone Number 429-9341 ext. 200
• Homework Information Number
• 429-5004 ext. 6200
• Email moultonbm_at_mansfieldct.org

3
Project M3

• In 1980, the National Council of Teachers of
  Mathematics (NCTM) made a bold statement, "The
  student most neglected in terms of realizing full
  potential, is the gifted student of mathematics."
  As test scores indicate, progress since that time
  has been slow or nonexistent in this area.
  Clearly our present system is failing. This is
  especially true for underrepresented students
  from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
• Project M3 addresses this problem through a
  carefully designed research study that will
  examine mathematics achievement and attitude in
  students in grades 3-5.

4
Project M3

• Project M3, Mentoring Mathematical Minds, is a
  5-year collaborative research effort of faculty
  at the University of Connecticut, Northern
  Kentucky University, and Boston University and
  teachers, administrators, and students in 10
  schools of varying socioeconomic levels in
  Connecticut and Kentucky. A team of national
  experts in the fields of mathematics, mathematics
  education, and gifted education will create a
  total of 12 curriculum units of advanced
  mathematics accompanied by professional
  development.

5
Project M3...

• Emphasizes mathematical discourse within the
  classroom
• Emphasizes problem solving and spirit of inquiry
• Differentiates among selected units for use with
  all students in years 4 and 5

6
M3 Units of Study

• Treasures From the Attic Exploring Fractions
• In this unit, students are introduced to two
  children, Tori and Jordan, who uncover hidden
  treasures in their grandparents attic from a
  general store that their great grandparents used
  to own. These treasures lead to an interesting
  exploration of fraction concepts. The focus of
  the entire unit is on making sense of fractions
  rather than on learning algorithms to perform
  computations.

7
M3 Units of Study

• Funkytown Fun House Focusing on Proportional
  Reasoning and Similarity
• In our unit, Funkytown Fun House Focusing on
  Proportional Reasoning and Similarity, students
  are introduced to similarity and congruence. The
  foundational mathematics behind these concepts is
  proportional reasoning. Students explore ratio as
  a comparison of two quantities. Students also
  explore the relationship between congruence and
  similarity.

8
M3 Units of Study

• What Are Your Chances?
• In this unit, students begin their exploration of
  probability as a measurement of the likelihood of
  events. Students may have had some prior
  experience such as predicting which color tile
  would be drawn from a bag or which number would
  be rolled on a dice. This unit extends beyond the
  activities to mathematics behind the experiments.

9
M3 Units of Study

• Record Makers and Breakers Using Algebra to
  Analyze Change
• In this unit, students learn about algebra as a
  set of concepts tied to the representation of
  relationships either by words, tables or graphs.
  They also learn about algebra as a style of
  mathematical thinking for formalizing patterns of
  change. They extend their notion of variable from
  a letter in an equation that represents a number
  to a more broad definition, that of a quantity
  that varies or changes.

10
Math in Context Books

• Patterns and Symbols (algebra)
• Some of the Parts (fractions)
• Picturing Numbers (data analysis)
• Measure for Measure (metric system)
• Per Sense (percents)
• Take a Chance (probability)

11
Writing in Mathematics

• Deepens mathematical understanding,
• Allows for time to learn,
• Helps retain mathematical learning,
• Fosters meaningful connections between what
  students already know and new leaning
• Improves problem solving,
• Improves communication skills,
• Empowers students to view themselves as budding
  mathematicians,
• Helps assess student progress and thinking
  skills,
• Improve instruction

12
Math Facts

• We work on accuracy and speed with the times
  tables
• Progress/growth is tracked using the Mad Minute
  Program
• Practice outside of the classroom is homework
  every night for every student

13
Homework

• Homework is given almost every night
• Assignments are written in students assignment
  books
• Assignments are also posted on the homework
  information line
• A late homework slip will be given if homework is
  not completed on time

14
Homework continued..

• Late homework notices will be stapled to
  assignment books and requires parent/guardian
  signatures
• When homework is not completed on time, X block
  will be used to complete homework and catch up

15
When students are absent we ask that

• You check the homework information line for the
  homework assignment that was given
• Sign up for a classroom teacher during X block to
  get all missed assignments
• Get caught up as soon as you can

16
Most importantly

• Students enjoy mathematics
• Have fun and feel safe in school

17
Information and Websites

• http//www.gifted.uconn.edu/projectm3/index.html
• www.funbrain.com
• www.mathforum.com
• www.nctm.org

18
Questions