Improving Access to Mathematics: Strategies for Secondary Students Presented by Heather Sparks, NBCT 2009 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year

What makes math difficult? Lack of prior knowledge Missing foundational skills Limited experiences with “doing” math “One right answer” approach “Permission” to be “bad” at math Others?

STRATEGIES: 1. Constant exposure to meaningful math Every day, provide meaningful math investigations through manipulatives, games, puzzles, and stories. Content example: Right Hand/Left Hand

STRATEGIES: 2. Allow students to verbalize their thinking Every day, expect students to explain their thinking. Content example: It’s In the Bag

Bag #1

Bag #2

Bag #3

Bag #4

Bag #5

STRATEGIES: 3. Provide for meaningful use of manipulatives Manipulatives should be available and integrated to every math lesson. Content example: Extend & Explain

Extend and Explain

STRATEGIES: 4. Help students develop “bridge” tools Students should be taught specific strategies to Improving memory and understanding Content example: Integer Song Finger Multiplication

Integer Song Same signs, add and keep Different signs, subtract (Tune: Row, Row, Row Your Boat) Same signs, add and keep Different signs, subtract Keep the sign of the larger number Then you’ll be exact!

STRATEGIES: 5. Create “reference” resources Students should maintain a math journal to record and store math resources. Content example: Exponent rule foldable

Integer Rules Foldable What patterns do you notice? A. a3 a2 = a5 a4 a3 = a7 a5 a1 = a6 a3 a5 = a8 a6 a7 = a13 l l l l l

Integer Rules Foldable What patterns do you notice? m5 m2 m7 m3 m10 m4 m6 = m3 = m4 = m6 = m2

Integer Rules Foldable What patterns do you notice? 24 23 22 21 20 2-1 2-2 2-3 2-4 =16 = 8 = 4 = 2 =

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