Interactive Mathematics Program By: Alissa Ganci Timothy Slaght

Project Description: History –Mathematicians, teacher-educators and teachers developed a new four year curriculum to embody the NCTM Standards designed to replace the traditional program of Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II and Trigonometry. See correlation handout

Philosophy –IMP is an integrated, problem based curriculum that teaches challenging content and emphasizes mathematical reasoning. –Concentrates on group work and collaboration, usually in groups of four. –Teacher is seen as the facilitator.

Design –Four year program. –Each year is broken into five units. Each is designed to take thirty days Based on a central problem Includes supplemental problems for gifted students –Assessment ($100) Daily Homework POW’s (Problem Of the Week) In class activities Presentations Portfolios –Requires the use of a graphing calculator

Curriculum Outline Year 1 The first-year curriculum contains an introduction to problem-solving strategies, the use of variables, and the meaning and use of functions and graphs, as well as concepts from statistics, geometry, and trigonometry. These mathematics ideas are set in varied contexts, such as the settlement of the American West, games of chance, Edgar Allan Poe's The Pit and the Pendulum, and measurement of shadows.

Year 2 Students work with powerful mathematical ideas, including the chi- square statistic, the Pythagorean theorem, and linear programming, and learn a variety of approaches to solving equations. Problem contexts include statistical comparison of populations, the geometry of the honeycomb, and maximization of profits from a cookie store.

Year 3 Students extend their understanding of material studied in preceding years of the curriculum, while learning about and applying new topics such as combinatorics, derivatives, and algebra of matrices. A baseball pennant race, population growth, and decision-making on land use provide some of the contexts for the mathematical concepts.

Year 4 Fourth-year IMP has a more varied subject matter than a calculus-focused course, and includes topics such as circular functions, computer graphics, and statistical sampling. Units build on the strong knowledge base of students who have completed three years in the program. Problem settings include a Ferris-wheel circus act and election polling.

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Addressing the 2061 Benchmarks I.1 Each unit has a central purpose, that is understandable and motivating to students. I.3 Each lesson builds towards answering the unit’s problem. III.2 Includes materials that promote first hand experiences. V.1 Through oral presentations and write-ups included in the portfolio, students are encouraged to explain their reasoning. VII.2 Presented material establishes a challenging classroom. VII.3 Group activities promote a sense of belonging and accountability, and generate a want to succeed. ($100)

Evaluation Data IMP students take more semesters of math, language arts and science then non-IMP students. Significantly higher GPA’s in high school, even after mathematics grades were discounted. SAT scores also showed an increase. It helps students who score at the low end of the achievement spectrum. Even though 20-30% of the curriculum covers topics not on standardized tests, “they are not being harmed by using a non-traditional curriculum.”

Teacher Support and Resources Each unit has a teacher’s guide that can be purchased. There is the IMP-lementation Center –Supports schools and districts that are using the curriculum –A professional development center –A networking center –Promotes the program to interested districts

Publisher Information Key Curriculum Press –To Order the series Call 1(800) 995-MATH Visit To Learn more about the series Call 1(888)Math-IMP Visit

And this series can be yours for Year 1 Student Textbook536 Pages$42.95 Shadows Student Textbook (Soft cover)109 Pages$7.95 Patterns Teacher's Guide272 Pages$20.85 The Game of Pig Teacher's Guide296 Pages$20.85 The Overland Trail Teacher's Guide312 Pages$20.85 Pit and the Pendulum Teacher's Guide264 Pages$20.85 Shadows Teacher's Guide288 Pages$20.85 Year 1: Calculator Guide for the TI-81, TI-82, and TI-8396 Pages$14.25 That’s for only ONE year.