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

2. 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?

3. 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

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

5. Bag #1

6. Bag #2

7. Bag #3

8. Bag #4

9. Bag #5

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

11. Extend and Explain

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

13. 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!

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

15. 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

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

17. 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 =

18. This presentation and other resources are available at
Comments & Questions?
This presentation and other
resources are available at
www. hisparks.com