STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE
INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES
INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES
CLOSING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP IN MATHEMATICS
Equity
Excellence in math education requires equity. The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) addresses equity in the classroom as one of the six guiding principles of math instruction. Equity implies that all students are expected to understand mathematics and each will be supported in his/her efforts to accomplish this goal.
Some Indicators of an Equitable Classroom
- High expectations
- Non-threatening environment
- Accommodations for differences
- Varied instructional practices
- Consistent support of each student's effort
Best Practices in Mathematics
Evaluations by the U.S. Department of Education, National Science Foundation, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Eisenhower National Consortia, National Diffusion Network, and the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory have identified several practices that have proven to be promising in the math classroom. These practices involve active engagement in problem-solving activities that are built on knowledge of experiences. The ability to reason is a process that grows out of these experiences. Learning is enhanced by connecting math to the real world through technology and communication of mathematical ideas.
Bridging
the Mathematical Gap Through Best Practices
| TASKS | BEST PRACTICE |
|---|---|
| Begin with the concrete and build toward the abstract. | Use of manipulatives Calculators and computers Kinesthetic learning |
| Build communication skills. | Use of word walls to teach vocabulary Word problems with a variety of structure and solution paths Writing journals Cooperative groups Discussion |
| Solve routine and non-routine word problems. | Use everyday problems and applications Problem-solving strategies Investigate problem situations Problem-solving projects |
| Build reasoning skills. | Open-ended problems Questioning Making conjectures Justify thinking Logic puzzles Syllogisms Pattern discernment |
| Make mathematical connections. | Concept mapping of mathematical ideas Relate real world interests Integrate with other subject matter |
To Close the Achievement Gap Mathematics Intervention Strategies Should...
- Be used during or before initial instruction to ensure success for at-risk students
- Validate the concrete, kinesthetic learner
- Teach concepts moving from manipulatives, to pictures, to symbols
- Help students transfer "actively learned" concepts to pencil-paper tasks and assessments similar to the end-of-grade/end-of-course tests
- Include vocabulary activities, higher-order thinking, and problem solving strategies
- Teach mathematics concepts from the grade-level North Carolina Standard Course of Study on which students will be tested, scaffolding instruction to fill existing "gaps"
- Be fun, engaging and different than what has already been done!
To Make Mathematics Work for Closing the
Achievement Gap Teachers Must:
- Structure lessons so all students become more actively involved
- Feel comfortable in their use of technology
- Provide connections to prior knowledge, other subject areas, careers, and student interests
- Develop an array of teaching strategies so as to address students with different learning styles
- Continue to improve their knowledge of content so they feel comfortable with the curriculum
- Improve their questioning ability by asking higher order questions, allowing for wait time, and encouraging students to give more than one answer
- Become positive about their ability to teach mathematics to all students
- Expect students to want to learn, to do homework, to ask questions, and to seek assistance
Ten Steps
for Solving Mathematics Problems
- Whisper read the problem at least two times. Make a mental picture of what you are reading.
- Circle the key words in the question. MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT THE QUESTION IS ASKING!
- Identify and circle/underline the key numbers and labels.
- Eliminate unneeded data by drawing a line through it.
- Thoroughly study any graphs, charts, or diagrams.
- Determine the operation(s)/strategies needed to solve the problem.
- Solve the problem. SHOW YOUR WORK! (Draw a picture, draw a number line, look for a pattern, guess and check, make a table or organized list, use logical reasoning, work backwards, make it simpler, etc.)
- Evaluate the answer. DOES YOUR ANSWER MAKE SENSE? DOES IT ANSWER THE QUESTION(S) ASKED?
- If an answer sheet is used, check your answer with the answer choices. If your answer is not found, repeat steps one through eight.
- Bubble in the correct answer in the right space on your answer sheet.