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Strategies for Accessing Algebraic Concepts (K-8)

Strategies for Accessing Algebraic Concepts (K-8). Access Center September 20, 2006. Agenda. Introductions and Overview Objectives Background Information Challenges for Students with Disabilities Instructional and Learning Strategies Application of Strategies. Objectives:.

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Strategies for Accessing Algebraic Concepts (K-8)

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  1. Strategies for Accessing Algebraic Concepts (K-8) Access Center September 20, 2006

  2. Agenda • Introductions and Overview • Objectives • Background Information • Challenges for Students with Disabilities • Instructional and Learning Strategies • Application of Strategies

  3. Objectives: • To identify the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) content and process standards • To identify difficulties students with disabilities have with learning algebraic concepts • To identify and apply research-based instructional and learning strategies for accessing algebraic concepts (grades K-8)

  4. Make ‘Em Laugh with Math Question: What did one math book say to the other? Answer: Don’t bother me. I’ve got my own problems!

  5. NYS Mathematics Standard Students will: • Understand the concepts of and become proficient with the skills of mathematics • Communicate and reason mathematically • Become problem solvers by using appropriate tools and strategies This is achieved through the integrated study of number sense and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, and statistics and probability. Adapted from NYS Mathematics Core Curriculum MST Standard 3 Pre-K – Grade 12, 2005

  6. The Goals of Mathematics Instruction Help students to: • Internalize mathematical relationships so that they can connect these relationships to their preexisting ideas (conceptual understanding) • Gain the skills that would enable them to be fluent in carrying out accurate procedures (procedural fluency) • Formulate, represent and solve mathematical problems (problem solving) Adapted from NYS Mathematics Core Curriculum MST Standard 3 Pre-K – Grade 12, 2005

  7. Synopsis of New York State Mathematics Core Curriculum • Process strands • Content Strands • Bands within the Content Strands • Grade-by-Grade Performance Indicators Adapted from NYS Mathematics Core Curriculum MST Standard 3 Pre-K – Grade 12, 2005

  8. The Process Strands • The process strands highlight ways of acquiring and using content knowledge. • They help to give meaning to mathematics and help students to see mathematics as a discipline rather than a set of isolated skills. Adapted from NYS Mathematics Core Curriculum MST Standard 3 Pre-K – Grade 12, 2005

  9. The Process Strands • Problem Solving • Reasoning and Proof • Communication • Connections • Representation Adapted from NYS Mathematics Core Curriculum MST Standard 3 Pre-K – Grade 12, 2005

  10. The Content Strands • The content strands explicitly describe the content students should learn. • This broad range of content, taught in an integrated fashion, allows students to see how various mathematics knowledge is related, not only within mathematics, but also to other disciplines and the real world as well. Adapted from NYS Mathematics Core Curriculum MST Standard 3 Pre-K – Grade 12, 2005

  11. The Content Strands • Number Sense and Operations • Algebra • Geometry • Measurement • Statistics and Probability Adapted from NYS Mathematics Core Curriculum MST Standard 3 Pre-K – Grade 12, 2005

  12. How Many Triangles? Pair off with another person, count the number of triangles, explain the process, and record the number.

  13. Why Is Algebra Important? • Language through which most of mathematics is communicated (NCTM, 1989) • Required course for high school graduation • Gateway course for higher math and science courses • Path to careers – math skills are critical in many professions (“Mathematics Equals Equality,” White Paper prepared for US Secretary of Education, 10.20.1997)

  14. Challenges Students Experience with Algebra • Translate word problems into mathematical symbols (processing) • Distinguish between patterns or detailed information (visual) • Describe or paraphrase an explanation (auditory) • Link the concrete to a representation to the abstract (visual) • Remember vocabulary and processes (memory) • Show fluency with basic number operations (memory) • Maintain focus for a period of time (attention deficit) • Show written work (reversal of numbers and letters)

  15. At the Elementary Level, Students with Disabilities Have Difficulty with: • Solving problems (Montague, 1997; Xin Yan & Jitendra, 1999) • Visually representing problems (Montague, 2005) • Processing problem information (Montague, 2005) • Memory (Kroesbergen & Van Luit, 2003) • Self-monitoring (Montague, 2005)

  16. At the Middle School Level, Students with Disabilities Have Difficulty: • Meeting content standards and passing state assessments(Thurlow, Albus, Spicuzza, & Thompson, 1998; Thurlow, Moen, & Wiley, 2005) • Mastering basic skills(Algozzine, O’Shea, Crews, & Stoddard, 1987; Cawley, Baker-Kroczynski, & Urban, 1992) • Reasoning algebraically(Maccini, McNaughton, & Ruhl, 1999) • Solving problems(Hutchinson, 1993; Montague, Bos, & Doucette, 1991)

  17. Therefore, instructional and learning strategies should address: • Memory • Language and communication • Processing • Self-esteem • Attention • Organizational skills • Math anxiety

  18. Concrete-Representational-Abstract Instructional Approach (C-R-A) • CONCRETE: Uses hands-on physical (concrete) models or manipulatives to represent numbers and unknowns. • REPRESENTATIONAL or semi-concrete: Draws or uses pictorial representations of the models. • ABSTRACT: Involves numbers as abstract symbols of pictorial displays.

  19. Example for K-2Add the robots!

  20. Example for K-2Add the robots! + = 2 1 3 + =

  21. Example for 3-5 Tilt or Balance the Equation! • 3 *4 =2* 6 • ?

  22. Example 3-5Represent the equation! 3 * 4 = 2 * 6 ?

  23. Example for 6-8 Balance the Equation! 3 * +=2 * -4

  24. Example for 6-8 Represent the Equation 3 * + = 2 * - 4

  25. Example for 6-8 Solution 3 * + =2 * - 4 3 *1+7 =2 * 7-4

  26. Mnemonics • A set of strategies designed to help students improve their memory of new information. • Link new information to prior knowledge through the use of visual and/or acoustic cues.

  27. Why Are Mnemonics Important? • Mnemonics assist students with acquiring information in the least amount of time (Lenz, Ellis & Scanlon, 1996). • Mnemonics enhance student retention and learning through the systematic use of effective teaching variables.

  28. 2 Types of Mnemonics • Keyword Strategy • Letter Strategy

  29. STAR: Letter Strategy The steps include: • Search the word problem; • Translate the words into an equation in picture form; • Answer the problem; and • Review the solution.

  30. STAR The temperature changed by an average of -3° F per hour. The total temperature change was 15° F. How many hours did it take for the temperature to change?

  31. Example K-2 Keyword Strategy More than & less than (duck’s mouth open means more): 52 5 > 2 (Bernard, 1990)

  32. PRE-ALGEBRA: ORDER OF OPERATIONS Parentheses, brackets, and braces; Exponents next; Multiplication and Division, in order from left to right; Addition and Subtraction, in order from left to right. Example 6-8 Letter Strategy Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally

  33. Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally (6 + 7) + 52 – 4 x 3 = ? 13 + 52 – 4 x 3 = ? 13 + 25 - 4 x 3 = ? 13 + 25 - 12 = ? 38 - 12 = ? = 26

  34. Example Grade 3-5 Letter Strategy • O bserve the problem • Read the signs. • D ecide which operation to do first. • Execute the rule of order (Many Dogs Are Smelly!) • R elax, you're done!

  35. Graphic Organizers (GOs) A graphic organizer is a tool or process to build word knowledge by relating similarities of meaning to the definition of a word. This can relate to any subject—math, history, literature, etc.

  36. Why are Graphic Organizers Important? • GOs connect content in a meaningful way to help students gain a clearer understanding of the material (Fountas & Pinnell, 2001, as cited in Baxendrall, 2003). • GOs help students maintain the information over time (Fountas & Pinnell, 2001, as cited in Baxendrall, 2003).

  37. Prime Numbers 5 7 11 13 2 3 Even Numbers 4 6 8 10 Multiples of 3 9 15 21 6 Venn Diagram - example

  38. Series of Definitions Word = Category + Attribute = + Definitions: ______________________ ________________________________ ________________________________

  39. Four-Square Graphic Organizer 1. Word: 2. Example: 4. Definition 3. Non-example:

  40. Four-Square Graphic Organizer – example 1. Word: semicircle 2. Example: 4. Definition 3. Non-example: A semicircle is half of a circle.

  41. Problem Set 3 Addition Multiplication a + b a times b a plus b a x b sum of a and b a(b) ab Subtraction Division a – b a/b a minus b a divided by b a less b b) a

  42. How These Strategies Help Students Access Algebra • Problem Representation • Problem Solving (Reason) • Self Monitoring • Self Confidence

  43. Recommendations: • Provide a physical and pictorial model, such as diagrams or hands-on materials, to aid the process for solving equations/problems. • Use think-aloud techniques when modeling steps to solve equations/problems. Demonstrate the steps to the strategy while verbalizing the related thinking. • Provide guided practice before independent practice so that students can first understand what to do for each step and then understand why.

  44. Additional Recommendations: • Continue to instruct secondary math students with mild disabilities in basic arithmetic. Poor arithmetic background will make some algebraic questions cumbersome and difficult. • Allot time to teach specific strategies. Students will need time to learn and practice the strategy on a regular basis.

  45. Resources • Maccini, P., & Gagnon, J. C. (2005). Math graphic organizers for students with disabilities. Washington, DC: The Access Center: Improving Outcomes for all Students K-8. Available at http://www.k8accescenter.org/training_resources/documents/MathGraphicOrg.pdf • Visual mapping software: Inspiration and Kidspiration (for lower grades) at http:/www.inspiration.com • Math Matrix from the Center for Implementing Technology in Education. Available at http://www.citeducation.org/mathmatrix/

  46. Resources • Hall, T., & Strangman, N. (2002).Graphic organizers. Wakefield, MA: National Center on Accessing the General Curriculum. Available at http://www.cast.org/publications/ncac/ncac_go.html • Strangman, N., Hall, T., Meyer, A. (2003) Graphic Organizers and Implications for Universal Design for Learning: Curriculum Enhancement Report. Wakefield, MA: National Center on Accessing the General Curriculum. Available at http://www.k8accesscenter.org/training_resources/udl/GraphicOrganizersHTML.asp

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