Improving Mathematics Achievement by Integrating English Language Arts into Mathematics

1. Improving Mathematics Achievement by Integrating English Language Arts into Mathematics Dianne McCarthy Buffalo State College Marion Chambers Lovejoy Discovery #43

2. Research on Integrating Literature into Mathematics Grades K-3 • According to Marilyn Burns (2005)books, “spark students’ imaginations in ways that exercises in textbooks or workbooks do not.” • According to research conducted by Kolstad, Briggs & Whalen (1996) children’s books are good starting places for exploration and investigation.

3. Our integration of Literature • Lovejoy Discovery school uses the Investigations math series. • We researched what children’s books were suggested in the upcoming units for grades K-3. • We obtained those books. • Worked with the teachers to integrate literature in math lessons. Marion modeled. • Junior Participants from Buffalo State College integrated literature into their lessons as a model.

4. Sample Literature Lesson • See hand out for list of children’s books useful for teaching mathematics and mentioned in the Investigations materials.

5. Research on Integrating Writing into Mathematics • O’Connell, Beasmon, Beyea, Denvir, Dowdall, Friedland, and Ward (2005) found that writing helped students refine their thoughts, develop understanding, and encouraged students to think about mathematics.

6. Our integration of writing into mathematics Grades 4-6 • Created journals that incorporate a graphic organizer (4 Square) and a space for writing a paragraph. • Identified questions and topics based on those found in Investigations and Connected Mathematics. • Teachers were given a copy of the Four Square Writing Method by Gould and Gould. • Teachers incorporated the use of journals during one unit of mathematics. • Junior Participants from Buffalo State used the four square and writing in the closures of their lessons.

7. Sample Lesson • A meter is part of the metric system. An example of an object meters would measure is the front of the school. It took about 100 meters to measure the front of the school.

8. Sample Lesson • An ounce is part of the US Standard Measurement. You can use ounces to measure weight. Some examples of objects measured in ounces are the following: sugar, flour, salt and pepper. Put 6 ounces of sugar with the flour to make a cake.

10. Positive Outcomes • We completed this after the New York State Assessments, so we do not have test score data, but we believe that this will improve student performance on the tests. • We also surveyed the participating teacher to determine if they observed positive outcomes in their classrooms and if they would use literature and writing in their math programs in the future.

11. Teacher Comments • The books provided problems that sparked the children’s interest. • The students were motivated by the books to solve word problems. • We observed the students making connections among the literature, the pictures and numbers. • It helped the children build a better understanding of mathematics.

12. Conclusions • The teachers at Lovejoy Discovery are continuing to use Literature and Writing in their math lessons. • The junior participants from Buffalo State College are also encouraged to use the 4 square graphic organizer and writing in the closures of their lessons and to use literature in their lessons whenever possible.