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Algebra, Problem Solving, and Higher-level Mathematics for Middle School Students. April 25, 2009 2009 Annual Conference & Exposition National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Max L. Warshauer Hiroko K. Warshauer Julie Acosta. A member of The Texas State University System. Overview.
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Algebra, Problem Solving, and Higher-level Mathematics for Middle School Students April 25, 2009 2009 Annual Conference & Exposition National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Max L. Warshauer Hiroko K. Warshauer Julie Acosta A member of The Texas State University System
Overview • Problems and activities • Strategies • Equity and accessibility • International perspective • Contests and Camps • Q/A
Creating Interesting Problems • Engaging • Relevant • Requires making connections • Develop student understanding
A Dry Problem Solve for xy if • x+y=8 and • x2+y2=36
Different approaches • Substitution • Graphing • Making connections
Refining the problem • A rectangle has perimeter 16 and diagonal of length 6. Find its area.
Key Principles • Compute simple examples • Look for patterns • Make conjectures • Test and prove why things work
Focus on • What is the student asking? • The problems, not just answers. • How to open the communication. • Different ways to approach the problem. • Different ways to pose questions.
Equity and Accessibility • “To think deeply of simple things” • Challenge with rich problems • Develop a growth mindset—Carol Dweck • Early Access to algebraic thinking
Summer Programs • Awesome • Ross (Ohio State) • PROMYS (Boston University) • Texas Mathworks Junior Summer Math Camp, Honors Summer Math Camp
Implications for preparing future teachers • Engage in examining problems • Examine student questions • Develop independent, confident problem solvers • Think deeply about the mathematics. • Communicate by writing mathematics
Combining with Teacher Training • Structure— • Observe Camp • Graduate Course • Conduct Camp • School year follow-up
School Support • Long-term relationships • Curriculum Director • Principal Support • Teacher Buy-In
School-District Perspective • Curriculum Pilots • Parental support • Family Math Nights • Community support
University and School District Partnership • Superintendent, Curriculum Director, Principal, Teacher • Understanding district needs • Coordinating with undergraduate teacher preparation
Contests • MathCounts • American Math Competition • (AMC) 8, 10, 12 • Primary Math World Contest (PMWC) • American Regions Math League (ARML) • American Invitational Math Exam (AIME)
International Perspective • Primary Math World Contest • Bulgaria • Japan • Australia • China
Q&A Thanks! Questions Max Warshauer at max@txstate.edu Hiroko Warshauer at hw02@txstate.edu Julie Acosta at jacosta1@mcallenisd.org