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Parent Handbook
What
to Look For
Most
Important Teacher
Mathematics
in Your Home
Mathematics
in Daily Life
Helping
with Homework
Technology
Why Modify
the Curriculum
NCTM
Standards
Illinois
Learning Standards
Mathematics
Literature
Resources
for Parents
Math
Web Sites
The
Magic of Math 
Jackie
L. Cox
Clinical Instructor
Southern
Illinois University
Wham 137 Mail Code 4612
Carbondale, IL
Tom
Lewis
Fifth Grade Teacher
Jane Addams
3420
53rd Street
Moline, IL |
What
to Look For in a Mathematics Classroom
Mathematics is the language of the 21st century. Thinking, reading,
writing. picturing, and talking about mathematics are basic skills
that help us understand and explain our world.
A math classroom should provide practical experience in mathematical
skills that prepare students for the real world. Mathematical skills
go beyond memorization and extend into a world of problem solving and
reasoning.
Help your schools to provide the best mathematics available. When
you look into a classroom, you should observe the following actions by
students and teachers. 
Students are...
- using math manipulatives (such as blocks, tangrams, and scales),
technology (such as calculators and computers), as well as
textbooks.
- applying math to real-life problems and not just practicing
isolated skills.
- working independently, as well as interacting with other
students.
- working actively together in groups to test solutions to
problems.
- working in teams to challenge and defend possible solutions to
enable students to learn from one other.
- seeking a best solution among several solutions to a problem,
explaining to others how the solutions were reached, and defending
the choice of one solution over another.
- communicating mathematical ideas to one another through examples,
demonstrations, models, drawings, and logical arguments.
Teachers are...
- developing skills, facilitating student learning, and creating
real-life learning situations.
- moving around the room to keep students engaged in productive
work.
- establishing and maintaining high expectations for the students.
- encouraging students to gain mathematical competence and
confidence by finding their own solutions.
- guiding students in exploring multiple solutions to any problem
and challenging them to think.
- guiding students in making appropriate use of technology and math
manipulatives.
- promoting student use of creativity, inquiry, and higher levels
of learning.
- bringing a variety of learning resources into the classroom to
increase learning opportunities for all students.
- using assessment that focuses on problem solving and
understanding rather than on memory and speed.
- making mathematical connections between disciplines to show how
math is a part of other subjects that students are studying.
- helping all students to explore career opportunities that use the
mathematics they are learning.
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