Connected mathematics program

This study uses a cluster-randomized trial design, with random assignment at the school level. The school level is defined as all grade 6 teachers and their classrooms in schools. Clustering at the school level was assumed when calculating statistical power and analyzing the data. Schools are randomly assigned to either an intervention or a control group. Control schools use their normally scheduled curricula for both study years.

During year 1 only teacher demographic and implementation fidelity data are collected, as the intervention teachers gain skill and confidence in using the curriculum. No data are collected from the students in grade 6 during year 1, as they are not participants in the study.

Only students in grade 6 math classes during year 2 are participants in the study. At the start of year 2, before the year 2 grade 6 students have received the intervention, student achievement and engagement baseline measures are administered to both students in intervention and control groups. Implementation fidelity measures and site visits occur during the fall and spring of year 2.

At the end of year 2, all students complete the math achievement and engagement measures, which ends the data collection year. Intervention teachers receive two days of professional development in the summer, followed by three days during the school year, as recommended by Pearson Publishing. Opportunities to interact with other intervention teachers are facilitated by trainers certified by the publisher during each study year.

Control teachers use their current math curriculum not Connected Mathematics 2 and receive their school or district's prescheduled professional development. While such professional development varies from district to district, it typically ranges from 6 to 10 days a year. Schools participating in the study had never used Connected Mathematics 2. They were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group and participated in data collection for the two-year study period.

The final study sample consists of 69 schools, classrooms, and 7, students. Random assignment resulted in 36 intervention schools and 33 control schools. A sample of this size has the power to detect an effect of at least 0.

During year 1 the focus is on training teachers to use Connected Mathematics 2. In year 2, the year of formal data collection, outcome measures for student math achievement and math engagement are administered as pretests at the beginning of the year and posttests at the end. Student math achievement in both intervention and control schools is measured using a standardized math test, the CTBS TerraNova, 2nd Edition, for grade 6 2. Student math engagement is assessed using a scale developed by Eccles and Wigfield Implementation of Connected Mathematics 2 extends through two school years and is monitored through at least two site visits to each intervention school for each study year.

At least two site visits are conducted at each control school during year 2 only. The Connected Mathematics 2 observation protocols have been adapted for the study one protocol for intervention schools and one protocol for control schools. Explore with Mary Beth Schmitt strategies for pacing and prioritizing lesson designs and implementation so that students experience more in a year. Asking students to create various items that will be displayed in class will help encourage students to make their thinking visible to others.

Here are a few ideas on how thinking might be visible in the classroom. She is originally from Wisconsin and spent the last 6 years teaching high school math in the greater Madison area. Grade 6 Prime Time : Factors and Multiples Number theory, including factors, multiples, primes, composites, prime factorization; order of operations, distributive property.

Comparing Bits and Pieces : Ratios, Rational Numbers and Equivalence Ratio, unit rate, rate tables, rational numbers, decimals, percents, equivalence, absolute value, number line. Covering and Surrounding : Two Dimensional Measurement Area and perimeter relationships, area and perimeter of polygons, surface area and volume of rectangular prisms. Data About Us : Statistics and Data Analysis Analysis of data distributions, including shape, measures of center mean, median, mode and variability range, inter quartile range, mean absolute deviation.

Grade 7 Shapes and Designs : Two Dimensional Geometry Polygons, measurement of angles, angle sum of polygons, conditions for unique triangle, parallel lines and transversals. Accentuate the Negative : Integers and Rational Numbers Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of rational numbers, absolute value, opposites, order of operations, distributive property.

Stretching and Shrinking : Understanding Similarity Enlarging a figure, effect of scale factors on perimeter and area, coordinate rules, ratios between and within similar figures; using similarity to find measures. Comparing and Scaling : Ratios, Rates, Percent, Proportions Ratios, unit rate, rate tables, constant of proportionality, solving proportions, includes markups, discounts, commission, measurement, conversion. Moving Straight Ahead : Linear Relationships Representing linear relationships in graphs, tables, equations; solving linear equations; slope, intercept, writing equation for linear relationship given points.

What Do You Expect : Probability and Expected Value Probability models, experimental and theoretical probability, analysis of compound events. Filling and Wrapping : Three Dimensional Measurement Area circumference of circle; volume and surface area of rectangular and polygonal prisms, cylinders; volume of pyramids, cones, spheres; plane sections of prisms, pyramids; effect of scaling on surface area and volume.

Samples and Populations : Making Comparisons and Predictions Sampling plans, effect of sample size, predicting population statistics, simulations, comparing sample statistics to draw inferences about two populations.

Grade 8 Thinking With Mathematical Models : Linear and Inverse Variations Linear models and equations, inverse variation models and equations, variability of numerical and categorical data.

Looking for Pythagoras : The Pythagorean Theorem Pythagorean Theorem and converse, square roots, cube roots, irrational and real numbers, equation of circle.