Teaching Middle School Math

Recorded version of a free webinar and related resources. Join us to discuss why reading mathematics is challenging for many students and what teachers can do. We will examine how mathematics symbols, vocabulary, and content presentation can create roadblocks to students' mathematics understanding. Learn how to address students' difficulties by approaching mathematics as a language and to use specific strategies to improve mathematics learning.

This wiki page provides links to all the Math and Science Explore in Depth wiki pages. Explore in Depth pages provide context to exemplary online math and science resources.

This article summarizes a recent practice guide entitled Organizing Instruction and Study to Improve Student Learning that aims to supplement and inform teachers' instincts and experiences by identifying research-based instructional strategies that teachers of all content areas can use to improve student learning.

Seven research based instructional strategies that all teachers can use to improve student learning.

This article examines the use of comparison as a means of introducing multiple strategies for problem-solving in mathematics, and encouraging the development of flexible knowledge in algebra.

Using multiple strategies to solve problems - what a novel idea!

Although middle school students may have learned to identify basic place value in earlier grades, most are developmentally ready to delve into the deeper concepts of counting in other bases and the exponential growth of groupings within each increasing place. Just as students can more clearly understand the English language by studying a foreign language, math students can better understand our number system by studying other number systems and/or by creating a new one. Students who construct depth of understanding of place value through exploration will be more fully equipped to expand their mathematical thinking into the realm of decimals and scientific notation. I have chosen to use the term "number system" for this WebQuest rather than "numeration system," because I think it will more successfully link new ideas to the prior knowledge of the middle school students.

Although middle school students may have learned to identify basic place value in earlier grades, most are developmentally ready to delve into the deeper concepts of counting in other bases and the exponential growth of groupings within each increasing place. Just as students can more clearly understand the English language by studying a foreign language, math students can better understand our number system by studying other number systems and/or by creating a new one. Students who construct depth of understanding of place value through exploration will be more fully equipped to expand their mathematical thinking into the realm of decimals and scientific notation. I have chosen to use the term "number system" for this WebQuest rather than "numeration system," because I think it will more successfully link new ideas to the prior knowledge of the middle school students.

This webquest is designed to introduce you to the exciting world of angles. You will apply your knowledge of angles to several fun activities. In order to complete this webquest, you will need pencil, paper, protractor, ruler, and a compass. After completing the activities, you will be able to recognize the types of angles and construct your own angles.