Education Commons^™

Strategies To Improve Math Fact Fluency In Elementary School Students, Jennifer Whealy

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project is to develop a guide that contains strategies to improve math fact fluency in elementary school students. The guide is developed to be used by elementary school teachers in Washington State to show them how to incorporate strategies for math fact fluency into their math curriculum. The math fact fluency strategies ca:n be used to help teachers support students in their understanding of their basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts. This guide will contain research based strategies to improve math fact fluency for kindergarten through fifth grade students. The guide will include research based …

The Effects Of Learning Groups On Student Achievement And Attitude In A Sixth Grade Mathematics Class, Jay Randall Mcguffin

All Graduate Projects

A handbook for implementing "Student Team Learning" as an alternative teaching strategy for middle level math teachers was developed after conducting extensive action research project within a sixth grade math classroom. A literature review on barriers to learning mathematics in middle schools and Student Team Learning as a teaching strategy was conducted. An action research project was conducted and from the pre to post-test data and best practices implementation regarding student team learning methods the handbook project was constructed. The handbook includes an introduction to Student Team Learning; guidelines for implementation; a student attitude survey; lesson practice questions, review sheets, …

When Am I Ever Going To Use This? A Mathematics Investigation Involving Animals, Nicole Lynn Drake

All Graduate Projects

This project is a format for developing investigations that includes a sample set of investigations that teachers can use as a resource. This project develops an investigation that assists teachers in presenting math concepts within the context of his or her students' everyday life. Investigations use real live experiences as background and context for student learning. By developing a problem that the students can relate to, the student's attitudes and depth of knowledge will improve. This project looks into, the history of reform in mathematics education, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics standards, current curricula addressing reform, math workshops, …

Pre-Algebra And Algebra I Class Starters, Lois Martin Serns

Graduate Student Projects

Mathematics has always been important, but never more than today. Math curriculums have been revised throughout the United States to better prepare students for success. The math class of today must offer an environment in which students can work individually and in cooperative groups on meaningful, real-life problems. Teachers need to make the most of the class time they have. Using a math starter problem or activity can help achieve this goal. A wide variety of activities not only improve the quality of learning in the classroom, but will also capture the interest of the student in math class. These …

Comparison Of East Asian And Western Culture In Teaching Mathematics: A Model Of Elementary School Mathematics Curriculum, Hui-Nuan Nuang

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to compare cross-cultural mathematics teaching in the elementary schools in East Asian and Western countries, particularly focused on Taiwan and the United States. Another purpose was to design and develop a common mathematics curriculum program for elementary schools to use in both environments. To accomplish this purpose, a review and comparison of current research and literature regarding current curriculum and teaching practice of mathematics in Taiwan and the United States was conducted. Additionally, related information from selected sources was obtained and analyzed.

A Model Mathematics Thinking Skills Curriculum For Elizabeth Blackwell Elementary School In Sammamish, Washington In The Lake Washington School District, Stacy S. Murphy

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a model Mathematics Thinking Skills Curriculum for Elizabeth Blackwell Elementary in Sammamish, Washington, in the Lake Washington School District, aimed at sixth grade mathematics classrooms. To accomplish this purpose, a review of related literature and research was conducted and utilized to develop unit and lesson plans for a model mathematics thinking skills curriculum. Students were given sample problems from the units and comparisons were made between teaching mathematics with thinking skills and traditional methods. The results support the hypothesis that mathematics concepts are better understood when combined with thinking skills and the …

An Integrated Math Curriculum Designed To Develop Problem Solving Skills In Third Grade Students, Nwaynna Bernadette Stewart

All Graduate Projects

The effectiveness of a curriculum integrating math, manipulative use, writing, drama and the visual arts was examined. The information gathered through research articles and case studies was used to create an integrated math program. The focus of the project is to strengthen problem solving and critical thinking skills of third grade students. The project is designed to supplement materials and textbooks teachers are currently using in their classrooms. Implications for future areas of research are discussed.

A Model Geometry And Probability Supplimental Curriculum For Fourth Grade Students In Alignment With The Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements For Mirror Lake Elementary School, Federal Way School District, Federal Way, Washington, Melanie Jane Strey

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop and implement a model supplemental geometry and probability curriculum for Mirror Lake Elementary in the Federal Way School District, Federal Way, Washington. To accomplish this purpose, a review of related literature was conducted. Additionally, related information and materials from selected sources was obtained and analyzed. Control Groups were formed to test district provided curriculum and district provided curriculum with supplemental units. The results showed greater student academic gains when the district provided curriculum was supplemented with additional material.

A Model Mathematics Problem Solving Curriculum For Randle Elementary School In Randle, Washington In The White Pass School District, Randy A. Torrey

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to design and develop a model fifth grade mathematics curriculum, in alignment with Washington State Essential Academic Leaming Requirements, for the White Pass School District in Washington. To accomplish this purpose, a review of cun-ent research and literature was conducted and used to develop unit and lesson plans for a model problem solving mathematics curriculum. The results support the hypothesis that mathematic concepts are better understood when problem solving skills are used. Implications for using problem solving skills in a mathematics cuniculum are discussed.

Integrating Mathematics And Language Arts With Assessment In A Fourth Grade Classroom, Erika Vestad

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a unit integrating language arts, mathematics, and Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) practice items for use in a fourth grade classroom in the Yakima School District in Yakima, Washington. This unit allows teachers to better use the W ASL practice items assigned by the district. It also helps students prepare for the WASL and teaches life-long skills. To accomplish this purpose. current literature was reviewed. Additionally, related information from selected sources was obtained and analyzed. Current literature and related sources were synthesized into an integrated unit on measurement and geometry to …

Educational Math Games For First Grade, Shelly Christine Harberts

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of the project is to create appropriate educational math games for first grade. Thirty-six new games were generated to replace the math games used in the Everyday Math curriculum used in my classroom. The games were taught to twenty first graders. The results showed that using mathematical games relating to the concepts being taught, helped students better understand and master the concepts.

Literature-Based Supplimental Activities In A Second Grade Classroom, Heidi Stevens

All Graduate Projects

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics recommendations and the Washington State Commission on Student Learning Essential Academic Learning Requirements are addressed. The benefits of integrating mathematics and literature are studied. Integrated activities, materials, and a bibliography of children's literature that supplement a traditional mathematics CUITiculum for primary students are developed. Recommendations for implementing the project are given.

The Development And Design Of Activities To Support Performance Based And Integrated Math Instruction For Fifth Grade Students, Lelia L. Coghill

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of the project was to develop and design activities and materials to support performance based integrated mathematics instruction for fifth grade students in the concept areas of place value, decimals, percents, and fractions. The activities and materials were prepared in conjunction with other disciplines, namely reading, writing, art, science, and social studies. The intent was to make mathematics relevant to real life with stress on student performance as an indicator of knowledge, understanding, and application. The activities make use of performance based, integrated, and real life situations, and the materials include technology, field trips, gaming, manipulatives, recording sheets, …

Curriculum Based Measurement And Portfolio Assessment: An Effective Evaluation System, Johanna Roberts

All Graduate Projects

The researcher reviewed current literature regarding curriculum based assessment, curriculum based measurement (CBM) and portfolio assessment. The researcher developed a curriculum based measurement for kindergarten prereading and premath skills as a part of a portfolio system. A first grade math curriculum based measurement was designed collaboratively with two first grade teachers. A beginning reading assessment was also designed for the first grade. Results showed that a portfolio assessment with CBM's is an effective evaluation tool.

A Cooperative Approach To Writing A Curriculum Guide For Mathematics, Sara Nilson Bos

All Graduate Projects

This project involved writing a curriculum guide for grades kindergarten through six in the area of mathematics. This guide was developed using a cooperative approach including small groups of teachers representing several grade levels, as well as, the entire teaching staff. The process of developing the guide was important to this study as was the mathematics guide itself. Teachers were involved in selection of a mathematics curriculum, implementing the curriculum, evaluating and adapting the curriculum after one year of use, and writing the guide to accompany the program.

Pattern And Mathematics: Math Enrichment Activities For Gifted Fourth, Fifth And Sixth Grade Children, Janet K. Zuber

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project is to provide assistance to the elementary math teacher in meeting the needs of the student gifted in the area of math. A collection of activities is provided to use with gifted intermediate students and should serve as an example of the type of activities appropriate for the gifted student. These activities would be most appropriately used with gifted students in grades four through six. The activities would be of greatest benefit if students were grouped in a homogeneous manner with one teacher taking responsibility for their math needs, Homogeneous grouping would allow for faster-paced …

Computer Banking And Cross-Referencing Of Mathematical Materials For The Elementary Grades, Daniel Jordan Martin

All Graduate Projects

The specific area and focus of this project will be that of arranging District and program math learning objectives for eventual computer banking along with materials cross-referenced to those objectives. In addition, the cross-referenced materials will be labeled as to grade level, interest level, mode of learning, and time needed for their use. The computer banking will facilitate use and prescriptive accessibility to given objectives.

The justification for such a project can be broken down into several areas: (1) the need of the elementary math teachers to have a bank of supplementary materials cross-referenced to facilitate their instruction of math …

Traditional Vs. Individualized Fifth And Sixth Grade Arithmetic Program, Donald Paul Giaudrone

All Master's Theses

This paper presents a comparative study involving two methods of arithmetic instruction for fifth and sixth grade students. Thirty pupils were taught arithmetic using a traditional approach and thirty pupils were taught arithmetic using an individualized approach. Each group was divided into high, average, and low ability students and between group achievements compared at the end of an eight month period with encouraging results. Evaluation and statistical analysis followed. The findings were discussed and recommendations offered for further study.

The Level Of Mathematical Understanding Possessed By Prospective Elementary Teachers, William Dean Vodarski

All Master's Theses

It was the purpose of this study to determine the level of mathematical understanding possessed by prospective elementary teachers graduating from Central Washington State College. It was also the purpose to determine if the measured level of mathematical understanding is related to such factors as sex, education classes completed, mathematics classes completed, and grade level of student teaching.

An Elementary Mathematics Curriculum Study To Determine If Achievement And Attitude Can Be Influenced By A Textbook Adoption, Elsie M. Railey

All Master's Theses

There is on the market a wide range of contemporary mathematics textbooks available. Textbooks approach mathematics differently and there is a variation in terms of the amount of time allocated to a topic, the development of elementary concepts and laws of arithmetic, and the amount of drill and repetition. The sequential development of the texts follows closely, but the scope and content differ significantly. Specifically, it is the purpose of this study to determine if there is a significant difference between series, as opposed to those in another mathematics series, in the variables of attitude and achievement. The two textbooks …

The Development Of Arithmetical Concepts With Use Of Manipulative Materials, Elsie O. Deatherage

Graduate Student Research Papers

It was the purpose of this paper to show how manipulative aids were used to develop arithmetic concepts in a first grade in Selah, Washington. These arithmetic concepts are widely used in grade one according to Gunderson and Hollister, Edwina Deans, Grossnickle, and others.

A Critical Review Of Current Literature On Modern Arithmetic, Hugh Fotheringill

Graduate Student Research Papers

It was the purpose of this study (1) to review current literature regarding new trends and programs in elementary mathematics; (2) to investigate the need for the adoption of a new mathematics program in the elementary schools; (3) and investigate the need for the retraining of elementary teachers in the new mathematics.

Providing For Individual Differences In The Elementary School Arithmetic Program, Robert S. Allen

Graduate Student Research Papers

How can individual differences be provided for in the elementary school arithmetic program? It is obvious that if all pupils in the elementary schools are required to follow the same course of study, read the same books, do the same exercises, solve the same problems, and pass the same examinations, there can be little provision for individual differences. It was the purpose of this study to present practices used or usable to provide for individual differences.