Algebra Connections

California Edition

A Presentation to Teachers
for the
California Mathematics Adoption

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 Background of CPM
• CPM has developed curriculum for 18 years
• Written with the help of California classroom
teachers based on their experience of what
effectively develops both procedural skills and
conceptual understanding.
• Supported by research
in methodology and
studies of student
results, available at
www.cpm.org

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 Research Base
Research Support:
• Social interaction increases the
ability of students to learn ideas
• The integration of knowledge is
best supported by engaging in a
wide array of problems around a
single idea.
• Long-term retention and transfer
of knowledge are best-
supported by spaced learning.

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 Research Summary
Examples of California data:
• Students in California CPM schools scored 6 - 10
percentage points above the state average for
grades 9-11 on the SAT-9 test for 1998 - 2002.
• 8th Grade CST scores for 2002-2007 in CPM
schools are 59% above the state average.
• Students in both low-performing and high
performing schools score higher than matched
groups of comparison schools.
• Reports are posted at www.cpm.org.
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 Program Components

The Algebra Connections Program for

this review includes:
→ CA Edition Student text
→ Teacher binder with assessment
→ Extra Practice workbook
→ Parent Guide
→ Homework help (hotmath.com)

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 Examining a Lesson
The Structure of the Teacher
Materials
We will examine a lesson developing the
content for Standard 9.0:
9.0: Students solve a system of two linear
equations in two variables algebraically and
are able to interpret the answer graphically.
Students are able to solve a system of two
linear inequalities in two variables to sketch
the solution sets.

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 Lesson 6.2.3

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 Lesson 6.2.3

Lesson Objective:
Students will develop
the Elimination Method
for solving systems of
equations.

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 Lesson 6.2.3

Suggested Lesson
Activity:
Description of lesson
and strategies for
implementation, such
as questions for
students

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 Lesson 6.2.3

Closure:
Every lesson contains
closure strategies for
teachers.

Introduction:
• Motivates learning
• Gets students active
• Challenging

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 Lesson 6.2.3

Conceptual
Development:
When appropriate,
manipulatives (such as
algebra tiles) are used to
help students move from
concrete to abstract
understanding.
• Structured lesson
• Problem-based
learning
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 Lesson 6.2.3

Socratic Method:
Questions that
students answer to
develop a new concept
• Requires students
to be actively
thinking
• Outlines a process
for solving the
problem

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 Lesson 6.2.3

Context:
Focus on solving word
problems.

Practice:
Embedded in classwork

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 Lesson 6.2.3

Explicit Notes:
Following most lessons
is a “Math Notes” box
containing:
• Formal definitions
• Solved examples
• Multiple strategies
• Explanation of
special cases

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 Effective Learning Strategy
Students develop and practice topics in
study teams:

• Research-based
• Structured problems
with clear objectives
• Active engagement
with the lesson
• Mathematical
discourse

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 Homework

Review & Preview Icon

designates where
homework starts.
Homework includes:
• Spaced practice with
previous work
• Practice with current
work
• Extensions and
enrichment

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 Hotmath Help

Help with
Homework:
Students have access
to free tutorial help with
hints and solutions to
all homework
questions.

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 Teacher & Student
Interaction
Forms of Teacher
Interaction:
• Targeted lectures
• Clarifying instructions
• Checking for
understanding
• Testing student results
• Questioning student
processes
• Providing closure

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 Multiple Assessment
Resources
 Assessment Handbook
• Individual tests
• Team tests
• Participation quizzes
• Student presentations
• Portfolios
 Chapter Assessment Plans
 Tests and Problem Bank
 Student and class
observations

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 Universal Access

Solved Examples:
Additional resource
containing solved
examples of content
with complete
explanations.

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 Teacher Intervention

Extra Practice:
Offers multiple practice
problems (with
answers) for use in
class or at home.

Answers:
Answers are provided
so that students can
get instant feedback on
developing skill.

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 Parental Support

Parent Guide
To help parents help
their children

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 Reading Level

Flesh-Kincaid:
Using the Flesh-
Kincaid scale of
readability, the student
Algebra Connections
scores are:

7.4 64.0
Grade Level Reading Ease
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 Conclusion

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 Ways of Thinking
Algebra Connections focuses attention on
five “ways of thinking” mathematically:
• Justifying
• Generalizing
• Applying and
Extending
• Making
Connections
• Reversing Thinking

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 Chapter Closure
Each chapter offers extensive closure
opportunities, including:
• Reflective activities
• Key vocabulary
• Graphic organizers
• Practice problems
with answers for
self-assessment
• Ways of Thinking

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 Use of Algebra Tiles
Symbolic manipulation is developed through
use of concrete tools
• “Legend” reminds
students and teachers
which tiles are positive
and negative
• “Minus” region negates
the tiles in that region,
helping students
represent the opposite 2x - x + 1- (2 - 3)
of a negative.

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 Further Guidance
For big activities and
key challenging
problems, Further
Guidance is available
for students who need
additional assistance.

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