Mathematics Education in the Middle Grades: Teaching to Meet the Needs of Middle Grades Learners and to Maintain High Expectations

Mathematics Education in the Middle Grades: Teaching to Meet the Needs of Middle Grades Learners and to Maintain High Expectations In September 1998, the Math Science Education Board National held a Convocation on Middle Grades Mathematics that was co-sponsored by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the National Middle School Association, and the American Educational Research Association. The Convocation was structured to present the teaching of middle school mathematics from two points of view: teaching mathematics with a focus on the subject matter content or teaching mathematics with a focus on the whole child and whole curriculum. This book discusses the challenges before the nation's mathematical sciences community to focus its energy on the improvement of middle grades mathematics education and to begin an ongoing national dialogue on middle grades mathematics education. Table of ContentsFront MatterLetter from the Program Steering CommitteeExecutive SummaryParticipant ObservationsTeaching and Learning Mathematics at the Middle Grades: Setting the StageContent and Learning Issues in the Middle GradesTeaching Issues in the Middle GradesOrganizational Issues in the Middle GradesClosing RemarksAction ConferencesAppendix 1. Convocation and Action Conference AgendasAppendix 2. Biographical Information on Convocation and Action Conference SpeakersAppendix 3. Convocation and Action Conference Participant ListsAppendix 4. Marcy's DotsAppendix 5. Discussion Session WorksheetsAppendix 6. Background Paper for the Convocation: What is 8th Grade Mathematics: A Look from NAEPAppendix 7. Resources