Teaching Elementary Mathematics

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, because of increased demands for teacher and student accountability, identifying better ways of delivering educational methods for teaching young learners about mathematics concepts is important. The author reviews extensively the Texas Education Agency report on the teaching of mathematics to the state's 5th grade students. The paper uses the materials from this Texas report to develop a guide for teaching the concepts of area, perimeter and volume. The instructional strategy is based on a popular taxonomy used in educational design, Gagne's nine events of instruction. The author concludes that significant learning will take place among the fifth grade pupils according to the constructivist learning theory.


Table of Contents:
Problem Statement and Needs Analysis
Background of the Problem
Definition of the Problem
Needs Analysis
Rationale for the Need for Instruction
Available Resources
Goal Statement
Learner Analysis
Demographic Information
Relevant Group Characteristics
Prior Knowledge of Topic
Entry Level Knowledge and Skills
Attitudes and/or Motivation toward the Subject
Task Analysis
Area
Area: Questions for Reflection
Perimeter
Volume
Performance Objectives
Instructional Strategies and Supporting Learning Theories
Learning Theory Discussion

From the Paper:

"Absent hands-on exercises, though, many young learners will not have an opportunity to construct an understanding of the process of measurement or a concept of measurement unit which can frequently result in mechanical and inappropriate applications of measurement knowledge and tools. For instance, Baroody and Coslick point out that many elementary-level children tend to confuse area with perimeter and vice versa; some common types of errors that are made by these young learners when using a ruler."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Accountability manual. (2007, May). Texas Education Agency: Department of Assessment, Accountability, and Data Quality -- Division of Performance Reporting. Texas Education Agency. Retrieved December 6, 2007 from http://www.tea.state.tx.us/perfreport/account/ 2007/manual/body.html.
• Baroody, A. J., & Coslick, R. T. (1998). Fostering children's mathematical power: An investigative approach to K-8 mathematics instruction. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
• Chanter, C., & Welsh, L. (2000, December). Fifth-grade students experience careers that use mathematics. Teaching Children Mathematics, 7(4), 236.
• Chapter 111. Texas essential knowledge and skills for mathematics: Subchapter A. Elementary. (2007). Texas Education Agency. Retrieved December 6, 2007 from http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter111/ch111a.html.
• Gagne, R. M. (1987). Instructional technology: Foundations. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

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