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Unit
2
Curriculum Cesign For
The Elementary school
Both Mathematics
and Science, unlike
Social Studies and
Language Arts, benefit
from an exploratory
curriculum.
The hands on,
manipulative,
constructivist approach
with many experiments
and authentic learning
experiences will help
solidify the concepts in
the minds of the
students.
Research has
shown this approach to
be an important tool for
teaching students of all
learning styles.
By applying the 6
step lesson plan
technique you can meet
the learning styles of
all learners.
Those who need to
know the reason why
(anticipatory set,
objective), those who
are interested in what
(direct instruction),
those who as the
question how
(experiments in the
guided practice) and
those who are interested
in what if (individual
practice and closure or
evaluation).
Begin
to ask yourself the
question: How can I help
my students experience
this concept or idea.
What hands on,
manipulative experiment
will help them to see
the concepts I want to
emphasize.
By presenting
material in this manner
you will capture the
excitement of the young
learner and help curb
the tendency to
misbehave.
You will reach
those who are typically
disenfranchised by the
educational
community…..those who
make up the 40% of our
student body who do not
successfully process in
the worksheet, drill and
practice mode, those who
make up the largest
percentage of students
who would drop out or
end up in opportunity
school.
The
hands-on approach also
addresses one of the
major deficiencies of
the
US
math curriculum.
The 3rd
annual TIMMS study, an
international test of
Math and Science has
determined the
US
curriculum is lacking in
allowing students the
processing of
information.
We tend to try to
boil all teaching down
to a procedure, a
step-by-step approach to
problem solving.
This actually
does damage to the
student’s ability to
solve problems, rather
than allowing them to
successfully able to
solve problems.
The inclusion of
manipulatives, projects
and realia will give
teachers a method of
introducing concept
processing to our
students.
View
the article in ASCD
Leadership: www.ascd.org;
publications; archived
publications volume 61;
Feb 2004; Improving
Mathematics Teaching
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