 CPM’s “third generation” algebra course offers exciting, integrated chapters full of connections between topics. What was called a “day” in the Math 1 course is now a complete lesson containing an introduction that “launches” the lesson, problems that develop the topic, and suggestions that give ideas for providing closure. Technology is woven into the course— specifically, the use of graphing calculators. For every central idea, there are investigations and labs, as well as days devoted to consolidating understanding and practice. Course Design • Each chapter contains two or three sections that may or may not be related. Each section consists of a group of lessons that together study a major concept (such as solving equations). • Each chapter contains a closure component with five different options from which teachers may choose. • Homework is evenly structured so that 60% is review, 20% is from new material, and 20% previews future learning. Lesson and Curricular Enhancements • Significant emphasis is placed on representing information in four ways: a rule, a graph, a table, and a pictorial or written description of the situation. Students find ways to move from all representations to each of the others and use this flexibility to solve problems. • Each lesson contains an introduction informing students and parents of the purpose of that specific lesson. Each lesson is labeled with a title that communicates the subject matter and poses an overarching question that the lesson addresses. • All topics are eventually highlighted in “Math Notes” boxes (formerly tool kit entries). • The students are given questions (called “focus questions”) to ask themselves and their teammates to help advance mathematical discussion. Typical questions include: “How do you see it?”, “Is there another way?”, “Can you see a pattern?”, and “How else can you represent it?” • There is a consistent use of algebra tiles, particularly to solve equations in Chapters 2 through 5. Tiles are also used as a tool to introduce systems of equations, factoring, and completing the square in later chapters. • The course consistently uses investigations and applications for every central idea. |