7th/8th Grade Mathematics

I was given the honor "Distinguished Educator of Maine" by the Maine Department of Education in 2011-12, and was given the opportunity to take the year off to begin creating a new 8th grade mathematics curriculum. The MLTI Director at the time was looking for an Open Education Resource which would align with the 8th grade Common Core State Standards and leverage the available technology better. Durham Community School and Freeport Middle School also wanted the 8th grade curriculum to continue serving as an algebra course, and later as a geometry course, as well.

Having a deep passion for mathematics, I wanted the curriculum to instill a deeper understanding and appreciation for mathematics in general, and algebra in particular. Algebra is not just a gateway course, it is a powerful and beautiful branch of mathematics all of its own, and even more so when naturally integrated with geometry. I also wanted the curriculum to meet the true reason for education, to help students learn how to learn and to think for themselves.

My solution was to create a zero-lecture, two-year course called, "Polynomials", where students are given the opportunity to collaboratively explore the world of polynomials the way mathematics was intended to be experienced, by doing mathematics (asking questions, discovering patterns, and making connections, which of course leads to deeper questions, patterns, and connections ad infinitum). As a consequence, students end up better understanding the naturally embedded 8th grade, algebra, and geometry standards along the way.