Connected Mathematics 3, or CMP3, is an inquiry-based mathematics program for Grades 6-8. It helps students actively focus on math problem solving, reasoning and proof, communication, representation, and connections. These math practices require students to look deeper and connect problem solving to practical situations. Funded in part by the National Science Foundation, and developed through Michigan State University, CMP3 provides a powerful inquiry model for learning mathematics. Connect mathematical ideas to students’ everyday world.
The authors were guided by the following principles in the development of the CMP materials. These statements reflect both research and policy stances in mathematics education about what works to support students' learning of important mathematics.
- CMP is problem-centered. Mathematical tasks for students in class and in homework are the primary vehicle for student engagement with the mathematical concepts to be learned. The key mathematical goals are elaborated, exemplified, and connected through the Problems in an Investigation.
- CMP identifies big ideas and goes for depth. Ideas are explored through these mathematical tasks in the depth necessary to allow students to make sense of them. Superficial treatment of an idea produces shallow and short-lived understanding and does not support making connections among ideas.
- CMP has coherence. The underlying concepts, skills, or procedures supporting the development of a key idea are identified and included in an appropriate development sequence. The curriculum builds and connects from Problem to Problem, Investigation to Investigation, Unit to Unit and grade to grade.
- CMP intertwines conceptual and procedural knowledge. The curriculum helps students grow in their ability to reason effectively with information represented in graphic, numeric, symbolic, and verbal forms and to move flexibly among these representations to produce fluency in both conceptual and procedural knowledge.
- CMP develops skills and concepts as needed. Concepts and skills are developed, as appropriate, to solve interesting and challenging problems.
- CMP promotes inquiry-based instruction. Classroom instruction focuses on inquiry and investigation of mathematical ideas embedded in rich problem situations through rich classroom discourse and collaborations.
- CMP promotes effective use of technology. The curriculum reflects the information-processing and delivery capabilities of calculators and computers and the fundamental changes such tools are making in the way people learn mathematics and apply their knowledge of problem solving to new tasks.
- CMP has high expectations of all students. All students are asked sophisticated mathematical questions and are expected to persevere in their explorations to these questions, looking for patterns, generalizing, validating, and sharing and critiquing each others work.
Math begins this year with the second book, Comparing Bits and Pieces. It is a very heavy ratio and fraction unit, which is an excellent one to start the year off with due to the big emphasis on fractions and operations in the 6th grade year.
Homework will have core and choice problems. Students who are ready, can substitute one choice for one core problem. It is helpful to know that if you see your child struggling or moving quickly and easily through the homework problems, that may indicate whether they are or are not ready for those choice problems.