Teaching Math for Robust Understanding: Part Three

Teaching for Robust Understanding of Mathematics, or TRU Mathematics, is a five-dimensional framework for creating effective learning environments, classroom activities, and professional development for teachers. Developed and in use by educators all over the world, TRU Mathematics provides a common vocabulary with which teachers can evaluate and discuss their role in the educational process with other teachers and administrators.

In Part Three of this four-part series, Dr. Alan Schoenfeld (Professor of Education, U.C. Berkeley) introduces the TRU Math Conversation Guide, a tool for teachers to use when reflecting on their own and discussing one another's lessons and style. He gives the audience an opportunity to practice having a TRU Math conversation by presenting two different lessons taught by the same teacher before and after learning to use the Formative Assessment Lessons and the TRU dimensions.   

This course was recorded at AETN studios in Conway, Arkansas on May 10-11, 2016.

Teaching Math for Robust Understanding: Part Four

Teaching for Robust Understanding of Mathematics, or TRU Mathematics, is a five-dimensional framework for creating effective learning environments, classroom activities, and professional development for teachers. Developed and in use by educators all over the world, TRU Mathematics provides a common vocabulary with which teachers can evaluate and discuss their role in the educational process with other teachers, parents, and administrators.

In Part Four of this four-part series, Dr. Alan Schoenfeld (Professor of Education, U.C. Berkeley) presents ways that the TRU Math framework has been implemented at classroom, school-wide, and district-wide levels. TRU dimensions have been used in San Francisco and Chicago, and are beginning to be used in Oakland, California. Dr. Schoenfeld particularly focuses on ways teachers and administrators can observe students and one another in order to improve instructional effectiveness.

This course was recorded at AETN studios in Conway, Arkansas on May 10-11, 2016.

Insights into Algebra 1: Variables and Patterns of Change

Part I: Translating words into symbols by forming algebraic equations from written sentences, and translating symbols into words. Part II: Solving linear equations using manipulatives and algebra. Teaching Strategies: Manipulatives and Cooperative learning.

Insights into Algebra 1: Linear Functions and Inequalities

Part I: Finding equations of linear functions when given either a graph or information about the line or a contextual situation, and modeling with linear functions. Part II: Solving linear equations and inequalities using algebra, graphs, and tables. Teaching Strategies: Technology and Worthwhile mathematical tasks.

Insights into Algebra 1: Systems of Equations and Inequalities

Part I: Solving systems of linear equations. Part II: Solving systems of linear inequalities graphically.
Teaching Strategies: Building understanding and Teaching English language learners.

Insights into Algebra 1: Quadratic Functions

This course is part four of the Insights into Algebra I Series. It highlights the work done in a Texas high school where students go from graphing quadratic functions to modeling, solving, and presenting what they have learned about quadratic equations. It models strategies that develop a community of learners, a hands on environment for students to explore what they are learning, and an alternative assessment method to gauge where students are in their learning. 

Insights into Algebra 1: Properties

Part I: Factoring basic quadratic expressions using algebra tiles and graphs. Part II: Understanding and using basic recursion to solve problems. Teaching Strategies: The Rule of Four and Patterns.

Insights into Algebra 1: Exponential Functions

Part I: Modeling exponential growth/decay problems, and understanding the growth/decay factor and the growth/decay rate. Part II: Understanding basic properties of exponents, including negative exponents and properties of exponents. Teaching Strategies: Affective domain and Instructional decision making.

Insights into Algebra 1: Direct and Inverse Variation

Part I: Exploring direct variation by recognizing and describing situations that involve direct variation. Part II: Exploring inverse variation by recognizing and describing situations that involve inverse variation.

Insights into Algebra 1: Mathematical Modeling

Part I: Understanding and interpreting rates of change as used in modeling situations, including fitting lines to data. Part II: Investigating number patterns and relationships that include linear and exponential functions. Teaching Strategies: Listening and Lesson study.