Making Math Learning Fun for Inner City School Students

by Duhon-Jeanlouis, Glendolyn; McCallum, Alice Duhon-Ross; Esmail, Ashraf

• ISBN13: 9780761853176
• ISBN10: 0761853170
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-10-28
• Publisher: UPA

Summary

Making Math Learning Fun for Inner City School Students is an effective tool for educators and a textbook for professors of higher education. The concepts discussed in the book provide a body of knowledge that will enable leaders to understand the critical issues surrounding inner city school students in their ability to learn mathematical concepts. Research shows that three to five teachers of mathematics leave the school system within the first two years of teaching because of frustration experienced while helping inner city school students comprehend and master mathematical skills. Students are often discouraged by inappropriate teaching strategies that favor learning math concepts in isolation, rather than making them relevant to daily life or cultural experiences. Teachers of math must clearly understand inner city school students' learning styles when they are implementing a process for the student to learn. Classroom teachers in the twenty-first century must have valid knowledge of how the brains of inner city school children work. For students to master and comprehend math skills, learning activities must be both fun and relevant to their present body of knowledge about life and living.

Author Biography

Glendolyn Duhon-Jeanlouis is a faculty member at Walden University and also serves as a mathematics teacher at Aldine Independent School (Texas). Duhon-Jeanlouis' current research focus is early childhood education. Alice Duhon-McCallum serves as program director of the MSED Teacher Leadership in the Richard W. Riley College of Education at Walden University. Her current research focus is multi-cultural education and counseling with special interest in school violence, family in poverty, and conflict resolution. Ashraf Esmail is an assistant professor in criminal justice at Southern University in New Orleans. His research interests include urban/multicultural/peace education, family, cultural diversity, political sociology, criminology, social problems, and deviance.

Table of Contents

Series Foreword	p. ix
References	p. xiv
Foreword	p. xvii
Preface	p. xix
Acknowledgments	p. xxi
Making Mathematics Fun in the Classroom	p. 1
Multiplication	p. 3
Problem Solving Strategies	p. 5
Different Ways of Checking for Understanding	p. 6
Personalized Word Problems	p. 7
Charts and Graphs	p. 7
Line Graphs: Charting the Weather	p. 7
Grade Graphing	p. 8
Bar Graphs	p. 8
M&M® Graphs	p. 8
Class Test Scores Graphs	p. 8
Circle Graphs	p. 9
Measurement	p. 9
Fractions	p. 10
Reducing Fractions	p. 10
Fraction Matches	p. 11
Adding and Subtracting Like Fractions	p. 11
Adding and Subtracting Unlike Fractions	p. 11
Conclusion	p. 12
References	p. 12
Preparing Students for Learning: Considering the Emotions	p. 13
References	p. 21
Factors Influencing Student Attitudes, Behaviors, and Learning Outcomes in the Statistics Course	p. 23
Introduction	p. 23
Literature Review	p. 24
Data and Methods	p. 26
Findings	p. 26
Factors Influencing Student Learning Outcomes	p. 27
Instructional Procedures	p. 27
Setting the Stage for the Course	p. 27
Course Lecture Procedures	p. 29
Instructor's Disposition, Attitude, and Behavior	p. 31
Classroom Physical Environment	p. 32
Additional Factors	p. 33
Student Characteristics	p. 33
Instructor Characteristics	p. 33
Other Course Features	p. 33
Conclusion	p. 34
References	p. 34
Multicultural Education Math Strategies for Today's Diverse Classrooms	p. 37
References	p. 42
After-Work Hours Challenges of American Parents to Assist Their Children with Math Homework and Other Subject Matters	p. 45
Do Any of These Situations Sound Familiar	p. 46
How Parents Can Help With Homework	p. 47
Why Is It Important for My Child to Learn Math	p. 48
How Will My Child Learn Math?	p. 48
What Tips Can I (Parents) Do To Help My Child With Math?	p. 49
Make Math Part of Your Child's Day	p. 49
Encourage Your Child To Give Explanations	p. 50
Teaching Math to Young Children	p. 50
Foundations	p. 53
Why Is It Important for My Child To Learn Math	p. 59
Knowing How To Do Math Makes Our Day-to-Day Lives Easier!	p. 59
How Will My Child Learn Math?	p. 59
What Tips Can I Use To Help My Child?	p. 60
Be Positive About Math!	p. 60
Make Math Part Of Your Child's Day	p. 60
Encourage Your Child To Give Explanations	p. 61
What Math Activities Can I Do With My Child?	p. 61
Understanding Numbers	p. 61
Understanding Measurements	p. 62
Understanding Geometry	p. 63
Understanding Patterns	p. 64
Understanding and Managing Data	p. 65
Where Can I Get Help	p. 66
Your Child's Teacher	p. 66
Others Who Can Help	p. 66
References	p. 66
Index	p. 67
Editors	p. 69
Contributors	p. 71
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