SIR Mathematics Investigation Abstract
MATH CURRICULUM AND METHODS FOR THE CYCLE WIZ FACTORY OF LEARNING
Presenters:
Grant L. Barbosa, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL, 60506
Simileoluwa O. Odueyungbo, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL, 60506
Mentor:
Ms. Constance Van Brunt, CYCLE (Community Youth Creative Learning Experience)
Abstract:
In any after school program math is a subject that must not fail to be taught. Considering that the environment in which the students who attend CYCLE live generally leaves students unprepared in math. My task was to create such a curriculum that the students who attend CYCLE will reinforce what they already know and also learn new facets of mathematics. Since CYCLE attendees age varies, the age group addressed by the mathematics curriculum was that of student's shortly thereafter entering middle school, more specifically grades third and fourth. The goal of the curriculum is to present mathematics in an enjoyable and entertaining fashion so that the students will want to attend this lab at CYCLE. The topics placed into this curriculum include: prime numbers, Fibonacci numbers, pre-algebra, basic algebra, advanced multiplication and division, basic operators with fractions and decimals, square and cube roots, percents, and graphing. Along with the topics for each lab, tutoring for the homework which the students bring is also addressed in this lab. The topics and tutoring can be taught in many manners with such things occurring as standard teaching situations, games, scavenger hunts, and timed contests, among others. Through addressing these topics through the multiple activities, the students who attend the CYCLE Math Lab will be engaged and educated in manner which reinforces and improves their understand of material in mathematics.