Research Proposal
Practical Application Activities in Mathematics: Can students’ understanding of mathematics concepts improve if the curriculum is integrated with the content area subjects?
By: Juan Bottia, Tiffany Rampey, Aaron O’Brien
National Louis University
ESR 505 - Graduate Research: Mixed Methods
Instructor: Dr. Erika Burton
October 12th, 2014
Purpose of Study
The goal of this investigation is to study the impact of using practical application methods to teach mathematics in a 3rd grade classroom. We want to investigate the impact it will have on students’ understanding and mastery of the Number and Operations in Base Ten domain of the CCSS (Common Core State Standards). Explicitly, we want to study the effects it will have on standards 3.NBT.A.1 (Use place value understanding to round whole numbers to the nearest 10 or 100) and 3.NBTA.3 (Multiply one-digit whole numbers by multiples of 10 in the range from ten to ninety {e.g., 9 × 80, 5 × 60} using strategies based on place value and properties of operations).
In order to achieve mastery in the Number and Operations
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In consequence, we have decided to focus this study on the Number and Operation of Base Ten domain in order to investigate the impact of using practical application activities in mathematics as oppose to teaching mathematical concepts in isolation. In schools like Orchard Place elementary, the district has purchased the Pearson enVision math program for teachers to teach the CCSS for mathematics. The lesson plans and exercises available in this program delineates a clinical or linear curriculum for teachers to follow. In this study we will also investigate the implications of using such curriculum, rather than one that uses circular knowledge of other subjects to develop a foundation of number