[NIFL-4EFF:2890] Using Math to Solve Problems and Communicate Performance Continuum

From: Donna Curry (donnac@gwi.net)
Date: Thu Dec 02 2004 - 09:44:00 EST


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From: "Donna Curry" <donnac@gwi.net>
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Subject: [NIFL-4EFF:2890] Using Math to Solve Problems and Communicate Performance Continuum
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In recent weeks, there have been several postings to other practitioner 
listservs regarding "math".  It made me begin to wonder what people who are 
somewhat familiar with EFF know and understand about the EFF Standard Use 
Math to Solve Problems and Communicate or about the Performance Continuum 
that supports the Standard.

I think that the Use Math Standard and accompanying Performance Continuum 
pushes us to think differently - not just about the math that we teach, but 
WHEN it is taught and HOW it is taught.

For example, many of us had to learn our "basic facts" before we were 
allowed to move to seemingly more difficult concepts such as fractions, 
decimals, or percents.  Geometry concepts, data and statistics, and algebra 
were all considered much more advanced topics and were relegated to the back 
of the math book. I wonder how many of us got stuck and never made it to the 
"back of the book"??

If you haven't looked at the EFF Use Math to Solve Problems and Communicate 
Performance Continuum, I encourage you to do so at 
http://eff.cls.utk.edu/assessment/math5.htm.  Begin by just looking at the 
skills, knowledge, and strategies needed for level 1.  What strikes you 
about what's required of learners at that level that is different from our 
own experiences with learning math?

I would enjoy hearing your comments.
Donna


Donna Curry
EFF Facilitator
Center for Training and Technical Assistance
Center for Literacy Studies
University of Tennessee 



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