Math Stories for Problem Solving Success: Ready-to-Use Activities for Grades 7-12 - Softcover

Overholt, James L.; Aaberg, Nancy H.; Lindsey, James

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0876285701 ISBN 13: 9780876285701

Publisher: Jossey-Bass, 1989

Synopsis

Here are 51 interesting, true-to-life situations to motivate teenagers to apply math skills for solving everyday problems. For example, in the story "The Challenge" students use decimals and averages as they compare rival football teams' statistics. In "An Interesting Loan", they get practical experience working with money as they help Mike figure out how to pay for a new dirt bike. Each reproducible story is followed by three increasingly difficult groups of problems that focus on the same math topic, making it easy for students of all ability levels to develop the math skills being stressed in the lesson.

About this title

From the Back Cover

Here are over 60 reproducible, high-involvement stories-each with a variety of corresponding math problems-designed to help junior and senior highschool student develop the mathematic skills they need to solve problems in estimation, formulating averages and percentages, fraction and whole number figuring, consumer math, and much more.

For example, in the story The Challenge, students learn to use decimals and averages as they compare the Central High football team's statistics to their uncoming opponent's statistics. Students then apply the rules of probability to their findings to predict the final score.

In Homecoming, students get hands-on practice using a calculator and developing geometry skills as they figure out a budget and time schedule for Tessa's trip to see old friends.

In An Interesting Loan, students get practical experience working with money, figuring percentages, and computing interest as they help Mike figure out a way to pay for a new dirt bike.

In Jake Turns the Corner, students get valuable practice using consumer math skills as they follow Jake through the process of opening a new bank account.

Each of the guide's 60 stories is followed by three increasingly difficult groups of problems that focus on the same math topic, making it easy for students of all ability levels to develop the math skills being emphasized in the lesson. And each combination of story and problems allows for mixed practice of various math skills, so constant reinforcement is provided.

What's more, the ready-to-use format of this valuable resource makes it easy to incorporate these stories into your teaching program.

In addition, this guidebook features a unique "emphasis matrix" that helps you quickly pinpoint the reading level of ech story, and exactly which math skills will be used in solving the corresponding problems. An answer key that includesd not only answers, but also explanations and background information, can be used by both you and your students.

About the Author

James L. Overholt, Ed.D (University of Wyoming, Laramie) has over 20 years' of experience as a public school teacher and educator. He began his career teaching in the public schools of LeSuer and Albert Lea, Minnesota, then served as a mathematics teacher/coordinator and instructor in Elementary and Junior High School Education at the University School, University of Wyoming. Presently Dr. Overholt is a Professor of Education at California State University, Chico, where he specializes in mathematics education for both practicing and perspective teachers.

Nancy H. Aaberg, M.Ed, (California State University, Chico) has over 15 years' experience as a public high school mathematic teacher, athletic director, and activities director in Marysville, California. Presently Mrs. Aaberg is a mathematics teacher and consultant in Yuba City, California.

James F. Lindsey, Ed.D. (University of California, Berkeley) has over 20 years' experience as a teacher and administrator in public school. He taught in the upper grades of the elementary school, high school music, social studies, and mathematics, and was a principal. In addition, he serves as a Professor of Education for 21 years at California State University, Chico, at which he is now Professor Emeritus. He has also taught at Christchurch Teachers' College, New Zealand, and at St. Patrick's College, Dublin, Ireland.

Edition details

• Publisher: Jossey-Bass
• Publication date: 1989
• ISBN 10: 0876285701
• ISBN 13: 9780876285701
• Binding: Spiral-bound
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 250