Too often, mathematics and science are taught in isolation from each other and from meaningful problems that matter to students. This book draws on the authors' experiences with teacher colleagues, including time spent in their classrooms co-developing and refining lessons. The core of their approach is to encourage learners to pursue solutions to everyday challenges through design-based learning cycles. Students use mathematical modeling to describe or summarize a phenomenon, predict which potential solutions may be successful, and/or to test actual performance against predictions. The authors emphasize connecting grade-appropriate science and math content standards and integrating literacy with evidence-based argument through design briefs and presentations. Teachers will learn how to support productive struggle and structure group learning that promotes equity, while teaching in the classroom or virtually as needed.
The middle grades are a pivotal time to engage the next generation so that they are prepared to solve tomorrow's challenges. Classroom teachers, pre-service educators, and faculty in teacher education programs can use Design Thinking in the Middle Grades as a foundational text for math, science, and integrated STEM teaching.
Book Features:
Identifies the content standards, objectives, and practices from math, science, and language arts for each lesson sample.
Combines mathematical modeling with engineering design as a tool to facilitate deep learning.
Offers a range of design activities to produce both artifacts and processes.
Describes design activities focused on easily obtained, inexpensive, or found materials to avoid narrowing access in underfunded schools.
By:
Reagan Curtis,
Darran R. Cairns,
Johnna J. Bolyard
Imprint: Teachers' College Press
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions:
Height: 229mm,
Width: 152mm,
ISBN: 9780807767801
ISBN 10: 0807767808
Pages: 168
Publication Date: 24 March 2023
Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Contents Foreword Introduction Acknowledgements Part I: Understanding the Approach 1. Thinking Differently About Teaching and Learning What It Looks Like in a Real Classroom Why This Book? 2. Engineering Design, Mathematics, Science, and Literacy A Visual Model of Our Approach The Design Process: Dynamic, Iterative Waves of Divergent and Convergent Thinking Integrating Mathematical Modeling, Scientific Challenges, and Literacy Practices 3. Affordances and Supports Supporting Productive Struggle by Learners Promoting Equity in the Classroom Complex Instruction Group Worthy Tasks Status 4. Why Do We Think This Works? Evidence-Based Teaching Practices Evidence Base for Core Components of Our Approach Evidence Base for Bringing It All Together 5. Personifying Best Practices (Re)Designing Industrial Farming in Your State Connecting Theory to Practice Part II: Making It Real 6. Design and Mathematical Modeling From Artifacts to Processes Affordances for Systems-Level Learning across the Artifact-To-Process Continuum Returning to the Grocery Store 7. How Constraints and Criteria Affect Design and Mathematical Modeling How Many Marbles Can You Fit in a Piece of Aluminum Foil Before It Sinks? Keeping a Cold Drink Cold for Longer (Co-Constructing Constraints) 8. Scaffolding Student Learning in Design and Mathematical Modeling Productive Struggle in Design-Based Learning Scaffolding Productive Struggle Strategically Using Formative Assessment Data Giving Students Voice in Design Constraints, Criteria, and Methods of Assessment 9. Design and Mathematical Modeling Across Content Areas and Grade Levels Gingerbread House Lesson (6th Grade Mathematics Class) Predator/Prey Lesson (8th Grade Science Class) Skater Ramp Lesson (7th Grade Mathematics and Science Class) Adapting Design-Based Learning Activities to Your Students 10. Design and Mathematical Modeling Across Instructional Modalities Taking Design-Based Learning Online Examples of Design-Based Learning at a Distance Connecting Examples to Core Components, Affordances, and Supports Part III: Making It Your Own 11. Linking Integrative Series of Design and Mathematical Modeling Activities Problem-Based, Design-Based, and Project-Based Integration Energy and the Environment Thematic Unit Pulling It All Together 12: Address Any Content Standard and Fix Textbook Problems Starting From Standards Starting From Existing Activities or Problems (Re)Designing Effective Teaching Practices Conclusion: The Wicked Problem of Education for All References Index About the Authors
Reagan Curtis is a Chester E. and Helen B. Derrick Endowed Professor of educational psychology in the School of Education and founding director of the Program Evaluation and Research Center at West Virginia University. Darran R. Cairns is faculty in the School of Science and Engineering at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Johnna J. Bolyard is an associate professor of mathematics education in the School of Education at West Virginia University.
