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text series that support the standards
Posted:
Feb 21, 1995 3:39 PM
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i have seen lots of series, but none comes even close to the comprehensive
school mathematics program (csmp) [NOT to be confused with ucsmp from
chicago] published by the mid continent regional education lab in aurora,
colorado. csmp is a k-6 complete math program that is on the national
diffusion list. to get there they had to demonstrate proof of their
claims. currently undergoing a several million dollar update funded by the
gov't [eisenhower monies], csmp could have written the california
framework and the standards itself. more than fulfilling the objectives in
principle, it fulfills them in practice as well. it is very difficult to
use csmp in a traditional teaching mode.
i urge anyone interested to learn more. there will be a booth at the
boston meeting. talk to clare heidema, head of csmp.
they can be reached at McREL-CSMP, 2550 So Parker Rd, Suite 500; Aurora,
CO 80014. phone: 303-337-0990. they have an e-mail address, but i can't
seem to locate it. my experience with teachers who have taught it is
great, with many primary teachers saying they never liked teaching math
before using csmp. problems i have run into at upper grades center around
the depth of the mathematics--it is very rich. teachers need someone they
can call on if they don't understand some of the math.
depending on your viewpoint, a great asset or an annoying impediment is
that teachers need to take a workshop to facilitate their getting
comfortable with the program. the amazing thing about that workshop--i
have led it many times--is that teachers learn some mathematics in the
process. ["a square is not a rectangle! oh? why not? errrr. well, it just
isn't.] and in the workshop, too, teachers learn how to ask questions that
nurture discussion and the construction of understanding.
elliott bird
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