An Exploration into Three Sets of Mathematics Texts, and Three Pedagogical Factors that Could Make Students Successful

Abstract

This is a brief investigation into the strengths and weaknesses of three different sets of mathematics texts. The first is Singapore Math, a series for kindergarten through 6th grade that hails from Singapore, a country that consistently performs well in international mathematics tests. The second is Everyday Mathematics, a reform math program from the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project, also for kindergarten through 6th grade. The final series comes from the Core-Plus Mathematics Project, based in Kalamazoo, Michigan at Western Michigan University. The Core-Plus texts are intended for high school students. Each of these series reflects the opinions and philosophies of their respective programs concerning the three pedagogical factors. The first factor is the concrete, representational, abstract technique, the second is the use o( technology, and the third is the idea of student-centered versus teacher-centered classrooms.