Investigations Math EXTRA-CREDIT

What?

Investigations math is a concept in which students spend time exploring problems in depth. They are able to find more than one solution to the different problems they are working on. Students are also encouraged to develop his or her own strategies and approaches to mathematical relationships based on his or her knowledge and understanding of mathematics. Students are encouraged to express his or her mathematical thinking through drawing, writing, or talking. Students work on investigations math in a variety of ways. They work individually, in pairs, as a whole classroom, or in small groups. They are encouraged to move around throughout the classroom as they explore mathematics in his or her environment and engage in conversations with his or her peers about math. Educators are not concerned that students memorize his or her basic math skills; such as adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing. Students are encouraged to investigate math through problems solving skills and understand numbers in relationship with his or her environment. Those who are in favor of investigations math says that it eliminates barriers for students such as; isolation from peers, speed, memorization, or excluding a student from participating successfully in mathematics.

What Happened
The investigations math which was implemented in Alpine school district did not work as well as it was expected to. The basic ideas of mathematics were not being taught said concerned parents. Children were being taught concepts of math and demonstrating those concepts, but there was just not enough emphasis on basic arithmetic. Articles which I read regarding Alpine school district stated that many students who had been enrolled in investigations math were not able to count money or tell time when they were in fifth grade. There were many people who suggested that both investigations math and standardized mathematics would work well together, but investigations math on its own is not sufficient for a student to learn mathematics.

Now What?

With all of the new technologies and teaching strategies it is hard for a teacher or a school district to know what is best for their students. Although investigations math should have not been allowed to be used for as long as it was. Students needed structure with in math to help them understand that there are correct solutions for things and that although they may think they are right about a concept in math they may be thinking about it incorrectly. Students should be allowed to explore and find ideas on his or her own, but there should also be structure in which students are provided the correct information if they are off the mark on ideas or principles regarding a concept in math. Alpine school district had good intentions when investigations math was put into effect, but it was allowed to go on for too long before the district intervened. Alpine school district gave teachers the opportunity to choose between the two programs of mathematics. As of now Alpine school district has no longer uses investigations math, which failed horribly.