GOALS
The Robert Moses Algebra Project is a national movement at the cutting edge of mathematics reform. The goal of the program is to have as many students as possible prepared for algebra by the end of 8th grade. In keeping with this goal, as an Algebra Project site, ACCESS actively trains teachers in the use of a five-step curricular process. This method leads the students from a common shared experience to mathematical representation of concepts critical to success in Algebra. As a 6th and 7th grade curriculum the Algebra Project can be a cornerstone for middle school mathematics programs integrating this program with other reform minded curriculum at their schools.
TEACHER TRAINING
Teachers are trained for 10 days during the summer. Implementation Specialists who are trained Algebra Project teachers provide support during the year with follow-up workshops. A team of teachers from one school participate in the training together. They are encouraged to meet on a weekly basis at their site during the school year to support implementation.
CURRICULUM
The Algebra Project, uses field trips to develop the mathematical concepts. Operations with integers and use of variables are important components of the curriculum and are often the most difficult concepts for algebra students to master. Moses leads students away from the "take-away" arithmetic model to a "comparison" algebraic model that includes direction as part of the model. This new construct provides an intuitive understanding that diffuses the difficulties many students experience when grappling with algebraic logic.
At the heart of The Algebra Project is the five-step curricular process:
I. A common shared experience.
II. A graphic or pictorial representation of the experience.
III. A written expression of the experience.
IV. Development of the "structured" mathematical language embedded in the experience.
V. Creating mathematical symbolic representations of the experience.
This process allows the students to be actively engaged in their own learning as they do hands on activities, write, discuss, and group presentations of their work. Nationally recognized to meet the national standards upon which the California Framework is written, The Algebra Project specifically addresses the needs of minority children. Robert Moses developed The Algebra Project in response to concerns about the quality of math for his own children. Since the project uses the experiences of the students in developing the math, The Algebra Project is truly a multi-cultural curriculum able to reach all students from very diverse backgrounds.