Intger operations are introduced in the sixth grade and continue to cause students problems throughout high school. While calculators are a great tool, students still distribute negative numbers incorrectly. Students should be familiar with solving equations. Students who understand inverse operations will do better with systems of equations. They should also be familiar with solving linear equations. In this article, we will explore how students can use calculators to solve equations. This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional guidance or instruction.
Many educators are reassessing the mathematics standards in the U.S., pointing out the importance of progressing through the five strands of content. One of these strands is the progression of proportional reasoning. The NCTM identifies this strand as one of the five foundations of mathematics. The progression of proportional reasoning in a spiraling format is a key component of the mathematics standards for middle school students.
Among the objectives of the middle school mathematics curriculum are to develop students’ appreciation for problem-solving and increase their confidence in solving math problems. Students should use a collaborative approach to learning, while minimizing barriers to learning. Middle school mathematics teachers should integrate a variety of activities, both virtual and real-world hands-on explorations, and encourage students to learn from their mistakes. The best approach to teaching middle school mathematics is one that allows students to take ownership of the learning process.
The PRAXIS Middle School Mathematics examination is designed to measure the students’ mathematical understanding and ability to tackle the challenges of the middle school classroom. It comprises of 55 questions and is administered using a computer. The questions on the exam are divided into three categories based on how students use math. Some of them may be multiple choice or require students to zoom in on details. Others may require a student to click boxes next to all the items that apply to them. Some questions may even require students to select an answer from a drop-down menu.