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| Comprehensive School Mathematics Program (CSMP). An exciting, complete elementary-level mathematics curriculum with a focus on problem solving and concept development, promoting critical thinking as well as teaching basic skills. |
Audience Approved as a complete mathematics curriculum for students of all abilities, grades K-6. Comprehensive School Mathematics Program (CSMP) addresses the objectives of Goals 3 and 5 of the National Goals for Education by strengthening mathematics education throughout the system, by improving student performance in mathematics, and by providing substantive mathematics background for teachers.
Description An underlying assumption of the Comprehensive School Mathematics Program (CSMP) curriculum is that children can learn and can enjoy learning much more mathematics than they do now. Unlike most modern programs, the content is presented not as an artificial structure external to the experience of children, but rather as an extension of experiences children have encountered in their development, both at the real-life and fantasy levels. Using a "pedagogy of situations," children are led through sequences of problem-solving experiences presented in game-like and story settings. It is CSMP's strong conviction that mathematics is a unified whole and should be learned as such. Consequently, the content is completely sequenced in spiral form so that each student is brought into contact with each area of content continuously throughout the program while building interlocking experiences of increasing sophistication as the situations become more challenging.
A feature unique to CSMP is the use of nonverbal languages that give children immediate access to mathematical ideas and methods necessary not only for solving problems, but also for continually expanding their understanding of the mathematical concepts themselves. Through these languages the curriculum acts as a vehicle that engages children immediately and naturally with the content of mathematics and its applications without cumbersome linguistic prerequisites. Other tools, such as the Papy Minicomputer, the hand-held calculator, various geometry tools, and random devices are used extensively throughout the curriculum to pose problems, explore concepts, develop skills, and define new ideas.
CSMP is flexible enough to facilitate whole-group, small-group, and individualized instruction. It is appropriate for all children including specialized audiences such as gifted, compensatory, and bilingual. It recognizes the importance of affective as well as cognitive concerns and has been developed and extensively tested in classrooms nationwide.
Evidence of Effectiveness CSMP students do better in applying mathematics to new problem situations and in using various reasoning skills. They learn traditional mathematics skills and concepts as well as or better than comparable non-CSMP students, and they show a higher level of enthusiasm and interest in mathematics.
Requirements School systems and CSMP agree on an implementation plan that provides for the training of teachers, the evaluation of the program, and support services. The school system appoints a local coordinator who maintains contact with CSMP as a member of the CSMP Network.
Costs Training costs are negotiable but usually include a trainer's travel expenses and/or training fee of $150/day. Workshop materials average approximately $5/participant. Complete sets of classroom materials for full class implementations cost (start-up) from $160 (K-level) to $460 (grade 6).
Services Awareness materials are available at no cost. With advance notice, arrangements can be made for visitors to observe the program in use in a variety of sites. Program staff are available to attend out-of-state awareness meetings. Training is conducted at the program site or at the adopter site. Implementation and follow-up services are available to adopters.
Developmental Funding: USOE ESEA Titles III & IV, National Institute of Education.
JDRP No. 78-169R (3/17/78)
Recertified (4/7/92)
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[Decision-Making Math (DMM)]