Authors

Glenda Lappan, James T. Fey, William M. Fitzgerald, Susan N. Friel, and Elizabeth Difanis Phillips

For detailed queries about CMP, refer to the CMP Web site at Michigan State University, a rich resource of information about the CMP instructional model and mathematical content.

The Accolades for CMP Keep Pouring In!

The US Department of Education announced that CMP is one of five curricula to achieve exemplary status. Of the 61 programs reviewed by the Department, only 5 received the highest recognition of "exemplary." Connected Mathematics is the only middle school program identified as exemplary! Information about the study is available by calling 877-433-7827 for a free publication of this report.

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) rated CMP the highest of twelve middle school mathematics curricula, stating that it "contains both in-depth mathematics content and excellent instructional support."

For information about ordering, or to request a sample or catalog, contact your local Prentice Hall sales representative or call 1-800-848-9500.

What Is CMP?

Unique Development Process

The Connected Mathematics Project (CMP) was developed at Michigan State University starting in 1991 with funds from the National Science Foundation. Materials for each grade level (from grade six through grade eight) were developed over a three- to four-year span, each year consisting of development, feedback, assessment, and refinement. Materials were field-tested by 160 teachers with some 45,000 students in urban, inner city, suburban, and rural schools across the United States. During this time there was extensive evaluation of student performance and change in teacher practice.

Program Philosophy

The Connected Mathematics curriculum is organized around appealing and engaging problems. In solving these problems, students observe and generalize patterns and relationships, a process vital to acquiring a solid understanding of mathematical ideas. Through Connected Mathematics, your middle school students become better thinkers, doers, and communicators. This complete, classroom-tested, middle school curriculum is rich in its connections:

• among the core ideas of mathematics
• between mathematics and other school subjects
• among classroom activities and the interests of middle school students
• between mathematics and its applications outside of the classroom

Content

Connected Mathematics is a complete curriculum for Grades 6–8, addressing in depth these four mathematical strands:

• number
• geometry and measurement
• algebra
• data analysis and probability

Student Materials

Connected Mathematics is organized by grade level, with eight units for each grade level. Each unit is developed around a series of investigations that emphasize a major concept or cluster of concepts. Students count, visualize, compare, measure, model, reason, play, and use calculators, software, and manipulatives to explore mathematics. Problems based on real contexts, familiar and fun settings, or interesting situations to engage students' interest.

Teacher Materials

A comprehensive Teacher's Guide for each unit features built-in professional development material, including:

• outlines of teaching plans
• reduced student pages with answers
• homework problem lists
• notes on the mathematics underlying the investigations, with detailed instructional strategies
• assessment-journals, homework, quizzes, tests, projects, and a student self-assessment component
• blackline masters for additional practice, transparencies and lab sheets

In addition to the Teacher's Guides, a program manual, Getting to Know Connected Mathematics introduces the program, outlines the content and goals, and provides a structured pedagogy.