Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/5535
issue for the black community. If we don’t get it, we’re headed for a new form of serfdom.” Through his work and his book, Radical Equation: Civil Rights From Mississippi to the Al- gebra Project, Moses has set the stage for disadvantaged youth to gain that access. The three Twin Rivers teach- ers involved in the program took a two-week intensive at the Alge- bra Project’s Summer Institute in Chicago this summer and will continue to take monthly profes- sional development trainings. Gallimore is pleased with her students’ progress so far. “It’s the first time I’ve gotten kids to un- derstand that negative 4 is small- er than negative 1,” she said. Now students are “mathema- tizing” sentences from stories and turning them into algebraic equa- tions; learning about order of op- erations through a cookie-baking session in the classroom; and touring Old Town Sacramento to create a “trip line” in which stu- dents chart their steps to learn about positive and negative num- bers, and later writing about their experiences on worksheets. An- other recent project involved in- vestigating the Chinese Zodiac to help understand the concept of “remainder.” An upcoming lesson will bring a locally known percus- sionist into the classroom to teach math through the rhythms of Af- rican drumming. Gaining more confidence in math has also given students more confidence in the class. One recent afternoon, an autistic student who had not previously spoken in class stood up to talk about an answer to a problem he had worked out. Kim Rohall, a special educa- tion teacher who works with learning disabled children from pre-kindergarten to sixth grade, has also seen progress with her students. “To me, this is huge. The students are really engaged, and they are getting it,” she re- ported. “Parents are calling me and asking, ‘Is my kid really doing that?’” Since the program was just implemented in the fall, it has yet to be determined if it will boost test scores, but teachers are hopeful, and researchers at UC Davis are closely monitor- ing the project and collecting data to determine if introducing algebra at an earlier age is effi- cacious. The researchers will al- so work with the teachers to help them conduct their own research, which will be useful for others down the line. Yet another important aspect of the program is to encourage students to think about college — and to take them on field trips to college campuses. Students have already visited Sierra Col- lege, a local community college in Rocklin, and in February will take a trip to UC Davis. As part of these exercises, they are asked to write about their goals and obstacles, and how they might overcome them. Not to be lost in the pedago- gy is the community organizing aspect of the project. It is hoped that as parents get more in- volved in the school, they will become advocates for improve- ments in public education. In addition to the family math nights, parents will be urged to attend other meetings where they will hopefully build rela- tions with one another and learn to become a stronger force in the community. dina martin To read more about the Allison Algebra Project, visit CTA’s Institute for Teaching at www. teacherdrivenchange.org. Credential, Certificate and Professional Development Programs at Your Fingertips! Online Classes Available! Accessible and Affordable Online Programs for K-12 and Postsecondary Educators New Courses Beginning Every Month— Most Programs can be Completed in Under One Year Interactive, Research-Based Programs with Practical Classroom Application Programs include: • California Clear Credential (Ryan and SB 2042) • CLAD Through CTEL • CCTC-Approved Reading Certificate • Career and Technical Education (CTE) • College Counseling • Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) • Teaching Adult Learners • Teaching Online • Professional Development/Salary Point Coursework For more information about online programming available at UC San Diego Extension, please contact Morgan Appel, Director of Education at: (858) 964-1064 or mappel@ucsd.edu or visit: extension.ucsd.edu/education december 2009 • january 2010 | www.cta.org 25 FA09-2032