Learning Algebra is easy with Slim Goodbody s X-Team! For Middle & High School Students Ages 12+ Meet the X-team and join them as they use their logic and problem solving strategies to tackle tough academic challen... more »ges. Together with history's great mathematical minds ... you ll help solve the mystery of ALGEBRA with this fun and innovative path to learning math. 10 Programs in all! Intent and Mathematical Overview of Program: Equations (Abduction) focuses on multiple ways to solve linear equations. These methods include diagram, working backwards, and logical reasoning. Formal algebraic manipulation is not specifically used but it is introduced. Throughout the program, the notion of balance or maintaining the equality is stressed. The program begins with the X-team encountering a situation in which they help Thomas Hariot use a diagram to solve an equation. The diagram uses a balance that is not based on weight but on value. This idea helps students begin to address the need for maintaining equality by removing, adding or substituting equal values on both sides of the equation. As students view the program, this portion of Abduction can be used to show the algebraic representation along with the diagrammatic one. In the second segment of the program, two of the X-team members are placed in a situation where they have to work backwards and use logical reasoning to solve a non-routine problem involving equations. The Pyramid Problem is found in Algebra I: A Process Approach, 2nd edition (Rachlin, Matsumoto, Wada, & Dougherty, 2001). In the pyramids, the amount in a cell is found by adding the values in the two cells above it. Thus equations can be created and solved to find missing values. In Abduction, Marty and Shawna use the pattern to logically think through the solution. Principles and Standards for School Mathematics The Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 2000) includes standards and benchmarks that are related and aligned with the mathematical presentation in this program. These principles and standards have been followed in this program for Grades 6-8 and 9-12.« less
