Real World Math: Engaging Students through Global Issues

Posted by on April 27, 2009

Facing the Future is pleased to announce the release of Real World Math: Engaging Students through Global Issues. This two-part math resource engages students in learning foundational algebra and geometry through real-world data on global issues. The teacher’s guide (http://www.facingthefuture.org/Home/CurriculumDetails/tabid/131/Default.aspx?ItemID=RWM) and corresponding student workbook (http://www.facingthefuture.org/Home/CurriculumDetails/tabid/131/Default.aspx?ItemID=MSW)  contain 15 lessons on topics such as climate change, population, and financial literacy. Each lesson in the teacher’s guide includes:

* A complete lesson plan including an activity-based ‘hook’ to engage students
* Masters for student lesson handouts
* Masters for practice worksheets

All lessons were inspired, researched, designed, reviewed, and pilot tested by educators in the field.

“Using ‘real world’ ideas in math made math meaningful to [students]—they seemed to really care more about the math problems they were working.”
– Math Teacher, Georgia

Built into each lesson are:

* Real-world data
* Contextual math problems
* Step-by-step instructions
* National Council of Teachers of Mathematics standards alignment
* Activity-based lesson ‘hooks’ that grab students’ interest
* Critical thinking
* Collaboration
* Bonus and extension problems
* Action project ideas
* Additional resources

The corresponding Real World Math student workbook (http://www.facingthefuture.org/Home/CurriculumDetails/tabid/131/Default.aspx?ItemID=MSW)  includes lesson handouts, supplemental worksheets, and topical background readings that directly connect with the lessons in the teacher’s guide.

Learn more about this resource and download sample lessons.

http://www.facingthefuture.org

Facing the Future is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and motivating today’s students to be responsible stewards of tomorrow’s world. The organization develops and delivers standards-based hands-on lessons, student textbooks, curriculum units and professional development opportunities for educators that promote critical thinking on global issues, sustainability and positive solutions. Facing the Future curriculum is in use in all 50 U.S. states and more than 85 countries by teachers and students in grades K-12, in undergraduate and graduate classes, and across multiple subject areas.