A THREE WEEK MATHEMATICS CLINIC for GRADES 4 and 5

Why this proposal?
The United States is facing a critical shortage of graduates who major in mathematics, science, engineering, and technology. As children progress through the educational system, far too many shy away from science and mathematics. Other nations, particularly in Asia, have far more success in producing successful students with strong backgrounds in science and mathematics.

This proposal presents The Mathematics Room Project, a three-week enrichment program that stresses mastering mathematical skills that underpin success in higher mathematics and ultimately, in high tech and mathematics centered jobs. But to no lesser degree, it addresses social responsibilities and the CITY's rich cultural heritage.

THE PROJECT DESCRIPTION

What is The Mathematics Room Project?
The Mathematics Room Project (TMRP) is a three-week summer enrichment program that stresses

• fluency with whole numbers,
• mastery of fractions,
• relationships to others and to the XXXXXXX neighborhood,
• City's rich musical heritage.

Why are these emphases over others?
In a recent Washington Post article, a presidential panel of mathematicians, education experts and psychologists reported that, students need a deeper understanding of fluency with whole numbers and fractions, if they are to be success in completing Algebra II. Further, the panel stressed, that many students are befuddled by fractions. A fundamental focus of TMRP is to develop fluency of whole numbers and mastery of fractions, thereby responding, to correct the problems identified by the presidential panel.

"Market emphasis" is a fact of life. We approach education, the arts and even our spiritual institutions with a business plan. This approach has its advantages but it reduces all things to a bottom line mentality. Often in human endeavors, the process leading to the bottom line is as important as the bottom line, for example, in building relationships, in working in team, in caring for others, in caring for things over which we have charge, in developing plans for the future, etc. In all a spirit is built that is necessary to relate to others as well as our community. TMRP will teach participants to solve mathematical problems within a group structure, thus highlighting the importance of relationships and highlighting our responsibilities in human affairs.

What is the teaching philosophy of TMRP?
The teaching philosophy of TMRP is rooted in the famed Singapore Method of teaching mathematics. Like the Singapore approach, TMRP focuses on teaching mathematical thinking to produce mathematical thinkers. It does this, by walking the learner through all the components of a problem and then presenting her with the whole problem to solve; all done, with the learner's preparation in mind while poised to elevate her to the next level.

Is this method better than the traditional?
The Mathematics Room Project believes and data shows this method is optimal for learning "how to" frame a problem in a concrete stage, and then, " how to" usher the learner into the abstract stage, thereby enabling him to learn mathematics in a meaningful way. It encourages an active thinking process, effective problem solving skills and clear communication of mathematical ideas. All of the attributes are necessary to develop a foundation that students need to successfully study more advanced mathematics.

TMRP supports this method with outstanding, experienced, caring teachers and with excellent textbooks and workbooks that stresses the

Concrete→ Pictorial→ Abstract approach.

Is the Singapore Method proven?
Since 1995, Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study tests (TIMSS) have been administered to students of thirty-six developed nations. These nations used the TIMSS test to measure the success of its student preparations in mathematics and the sciences. Singapore, a small nation of 45 million, has never scored less than first position in the TIMSS test, while the United States has never placed higher than 16th position.

Follow-up results of the TIMSS attest that students taught by the Singapore method have a higher success rate in completing algebra and higher mathematics.

Who will lead the Mathematics Room Project?
The Director and Coordinator of The Mathematics Room Project, XXXXX, have acclaimed success in directing mathematics enrichment programs.

The support staff includes XXXXXX - a retired third grade teacher of 32 years experience, having taught 35 years at the XXXXXX, one of California's few Distinguished Schools.

Where will the program be held?
The XXXXXX Church has committed to host The Mathematics Room Project. This Christian institution has ministered to the XXXXXXXX Community for XXX years.

How will the participants be recruited?
Thirty students will be recruited by invitations sent to:

• Area churches
• Area recreations facilities
• Advertisements in the City Observer
• The CITY NEWSPAPER

PROJECT NEEDS

The Mathematics Room Project needs:
· meeting space to accommodate 30 children
· eight tables: seating four per table
· Singapore Method

mathematics workbooks: grades 4 through 5
teacher manuals: grades 4 through 5

· cost of admittance for 30 participants to:

one Sacramento Philharmonic performance
one Sacramento Choral performance

BENEFICARIES OF THE PROJECT

The Students: The immediate beneficiaries of the project are its participants. Mastery of problem solving skills enhances student self-esteem and cementing student-school bonds. Studies have demonstrated that girls having strong mathematics skills tend to resist predatory male advances and amoral peer pressure. In like manner, boys having strong mathematics skills and strong parental guidance tend to successfully shun gang advances. Thus, TMRP will be another effort to engage students in academic life and to build a student more resistant to social distractions.

Over the years, students trained under the Singapore Method boast high rates of success in higher mathematics. Algebra II, the gateway to higher mathematics, is a proven predictor of success in college. The recent Washington Post article reported that The National Mathematics Advisory Panel - the Presidential Panel composed of mathematicians, educators and psychologists - declared that success in Algebra II is predicated upon mastering fractions and fluency in whole number operations; primary focus topics of The Mathematics Room Project. Thus, TMRP is another local effort to increase the number of students who earn successful completion in Algebra II, and thus earn success in college.

The Society is a long-range beneficiary of TMRP. As problem solving is a necessary prelude to develop a thoughtful citizenry, and as thoughtful citizens build strong and safe communities, The Mathematics Room Project will take part in providing the citizens for better City communities.

The Country: The science and medical communities of the United States have experienced a severe shortage of prepared graduates in science and mathematics, due in large part to the poor performances in the sciences and mathematics. This is visibly reflected in the medical, computer science and engineering communities. The Mathematics Room Project is a Sacramento effort to increase the number of U.S. students who are successful in Algebra II, and hence increasing the number of candidates in the medical, mathematics and science pipeline.

FITS TO FUNDING AGENT MISSION.

As The Mathematics Room Project is a program with an academic,
cultural and social impact that targets bettering students in a particular City neighborhood, it is consonant with the vision of FUNDING AGENT. to develop awareness and care for neighborhoods.

It does this:

• By teaching its participants to master mathematics identified as a building block to success in college.

• Through its planned ice cream social in the local park.

• With scheduled attendances to a performance of the City Philharmonic and the City Chorale Society.

Familiarity breeds acceptance. So during its instruction time, TMRP will play as background music those selections designated by the City Philharmonic and City Chorale Society to be performed during the scheduled attendance of TMRP. This predisposition to the selected music provides for greater student enjoyment as they witness familiar music dramatized in a cultural setting.

Our activities will be held in the XXXXXXXX Church facilities. This structure is a recognized historic landmark to the neighborhood. Gaining life changing academic experiences, while experiencing positive events and joyful times in a place of historic value in one's neighborhood promotes positive and manifold connections to the neighborhood, thus this program fits the vision of FUNDING AGENT.

AFTER TMRP, WHAT THEN?

After the program, our participants will have:

• learned "how to" learn mathematics.
• mastered mathematics crucial to learn higher mathematics.
• a better appreciation of mathematics, and stronger self-esteem.
• experienced great music performed by local musicians.
• recognized the historic value and importance of the building that housed project.

In summary, our participants will have exposures that communities desire of its youth.

REQUESTED FUNDS

The Mathematics Room Project requests $ xxxxxx to cover operational expenses, student textbooks, student workbooks, teacher instruction manuals, 12 nutritious snack for 30 students, transportation cost to the music events, t-shirts that stress TMRP common focus and fosters a sense of belonging; and certificates of completion.

FIELD TRIPS

The Project Director will coordinate all field trips during the project year.

PROPERTIES OF THE MATHEMATICS ROOM PROJECT

All properties of The Mathematics Room Project, except student workbooks, revert to FUNDING AGENT. upon cessation of the project.