Inside the Envelope: Describing the Influence of Curriculum Materials on Enacted Lessons

• In Event: Hilton Roundtable Session 20
  In Roundtable Session: Strategies and Tools for Supporting the Teaching and Learning of Mathematics

Abstract

This study introduces measurable characteristics that can be used to describe the set of lessons that reflect the mathematical and learning goals of written curriculum materials (referred to as the “curriculum envelope”). Using a framework that conceptualizes mathematical content of a lesson as a mathematical story, we demonstrate how the common story characteristics (percentage of extended story arcs, mean length of an arc, mean number of codes per story arc, mean coded acts per arc, and mean density of arcs in a given act) can be used to describe the curriculum envelope. We highlight the significant role curriculum materials play in how mathematical story arcs emerge and are addressed, and what questions are available for students in the classroom.

Authors

• Leslie Dietiker, Boston University

• Elyssa Miller, Lasell College

• Aaron Brakoniecki, Boston University

• Meghan Riling, Boston University