Math Buddies

A Model Program

for Mathematics Achievement

Developed By: Dr. Carol RezbaMathematics Educator

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What is Math Buddies?

Math Buddies is a program designed to provide

high-quality

extended academic support

in mathematics

to struggling learners.

What is Math Buddies?

Math Buddies was developed as a tutoring program.

It was also developed so that volunteers from strong business and community partnerships could easily tutor students.

These volunteers help at-risk third- and fifth-grade students achieve the Mathematics Standards of Learning.

What Does Research Say?

Research shows that tutoring programs that utilize volunteers,

who use lessons prepared by certified teachers, have had significant success in improving the basic skills of at-risk children. – National Research Council. (2001) Adding it up: Helping

children learn mathematics. Kilpatrick, et. al.

Initial Phase of Math Buddies

November, 2002 - August, 2003 Math Buddies Funded by the Virginia Business-Education Partnership

Involved schools in three communities - Richmond, Portsmouth, and Amherst

Exemplary Partnership

Universal Corporation and Maymont Elementary School

Universal Corporation made it possible for employees to leave work to tutor students during the extended day program at Maymont

Maymont’s extended day program was supported by PASS Initiative funds

Typical Volunteer Experience

Check-In at Main Office Pick Up the Materials from

On-Site Coordinator Gather Their Two Math Buddies Go to an Assigned Location

What Do Volunteers Do?

Volunteers instruct two third or fifth grade students in mathematics skills and concepts related to the Virginia Standards of Learning

What Time is It?

Lesson Introduction

Lesson # 7 Area and Volume Goals: ⟨ Determine the area of a given surface on geoboards and grid paper by counting the number of unit tiles or square units needed to cover the surface.

⟨ Determine the volume of cubes, rectangular boxes, and models by counting the number of cubes needed to build it.

Vocabulary: ⟨ Area – The number of square units needed to cover a figure, or more precisely, it is the measure in square units of the interior region of a two-dimensional figure.

⟨ Volume – The number of cubic units needed to fill a solid. Related SOL : 2.13 The student, given grid paper, will estimate and then count the number of square units

needed to cover a given surface in order to determine area. 2.14 The student will estimate and then count the number of cubes in a rectangular box in order

to determine volume. Materials: ⟨ 40 one-inch tiles ⟨ 2 Geoboards with rubber bands ⟨ 60 Cubes ⟨ Area Concentration Cards

What Do the Volunteers Do?

Volunteers provide instruction through “hands-on” / “minds-on” activities involving

problem solving,

math manipulatives,

and games.

Materials for Volunteers

Scripted lessons are provided for the volunteers who normally work with the same two students during each lesson throughout the year.

The script includes the dialogue, questions and answers, and background information so that a few minutes to review the lesson is all that is necessary for preparation to tutor.

Scripted Lesson & Manipulatives

Activity 1.2: Area on the Geoboard (7 minutes) 1. Take out a geoboard and rubber bands for each child. Ask the students to:

Turn to Lesson #7: Student Activity #1: Area on the Geoboard.

2. Ask students to: Make shape A on your geoboard using the rubber bands. Then, place the one-inch tiles inside the figure. How do you find the area of a figure? (You can count the number of square units inside a figure to find its area.)

3. Students may need some help copying the figures from the activity sheet to

the geoboard. Others may need assistance putting the rubber bands on the geoboard, while others may need your guidance when counting the number of tiles to find the area of the figure. Then ask: What is the area of Figure A? (4 square units)

4. Repeat the procedure for figures B – F.

a. Make figure __ on your geoboard using the rubber bands. b. Place the one-inch tiles inside the figure. c. How do you find the area of a figure? (You can count the

number of square units inside a figure to find its area.) d. What is the area of figure ___?

Answers to Student Activity #1: Area on the Geoboard

A. 4 square units B. 9 square units C. 6 square units D. 9 square units

Materials for Volunteers

Student each have an activity book containing all the printed student lesson materials

Related math materials are organized for each lesson in expandable file folders usually stored in accessible file cabinets

Volunteers pick up their student’s books and the appropriate expandable file folder for their lesson

Make each shape on your geoboard. Find the area of each figure by determining how many square tiles are needed to cover each shape. Figure A: AREA=______square units Figure B: AREA=______square units

Figure C: AREA=______square units Figure D: AREA=______square units

Lesson #7: Student Activity #1Area on the Geoboard

Instructional Games –Making Math Fun

Area = 6 Square Units

Area = 7 Square Units

Area = 5 Square Units

Area = 3 Square Units

Area = 10 Square Units

Area = 15 Square Units

AREA

CONCENTRATION

What Do the Volunteers Do?

Check their Math Buddies’ understanding of the concepts presented in the lesson using a variety of SOL Assessments.

Provide feedback on the Student’s Record Card regarding their perception of the student’s understanding of the concepts and skills. This evaluation is done by using a rating scale of 1 to 4.

End-of-Lesson AssessmentsJ) 1

2.)

Support for Volunteers

An on-site Math Buddies Coordinator supports the volunteers’ efforts by:– Pairing volunteers with students – Arranging a weekly time and an in-

school location for tutoring – Distributing the materials – Identifying a sequences of study– Answering math questions if they arise

How Does a Math Buddy Help?

By tutoring two students in mathematics for forty-five minutes to one-and-one-half hours per week for 20-30 weeks based upon the time allotment for the program

(Note: In some situations, a volunteer may choose to pair with another volunteer to share these responsibilities.)

Volunteer’s Contributions

Assisting students in mastering the mathematics concepts and skills related to the Virginia Standards of Learning

Supporting teachers and the school by increasing students’ performance on the Virginia SOL tests

Increasing the student’s enjoyment of mathematics

Volunteer’s Contributions

Providing valuable information about the relevance of mathematics to their life and career

Serving as a positive adult role model and mentor to youth

Volunteer’s Contributions

Strengthening community involvement in public education

Strengthening school/community relationships and communication

Volunteer’s Contributions

Math Buddy Partnerships

Businesses and Corporations State Agencies Local Sororities Local Church Groups Retired Teachers High School Honor Society Students College Student Volunteers

Pilot Results: Jan.– June 2003

Results of Pilot Study Revealed Significant Gains in Mathematics for Participating Students (Borderline Students: 2nd – 4th quartile)

Data: Over 70% of the Math Buddies students passed their SOL math tests during ½ year pilot study

Sample of School Data Changes

Significant Increase w/ Math Buddies

Ch3 Mm3 Mc3 Ch5 Mm5 Mc5Before MB 31 48 65 55 43 51With Pilot 77 79 - 60 67 -2003/4MB 88 89 88 85 73 832004/5MB 93 96 91 85 92 84

Chimborazo (Ch)– Richmond City Maymont (Mm)- Richmond City Machen (Mc)- Hampton City

% of Students Passing

Math Buddies Pass SOL!

Significant numbers of borderline students pass their SOL math testsData: Chimborazo-Over 85% in 2003, 86% in 2004, and 87% in 2005 -Math Buddies who passed their Math SOL Test!

Current Data

Data: Now averaging over 85% of Math Buddies passing their SOL math tests –these are students that were not expected to pass!!

Partnerships with Consistent Volunteer Support Produce the Strongest Results

Weekly Math Buddies tutoring is having significant positive impact on student achievement

What Tutors Say!!!

“We just can’t wait to open up the expandable folder to see what manipulatives we will work with today!”

“I just love tutoring in this program – I think I am making a difference for my math buddies -and the personal rewards are tremendous!”

Volunteer Today!!!

Develop a Math Buddies Partnership with your local elementary school!

Become a Volunteer and make a difference for a child struggling

to achieve in mathematics. The rewards are tremendous!!

DOE Approval of Math Buddies

Math Buddies has been approved by the Virginia

Department of Education for Models/Programs That Have

ProvenTo Be Successful With

Low Achieving Students

Purchasing Materials

Materials can be purchased from:Math Buddies2301 Stemwell Blvd.Richmond, VA 23236

Obtain further information:– Web: http://www.MathBuddies.net– Phone: 804-745-4144– E-mail: Math_Buddies@comcast.net

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