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Maneuvers with Mathematics (MWM) Home Page

The University of Illinois at Chicago-Maneuvers with Mathematics Project

The University of Illinois at Chicago-Maneuvers with Mathematics (UIC-MWM) project is a teaching and materials development project for grades four through nine. UIC-MWM has developed nine replacement units through two major National Science Foundation (NSF) grants. These replacement units are available from Dale Seymour Publications.

In 1994, the U.S. Department of Education’s Program Effectiveness Panel validated UIC-MWM as an "exemplary" mathematics program.

What are the philosophy, goals, and objectives of the UIC-MWM program?
UIC-MWM aims to enhance young America’s interest in mathematics. Either individually, or in small cooperative groups, the child should be in charge of his/her own investigation, guided by carefully sequenced activities. This investigation is improved by a laboratory of manipulatives surrounding the child. UIC-MWM presents thought-provoking, original problems with manipulatives rather than routine drill exercises. In addition, students learn through a hands-on discovery instead of rote memorization of formulas.

How does UIC-MWM meet the NCTM Standards?
The NCTM recommendations are heavily incorporated throughout the UIC-MWM materials. UIC-MWM materials emphasize the use of calculators, mathematical reasoning, problem solving, communication about mathematics, estimation, and serious explanation of geometry and measurement. Each child uses their UIC-MWM student lab book as a primary laboratory. In the Student Lab Book, students draw sketches and scale drawings, cut out manipulatives, and collect data from their daily environment. UIC-MWM students rely on the once common tools of elementary mathematics: ruler, compass, protractor, and scissors. Before they examine the abstract, students build a concrete foundation with manipulatives. Students continuously discuss their ideas, make arguments, and validate their thinking. The content of the Maneuvers with Mathematics Student Lab Books is described in detail on the Eisenhower National Clearinghouse Resource Finder.

What are the needs of the school community which motivated the development of this program?
UIC-MWM was established to address a variety of needs in the school community:

  • Make steady use of full-function (scientific) calculators
    Increasingly, teachers are expected to use calculators in their mathematics instruction. Since staff development and instructional materials incorporating scientific calculators were not accessible, teachers found it difficult to incorporate this technology. UIC-MWM addressed this need by developing thought-provoking mathematical activities that make use of the calculator as an instructional tool.

  • Enrich the content of middle grade curriculum

  • Captivate the interest of girls and boys regardless of ability level and cultural background including learning disabled and bilingual

  • Make connections between other school curricula

  • Accommodate many different teaching and learning styles

For more information about Maneuvers with Mathematics, contact Monica Von Plinsky, Program Coordinator, at (312) 996-8766, or send e-mail to vonp@uic.edu.

 

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UIC—University of Illinois at Chicago