Textbook Investigation

Patrick Hudson 110322

The sub-strand I picked for the Manitoba MY Math Curriculum was in

the Grade 8 section. It was Variables and Equations in the Patterns and
Relations strand. This is a very straightforward strand. It talks mostly about
solving equations using variables and integers. The two textbooks I used for
the investigation were Math Focus 8, and Math Makes Sense 8. These
textbooks were very similar on almost all the materials included inside.
However both did not completely meet every achievement indicator as
prescribed by the curriculum. For Math Focus 8, they did a very good job of
showing how to solve different equations and graph them, however they
were missing a section on the distributive property, which is very essential
for helping students break down equations into smaller forms and allowing
them to solve equations easier. This was the only major thing lacking from
the textbook however a little more focus on fractions could also benefit
students trying to learn the material. The Math Makes Sense 8 textbook was
also missing several sections from what should be known in the curriculum. It
was missing how to identify and correct errors you may have made in your
work. This is a very vital skill for students to learn, it helps them reflect and
understand where they may be making their mistakes and what they can do
to improve. It was also lacking some areas in terms of graphing. While the
textbook showed you how to graph from a table of values and using a
equations they did not explain the inverse, how to solve or find an equation

using a graph. This will impact their future learning at higher grades within
the Manitoba curriculum.
Though both textbooks were very beneficial, more material and
examples could be added to help flesh out some of the topics that were not
explained in depth. There were however very good examples that got
students thinking abstractly about problems and how they may be able to
solve the equations in several different ways, not just one way that the
teacher may want to see. It was very well written in terms of showing
examples of what the textbook was looking for in the material; however it
lacked a little explanation on what students were actually trying to do, rather
than just saying you need to learn this.
For the teachers editions of the MY Math textbooks, the resources
provided were very in depth, almost too much. This impacted how I viewed I
would teach the lesson. There were too many details about what to say and
how to explain things. It didnt take into account multiple types of learning
styles and how students may react differently to different topics. Some
students are better at some areas than others and it seemed to measure
them all the same way. However some of the examples given within the
Teacher edition were very helpful to show how to do a specific topic without
just verbalizing what you want to see. This will allow teachers to try to
explain to the class in the best possible way, though still very restrictive on
what should be said. In the end teaching from a textbook is not the best way

to reach all of your students, and though it is a helpful resource, it is better

to plan your own lesson and think about the material the way your students
will to best benefit their learning.

Math Focus 8

Math Makes Sense 8

Missing material from the Variables

Missing material from the Variables and

and Equations sub-strand:

Equations sub-strand:

Solve using the distributive

Identify and correct errors made

property
Lacking in using fractions

in problems
Solve problems using graphs

within equations

Material that both textbooks included:

-

Model a problem with a linear equation, and solve the equation using
concrete models

Verify the solution to a linear equation using a variety of methods,

including concrete materials, diagrams, and substitution

Draw a visual representation of the steps used to solve a linear

equation, and record each step symbolically

Solve a problem using a linear equation, and record the process