Dustin L. Jones

The Statistical Content of Elementary School Mathematics Textbooks

This study reports on the statistical content of five U.S. textbook series written for elementary students in grades 1-5. The researchers examined 17,688 pages and coded 7445 statistical tasks to determine (1) the distribution of statistical topics within textbooks, and (2) the relative emphasis on the phases of the statistical problem solving process (Formulate Questions, Collect Data, Analyze Data, and Interpret Results). Different series contained markedly different distributions of statistical content: two series located most statistical content near the end of the text, whereas two other series located statistical tasks more uniformly throughout the textbook. A large majority of statistical tasks required students to Analyze Data, with a heavy emphasis on the activities of reading displays and performing mathematical calculations.

An Analysis of the Statistical Content in Textbooks for Prospective Elementary Teachers

We analyzed the statistical content within mathematics textbooks used in courses for preparing elementary teachers. Six textbooks commonly used in the United States comprised our sample. Each task in statistical sections was analyzed using both the levels of the GAISE framework (Franklin et al. 2007) and phases of the statistical problem solving process (Formulate Questions, Collect Data, Analyze Data, and Interpret Results). Tasks within the Analyze Data phase were also classified as creating or reading a display, performing a mathematical computation, or using statistical reasoning beyond mathematical computations. The majority of statistical tasks in each book required data analysis. Two textbooks primarily consisted of tasks addressing statistical concepts beyond computations, while three series focused on graphical displays and computational procedures.

The Birthday Problem, Empirically

The author uses real-world data to bring life to the birthday problem Online extra: http://www.nctm.org/mt014

Exploring volumetrically indexed cups

This article was inspired by a set of 12 cylindrical cups, which are volumetrically indexed; that is to say, the volume of cup n is equal to n times the volume of cup 1. Various sets of volumetrically indexed cylindrical cups are explored. I demonstrate how this childrens toy is ripe for mathematical investigation, with connections to geometry, algebra and differential calculus. Students with an understanding of these topics should be able to complete the analysis and related exercises contained herein.