Comparison of traditional and SMSG 7th and 8th grade mathematics texts

Abstract

Scope of Study: Unfamiliarity is an inherent cause of hesitancy. Those administrators and teachers who fail to supplement their present mathematics programs or implement a new program involving the contempory concepts and approaches do so not so much because of malice or dishonesty but rather because of unfamiliarity with new subject materials. This report, in bulk, presents actual subject matter from both the traditional and modern mathematics textbooks in the 7th and 8th grades with statements of respective critique and summary. Overall introduction and summary state recent trends and criteria, and give implication of the responsibility for valid selection of text materials. In this way it is hoped that a reduction in unfamiliarity is effected and that a comparison of the respective text materials, herein, by those who select textbooks for their individual schools will result in a preparatory mathematics program adequate for today's secondary student to meet the demands of future instruction and vocation.