ABSTRACT
After a decade of conducting classroom-based research, the Children’s Math World’s (CMW) Project led by Karen Fuson has developed for mass distribution an innovative and comprehensive K–6 elementary math curriculum along with a professional development companion, a DVD-based workshop-in-a-box, both to be published commercially (Fuson & Zaritsky, 2005). Many of the innovations in Fuson’s CMW curriculum are based on the creation of new accessible algorithms that allow students to utilize visual methods to derive solutions and explain problems to their class. The CMW curriculum also includes a new pedagogy, a new clinical practice for the teacher, and new forms of peer learning for the students. In CMW classrooms, mathematics is a student-guided enterprise. As the students become the leaders the teacher’s role moves to providing scaffolding and explanations as needed. In bilingual classes or with students needing special attention, teachers find more time for individual instruction.
