ABSTRACT
The MATH Thematics curriculum was developed by the Six Through Eight Mathematics (STEM) Project, a National Science Foundation sponsored curriculum development project at The University of Montana. The mathematics content for each grade level of MATH Thematics is presented in eight thematic modules that develop mathematical ideas in relevant and meaningful contexts. The mathematics content of each module is integrated and includes cross-curricular connections to other content areas such as science, language arts, and social studies. The themes and primary mathematics content of the modules for each grade level are summarized. The MATH Thematics assessment package serves four major purposes: monitoring student progress in problem solving, reasoning, and communication; assessing student proficiency in content areas; helping teachers make instructional decisions; and documenting student progress for students, parents, and teachers. Assessment scales are a unique feature of the MATH Thematics curriculum. A major goal of the STEM curriculum was to help students develop a positive attitude toward mathematics.
