Educative features of upper elementary Eureka math curriculum

Abstract

This two-phase study examined the educative features of upper elementary Eureka Math curriculum as well as examined take-up of those educative features in two classrooms at each grade level. Using an analytical framework based on Males (2011) and Quebec Fuentes and Ma (2018) in the first phase, I coded the educative features of a module at both the third- and fourth-grade levels for educative features for the category of content knowledge (Shulman, 1986) being addressed, the location of the feature in the lesson, and the type of guidance (Enactment or Rationale) being provided. An examination of the data in this phase revealed that most educative features addressed Pedagogical Content Knowledge for Mathematics Topics, was located in the Concept Development of the lesson, and provided guidance for enacting the feature. In the second phase, using two target lessons at each grade level, I identified key educative features to follow through the phases of curriculum use (Stein, Remillard, and Smith, 2007) in order to examine the take-up of those educative features by practicing teachers. An examination of the data in this phase revealed differences and similarities in take-up of educative features. In particular, differences in take-up of Enactment Guidance for Experiences seemed to heavily influence differences in take-up of Enactment Guidance for Facilitating Discourse and Enactment Guidance for Participation Structures. Additionally, similarities in take-up of Enactment Guidance for Representations and Enactment Guidance for Developing Mathematical Terminology were revealed across teachers at the same grade level. Implications for curriculum development and recommendations for further research are offered.