Design Thinking in the Middle Grades

Reagan Curtis is a Chester E. and Helen B. Derrick Endowed Professor of educational psychology in the School of Education and founding director of the Program Evaluation and Research Center at West Virginia University.Darran R. Cairns is faculty in the School of Science and Engineering at the University of Missouri–Kansas City.Johnna J. Bolyard is an associate professor of mathematics education in the School of Education at West Virginia University.

• ContentsForewordIntroductionAcknowledgementsPart I: Understanding the Approach1. Thinking Differently About Teaching and LearningWhat It Looks Like in a Real ClassroomWhy This Book?2. Engineering Design, Mathematics, Science, and LiteracyA Visual Model of Our ApproachThe Design Process: Dynamic, Iterative Waves of Divergent and Convergent ThinkingIntegrating Mathematical Modeling, Scientific Challenges, and Literacy Practices3. Affordances and SupportsSupporting Productive Struggle by LearnersPromoting Equity in the ClassroomComplex InstructionGroup Worthy TasksStatus4. Why Do We Think This Works?Evidence-Based Teaching PracticesEvidence Base for Core Components of Our ApproachEvidence Base for Bringing It All Together5. Personifying Best Practices(Re)Designing Industrial Farming in Your StateConnecting Theory to PracticePart II: Making It Real6. Design and Mathematical Modeling From Artifacts to ProcessesAffordances for Systems-Level Learning across the Artifact-To-Process ContinuumReturning to the Grocery Store7. How Constraints and Criteria Affect Design and Mathematical ModelingHow Many Marbles Can You Fit in a Piece of Aluminum Foil Before It Sinks?Keeping a Cold Drink Cold for Longer (Co-Constructing Constraints)8. Scaffolding Student Learning in Design and Mathematical ModelingProductive Struggle in Design-Based LearningScaffolding Productive StruggleStrategically Using Formative Assessment DataGiving Students Voice in Design Constraints, Criteria, and Methods of Assessment9. Design and Mathematical Modeling Across Content Areas and Grade LevelsGingerbread House Lesson (6th Grade Mathematics Class)Predator/Prey Lesson (8th Grade Science Class)Skater Ramp Lesson (7th Grade Mathematics and Science Class)Adapting Design-Based Learning Activities to Your Students10. Design and Mathematical Modeling Across Instructional ModalitiesTaking Design-Based Learning OnlineExamples of Design-Based Learning at a DistanceConnecting Examples to Core Components, Affordances, and SupportsPart III: Making It Your Own11. Linking Integrative Series of Design and Mathematical Modeling ActivitiesProblem-Based, Design-Based, and Project-Based IntegrationEnergy and the Environment Thematic UnitPulling It All Together12: Address Any Content Standard and "Fix" Textbook ProblemsStarting From StandardsStarting From Existing Activities or Problems(Re)Designing Effective Teaching PracticesConclusion: The Wicked Problem of Education for AllReferencesIndexAbout the Authors