RAAFA Video Archive
Redwood Area Algebra For All (RAAFA) was a California Math Science Partnership project administered by the California Math Project: North Coast, Sonoma County Office of Education, and Sonoma State University. The project utilized technology-based strategies like podcasts and Internet-accessible video clips to extend teacher expertise. Here are some of the resources developed during the three-year project, which concluded in 2008.
Animation, Parts of a Cube
– This simple animation front-loads terms critical to understanding the concept of volume for English learners
Interview, Promoting Discourse
– Edith Prentice Mendez, PhD, examines how promoting discourse can impact student learning
Lesson, Geometric Figures
– Fourth-graders in a bilingual classroom are shown talking about shapes
Presentation, Observing for Evidence
– Dr. Patrick Callahan provides a structure for identifying evidence of mathematics thinking
Scaffolding, Whole to Parts, Parts to Whole
– This clip introduces English learners to the vocabulary of “part-whole” relationships
Student Discussion, Perimeter
– Bilingual grade 6-8 students describe patterns they’ve observed in rectangles with the same area but different perimeters
Student Discussion, Perimeter
– Two ninth-graders contradict our expectation that the key challenge for bilingual students is to learn mathematics vocabulary
Student Interview, Discussing Math
– This interview illustrates how second-language learners learn and talk about mathematics
Student Interview, Fractions 1
– A student discusses whether shapes have to be congruent to have equal areas
Student Interview, Fractions 4
– This interview shows the difference between a teacher’s assumptions and what students actually understand
Student Interview, Paper Folding Lesson
– A fifth-grade student shows how mathematics is embedded in paper-folding activities
RAAFA Audio Archive
Available as zipped mp3 files for download
Reading, Beyond Words: This chapter from Assessing Mathematical Proficiency by Judit Moschkovich raises questions about assessments for English learners
Reading, Facilitating English Learner Participation: This article reviews findings on strategies for engaging English learners in mathematics learning
Reading, Two Types of Reflection: In this excerpt from Process Reflection in Pre-Service Lesson Study, Thomas Ricks divides reflection into two categories
Reading, A World of Difference: This article suggests that educators focus on ensuring that students solve challenging mathematical problems
