The Relationship Between Student Self-Concept and Mathematics Achievement Among Eight-Grade Sudents

The purpose of this project is to develop a mathematics program for use in an eighthgrade\ud general math class which addresses student self-concept in mathematics focused on (a) a\ud less intimidating, non-threatening classroom environment with a profusion of positive student\ud reinforcement, (b) small cooperative student groups where students explore, problem-solve,\ud reason, recognize thinking with logical justifications, (c) student perseverance, (d) effective\ud classroom questioning to draw out student thinking, and (e) logical puzzles and critical thinking\ud math problems. The objective of the project is to assist teachers and administrators in\ud guaranteeing that all eighth-grade students have the opportunity to be successful in mathematics.\ud Four lessons were designed around the California Mathematics and Common Core Standards.\ud The lessons still need to be piloted and feedback from students and teachers would be beneficial\ud to the effectiveness of each lessons implementation in a middle school mathematics classroom.\ud Keywords: Academic achievement, non-threatening environment, self-concept,\ud cognitive demand, classroom discourse, mathematical classroom discourse, math\ud reasoning.Educatio