2. Exploring Math

3. What is Exploring Math? A comprehensive intervention and reinforcement resource An easy to implement resource for summer school, after school or to support a year- long mathematics curriculum

4. Why Use Exploring Math? In 2005, only 36% of fourth-graders performed at or above Proficient in mathematics on the NAEP. Teachers need a solid math intervention resource to provide students with the foundational math skills they will need for testing and for life.

5. How Does Exploring Math Work? Diagnosis students’ areas of need with placement tests Provides targeted instruction with differentiated activities in each lesson Focuses equally on basic math skills and higher level problem solving strategies Includes innovative approaches to teaching math concepts, meeting the needs of all students Extends math skill application with fun and appealing Skill Application Game Boards

6. Why Does Exploring Math Work? Uses non-grade-specific labels to more easily select an appropriate level to meet student needs Provides concise, ready-to-use lessons with minimal prep time Engages all learners as they apply problem solving strategies to high-interest real-life scenarios Includes built in assessments that directly relate to instruction

7. How is Exploring Math Researched- and Standards-Based? Based on research about effective math instruction as well as the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) standards Based on McREL Content Standards Correlated to standards in 50 states

8. Where to use Exploring Math? Summer School Before School/After School programs In class for core curriculum reinforcement and review Small-group instruction during class Math focused standardized test preparation Tutoring programs

9. Main Components of the Kit 14 Skill Application Game Boards CD-ROM Teacher Resource Guide 7 Problem-Solving Strategy Cards with transparencies 14 Real-Life Problem-Solving Cards with transparencies 7 Stand-Alone Units

10. Teacher Resource Guide Introduction Management Placement Test Problem-Solving Strategies Skill Application Games Glossary CD

11. Should be administered prior to formal instruction Consists of 15 items for each unit in the kit Provides an overview of the student’s overall performance Helps prioritize the unit(s) and the skill(s) that need reinforcement Unit Placement Tests

12. Placement Test Answer Key Next to each answer on the key, you will find the corresponding lesson which teaches that objective. For example, item 1 on the Unit 7 Placement test corresponds to lesson 7.1 (which is unit 7, lesson 1).

13. Unit 1 Numbers & Numeration Unit 2 Addition and Subtraction Unit 3 Multiplication and Division Unit 4 Fractions & Decimals Unit 5 Geometry Unit 6 Measurement Unit 7 Working with Data 7 Stand-Alone Units

14. Table of Contents Introduction Unit Lessons Lesson Units Real-Life Problem-Solving Lessons (each unit has 2) Answer Key Reproducible Pages Unit Teacher’s Guide

15. Learning Objectives Resources Warm Up Activity Whole-Class Skills Lesson Differentiated-Group Skills Practice Lesson Review Extension Power point slide story board Student Activity pages Pre- and Post-test Lesson Plans

16. Learning Objectives Resources Warm Up Activity

17. Pre- and Post-test Included in each lesson

18. Whole-Class Skills Lesson* reminds teacher that there is a PowerPoint lesson presentation on the CD. Approximate time lesson will take Step-by-step Lesson Plan procedure

19. Optional PowerPoint® lesson plans All unit lessons have a slide show provided on the CD. The slide presentation teaches the Warm-Up activity and the main lesson components.

20. Differentiated-Group Skills Practice Below Level Teacher Directed On LevelStudent (or Teacher) Directed Above LevelStudent Directed Activity sheets assigned to students vary by group level.

21. Differentiated tasks

22. Additional Student Activity Pages 100+ pages of additional activity pages are available on the CD.

23. Problem-Solving Strategies Resource Section Drawing a Diagram Drawing a Table Acting It Out/Using Concrete Materials Guessing and Checking Creating and Organized List Looking for a Pattern Working Backwards Using Simpler Numbers Creating a Tree Diagram Open-Ended problem Solving Analyzing and Investigating Using Logical Reasoning Detailed Information about each of the Problem-Solving Strategies used in Exploring Math!

24. Problem-Solving Strategies Lessons Each unit includes two comprehensive Problem-Solving lessons. Students are given real-life problem-solving situations and asked to find a solution using a specific strategy. A 4-page Lesson Plan for each Problem Solving Lesson includes Both a Problem-Solving Strategy card and a Real-Life Problem- Solving card.

25. Side A models how to teach the Problem-Solving strategy. The text is set up as a “think-aloud”-type teacher-directed lesson. Full-screen color transparencies are provided for the front and back of each card. This strategy will be applied in the Real-Life Problem- Solving Card section of the Lesson Plan. Problem-Solving Strategy Cards

26. Problem-Solving Strategy Cards Side B provides a Sample Problem to complete with the class as a “think-aloud”.

27. Real-Life Problem-Solving Cards High-interest cards with real-life scenarios for applying problem-solving strategies. 2 problem-solving cards for each unit Full-color transparencies of each card

28. Problem A: on level Problem B: below level Problem C: above level Real-Life Problem Solving Cards side B Teachers may: Assign according to level Choose one problem to assign to all or choose one problem to use as a whole-group lesson.

29. Skill Application Games Apply and reinforce the skills and concepts learned in a fun way

30. Problem Solver’s Math Journals Extend and apply problem-solving skills and strategies. Provide extra problem-solving practice using the 12 key problem- solving strategies. Student materials can be ordered in sets of 10 Levels A – E are available.