Math+in+Focus

7th GRADE:

8th GRADE:

I have the entire 6th grade set in my classroom.

Math in Focus - this is the American version of Singapore math.... it's new for the middle school.

Lessons concentrate on a single concept rather than providing continual practice on previously-learned concepts. However, review is provided in a section at the beginning of each chapter titled “Recall Prior Knowledge.” In addition, word problems, practical application problems, and critical thinking activities included throughout the lessons frequently draw on a wide range of mathematical knowledge. The goal of //Math in Focus// is to teach concepts so thoroughly that frequent review is unnecessary. The entire presentation in //Math in Focus// really challenges students to think much more deeply about mathematics than do most other programs. Students can’t just breeze through the lessons. Students who grasp concepts easily will likely do very well with this program. For students who struggle, you might slow the pace and take more time with the concrete and pictorial lessons as well as offer extra guided practice.

Take a look at the below website for a lot of general information about the program as well as some information documents and training videos: []

See below for the online preview so that you can see what some of the E-resources are like. You’ll be able to see the entire Course 1 student book online here as well:
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Use this account to view some of the assessments. The thing I like about this program is that is really forces kids to think outside the box.

Ideas from the Webinar:
 * math is a vehicle for teaching thinking
 * conrete to pictoral to abstract
 * fewer topics in greater detail

Math = problem solving Metacognition: students express how they know what they know, explain understanding of procedural fluency

Concrete - Pictorial - Abstract: The experience is not for the child to look at the picture and learn - student don't have books open, they have manipulatives on the desk and are DOING it. Pages in the book are for the teacher to guide the lesson, then students can go back and see what they did.

Gradual release - lesson ends with "Lets Practice" where student show what they learned.

How is it different? Fewer chapters (18 vs. 29), fewer lessons, but more pages per lesson (15 vs. 4)

Aligned vertically and taught for mastery.

Different resource books are used for differentiation: enrich, reteach, practice.

Assessment: End of chapter level 1 questions - basic calculation, computation - similar to the chapter. Multiple choice, black and white understanding level 2 questions - recalling application level 3 questions - problem solving, non routine, critical thinking - inchapter, math journal and "put on your thinking cap"

Kindergarten program is different from 1-8

Solutions: Solutions are worked out in a separate solutions manual.

Professional development: based on needs

1. instructional strategies - assessment instruction technology differentiation (separate admin training) 2. grade level - understand pedagogy, learn about lessons, view lessons, model lessons 3. classroom coaching - high impact, custom trainings, school an class specific. professional learning communities.

Pro- D is part of the implementation package - online, in person, can bring a person in ....

Traditional to this:

Middle school - use of pictorial models is different, more active use of concrete materials, the idea of building the concept throughout the lesson, RIGOR