RightStart Math Uses Evidence-Based Strategies For Instruction
RightStart Math uses evidence-based instructional models that are proven effective when teaching math. These strategies benefit all learners, including strong students and students with learning differences. Here are some ways RightStart Math does this: Visual Representation One powerful evidence-based strategy is visual representation. RightStart Math uses a variety of manipulatives to help students visualize math. One of the most effective manipulatives used in the curriculum is the Cotter Abacus. The Cotter Abacus helps students understand that numbers are quantities, help them subitize and visualize these quantities, and enable them to develop fluency in math facts and processes. Students with learning differences tend to struggle with memorization. However, when a student applies the Cotter Abacus and other visual representation models in the learning process, the abstract elements of math become concrete, increasing understanding. In addition, many children with learning differences can mentally visualize quantities and strategies, increasing math fact fluency and reducing the need for rote memorization. Schema-Based Instruction RightStart Math provides schema-based instruction for word problems. Students learn to think about the problem and utilize strategies and tools, such as the part-whole circle set, to break apart the problem, leading them to discover which operation to use. Take a look at this example: Robin had 5 pennies and found 3 more pennies. How many pennies does Robin have now? The students use the part-whole circle set and fill in the information they know. Robin has 5 pennies and gets 3 more. Five and three are part of the whole. So, how can they find the whole amount? They need to add. The part-whole circle set is only one of the many tools and strategies RightStart Math uses to help students think about the problem and solve it. Metacognitive Strategies Metacognitive strategies, or memorable approaches and strategies, are used throughout the RightStart Math curriculum and tutoring programs to help students think about and learn facts, processes, and problem-solving procedures. A few of the many strategies taught and used through RightStart Math are: Two Fives Strategy Complete the Ten Going Up Taking Part from Ten Taking All from Ten Distributive Property in Multiplication RightStart Math incorporates these strategies and more throughout the curriculum to help students think about how to solve problems efficiently. Summary RightStart Math’s evidence-based instruction is used worldwide to help students understand, apply, and enjoy math! If you would like to know how to get RightStart Math into your school, contact us.
Symmetry, by Dr. Joan A. Cotter
The Hungarian journal, Symmetry: Culture and Science, published Dr. Cotter’s article called “Symmetry for Children Using Drawing Board Tools and Tangrams.” In this article, Dr. Cotter explains how children as young as 5 years old can create equilateral triangles, hexagons, squares, and other figures using a scaled-down version of traditional drafting tools, such as the T-square, 30-60 triangle, and the 45 triangle. Older students are able to draw lines and create figures around a line of symmetry, both vertically and horizontally, using these drawing tools along with tangram pieces. As students work through the activities discussed in the article, they learn to analyze what needs to be drawn and how to make a plan to achieve the desired results. Throughout this piece, Dr. Cotter explains how to use drawing tools to divide equilateral triangles into halves, thirds, fourths, ninths, and twelfths. She shows examples of how to draw equilateral triangle symmetry, hexagon symmetry, square symmetry, and tangram symmetry that involve rotation and variations. You will also see colorful examples of how to draw inscribed and overlapping stars, which are activities students thoroughly enjoy. Learn about the educational benefits students gain when teaching more than just basic arithmetic. One benefit of drawing activities is that they combine artistry and mathematics. As students work through these engaging projects, they enjoy their creations, develop an appreciation for geometry, and discover the beauty of mathematics. To read the article in full and get ideas of how you can bring more geometry into your classroom, click here. Contact us for more information about how RightStart Math includes geometry in the curriculum, even in the elementary grades.
Math Activities for Early Finishers
Do you have a student or two who seem to always finish their work early? Here are a few math activities you can give your early finishers to promote deeper understanding while challenging them and keeping their interest. Games Games are fun and engaging and can be used to practice math facts and processes they are learning in class. However, the Math Card Games book has many more games than what is used in the curriculum. You can find a new game to review skills they are currently learning, or you can find a game that will introduce them to a new skill. You can make it even easier on yourself by subscribing to math card game instructions through Vimeo. Then, your student can learn how to play a game on their own! Peer Tutoring Encourage your strong learners to work with students who are struggling. Sometimes, struggling learners learn better from their peers. In addition, the strong learner will develop teaching skills and deepen their understanding as they present the concept to another. Exploration of Numbers If you have any of the RightStart Math Tutoring books, such as Number Sense and Multiplication and Division Book 1, you will find engaging exploratory lessons. These lessons are interesting and fun and will challenge your students to think of math differently. If you do not have those books, you can find similar activities here. Play with Probability Let your student play around with probability by using dice. Have them look for four specific sums: 3, 7, 11, and 12. Have them roll two dice, calculate the sum, and fill in the form below. The questions on this form require deeper thinking, enhancing the student’s learning experience. RightStart-Math-dice-worksheet.pdf Download Research a Mathematician Encourage your student to explore the lives of influential mathematicians, such as Archimedes, Euclid, Fibonacci, Pascal, Ptolemy, or Pythagoras. As your students understand the history and contributions of these mathematicians, they may be inspired to learn more about their contributions and how those discoveries influence math today. These math activities are fun ways to engage and challenge your early finishers with little to no extra work for you. If you would like to learn more about RightStart Math, please contact us.
Assess Progress with Games
RightStart Math understands that teachers need to assess the progress of their students. The RightStart Math curriculum includes periodic review lessons and three formal Assessments, including the year-end assessment. But what about assessing the games? Did you know that you can informally assess your students’ progress and math fact fluency when they play math card games? Here are a few ways: Track their time. If the game you assign your students has them work through a set of cards, track how long it takes them to play it. For example, A44 Addition War requires students to work through a deck of 40 Basic Number cards. If two of your students take 1:30 minutes to work through the deck one day and the next day they finish in 1:15 minutes, that is progress. You can also calculate how many problems they are solving per minute. For example, in A44 Addition War, two students work through 20 cards each, creating 10 equations. Remember, students are not only calculating their own equations but checking their peer’s calculations. So, they are solving 20 problems while playing a game. So, if your two students solve 20 problems in 1:30 minutes, they are solving 13 problems each minute. Let your students document their own or their peer’s progress. As your students play the games together, let them evaluate their own or each other’s work. Each time a student gets an equation correct, they add a checkmark to their card (or their peer’s card). You can see how many problems the student got correct while playing the game. Keep track of which problems they got correct. You can create a document where your students record which problems they answered correctly and how many times. For example, if your students are playing A3 Go to the Dump, you can give them an assessment form. Each time they answer a specific equation correctly, they check that box on the assessment form. Here are some samples of game assessment documents to get you started: A3 Go to the Dump Assessment Form A9 Corners Assessment Form P10 Multiplication Memory for 4s Assessment Form One more suggestion Send these assessment forms home with your student and have their parents keep track of their progress at home! If you have questions or want more information about assessing students through gameplay, contact us!
