SMCPS - Curriculum and Instruction

Mathematics: Middle School

Click the textbook to access the resources! On-Grade Level Honors

McGraw-Hill, Glencoe Online Resources Access

Math Connects, Course 1

On-Grade Level 6th

Student Textbook (Access to eBook)

Assessment Calendar

Math Connects, Course 2

On-Grade Level 7th

Student Textbook (Access to eBook)

Assessment Calendar

Math Connects, Course 3

On-Grade Level 8th/Pre-Algebra Grade 8

Student Textbook (Access to eBook)

Assessment Calendar

On-Grade Level 6th, 7th, 8th:

Math Connects ©2009 is a vertically aligned Pre-K to 8 mathematics instructional program from Macmillan/McGraw-Hill and Glencoe/McGraw-Hill. This comprehensive curriculum was designed with the end result in mind. The authorship team back-mapped the development of mathematical content, concepts, and procedures from Algebra 1 down to Pre-K to ensure a solid foundation and seamless transition from grade level to grade level.

The series is organized around the NCTM Focal Points and is designed to meet state standards. Math Connects ©2009 provides a comprehensive and cohesive Pre-K to 8 series that provides:
• A blended emphasis on concepts, skills, and problem solving for a truly balanced program.
• A focused emphasis on vocabulary to build mathematical literacy.
• Intervention options prescribed within the program or referenced to Math Triumphs, a Tier 3 companion intervention program.
• Research-based development of problem-solving strategies and skills from Kindergarten through middle school.
• A variety of ongoing assessment options including diagnostic, formative, and summative assessment in addition to self-assessment options for students.
• A variety of student and teacher materials to meet the needs of all students as well as a variety of instructional strategies for advanced students; students with multiple learning styles; English learners; and special needs students.
• An integrated NSF component, IMPACT Mathematics, that connects student investigations and explorations to field-tested, performance-based assessments.
• Integrated technology to enhance instruction and facilitate student learning.

Focus on the Student Edition:
• Each chapter begins with a diagnostic assessment to identify concepts and skills that students may need to review or reinforce before introducing the new chapter.
• Listing of New Vocabulary and Review Vocabulary help students identify terms being presented. Additional vocabulary activities and exercises such as the Talk About It feature and vocabulary reinforcement in the Study Guide and Review provide opportunities for students to use mathematics vocabulary and demonstrate understanding of the lesson concepts.
• Hands-On Activity lessons in Grades PreK-2; Mini-Labs, Explore, and Extend Lessons in Grades 3-6 support concrete understanding and provide modeling opportunities.
• Key Concepts use multiple representations to demonstrate the skills being presented and provide a concise summary of the concepts and skills being introduced.
• Fully worked-out Examples enable students and parents to see how to solve problems step-by-step.
• Exercise Sets contain an appropriate mixture of skills, concepts, and problem solving that parallel the examples from the lesson. References to examples and prior lessons provide guidance to students to help build understanding.
• H.O.T. Problems, beginning in Grade 1, require students to use Higher-Order Thinking skills to solve problems.
• Writing in Math in grades 1 through 6 provides opportunities for students to explain their mathematical knowledge. The writing is prompted by multi-level questions and problems.
• Spiral Review provides constant reinforcement of skills, concepts, and standards from previous lessons.
• Problem-Solving Strategy and Problem-Solving Skill lessons introduce students to multiple methods for solving problems. Problem-Solving Investigation lessons present students with a variety of ways to solve word problems and encourage them to choose the problem-solving strategy that works best in the given situation. Real-World Problem Solving lessons are cross-curricular and provide real-world applications of problem-solving skills and strategies.

IMPACT Mathematics is an NSF (National Science Foundation) component that allows teachers to use activities from this program to replace lessons in the core program (Math Connects). IMPACT Mathematics is designed to be used as a close companion to the Math Connects program. Some of the authors and consultants from Math Connects are also authors on IMPACT Mathematics.

IMPACT Mathematics activities are student-led with the teacher being the facilitator or coach. Teachers are provided with guiding questions that enable students to investigate the mathematics concepts in small groups or individually. Lessons are designed to investigate, apply, and reflect.

IMPACT Mathematics also uses common vocabulary, planning features, technology, and manipulatives that are found in Math Connects. Data-driven decision making is another link that ties the programs together to help your students find success.

Interventions

Macmillan/McGraw-Hill Math Connects and Math Triumphs are designed to work together. Therefore there are components that are shared across the programs and are appropriate for different Tiers of instruction.

Response to Intervention (RTI)

The Macmillan/McGraw-Hill Math Connects © 2009 Program and Math Triumphs Intervention Program © 2009 are part of a vertically aligned research-based program that provide instructional materials that address Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 levels for a Response to Intervention (RTI) model of instruction.

Tier 1

The instruction within Math Connects is based on best mathematics practices as identified by scientifically based research. The lessons provide daily instruction in all of the NCTM Curriculum Focal Points and Connections to Focal Points. The whole group and small group lessons offer clear, sequenced, and well-structured lessons using an explicit instructional model of teacher modeling, guided practice, and independent practice.

Mid-Chapter Checks and Chapter Tests W help teachers monitor students’ progress as they move through the program. Teachers have the opportunity at daily, weekly, and end of chapter intervals to make strategic instructional decisions regarding a student’s response to this Tier 1 Intervention. Diagnostic/Prescriptive Charts within the Teacher’s Edition provide pathways of instruction for students who are identified as needing more targeted intervention. These charts help teachers identify those students who need further intervention, moving to Tier 2.

Tier 2

The Below (approaching) Level Small Group instruction within the Math Connects Teachers' Editions was designed to provide additional daily targeted instruction and ample practice of priority skills. These lessons, as well as additional accompanying materials, can be used for small groups of homogenous students who need additional instruction in targeted skills. Such instruction includes additional practice activities in the Reteach and Skills Practice Books. These materials offer additional opportunities to reteach, reinforce, and apply skills. There are Alternate Teaching Strategies for each lesson. These teaching strategies are part of the margin resources in the Teacher Edition and can be used to target instruction.

Mid-Chapter Check and End of Chapter Assessments are provided to monitor students’ mastery of specific and targeted skills. Based on students’ assessment results, the Data –Driven Decision Making Charts in the Teacher’s Edition that’s provide an explanation of the mathematics in the lessons, an error analysis, and resources that can be used for review..

Tier 3

Targeted for students 1–2 levels below grade level, the Macmillan/McGraw-Hill Math Triumphs program provides high-intensity instruction and targeted practice of prerequisite skills needed to reach the grade level NCTM Curriculum Focal Points. Highly scaffolded lessons allow for focused delivery of instruction, offering intensive support for these students. Corrective Feedback is a key part of each lesson. This feedback offers teachers additional opportunities to reteach targeted skills and strategies. The feedback provides specific comments to help students note their errors and improve their performance. The corrective feedback may also demonstrate to students another way to understand the skill by breaking down the skill into its component parts. Math Triumphs includes many levels of assessment to monitor each student’s progress to ensure that the intervention is helping to improve the student’s performance.

Diagnostic and Placement Assessment helps teachers assess students’ prior knowledge at the beginning of the year and accurately place students within the Math Triumphs program. This assessment helps teachers determine whether their students need additional materials and resources to meet the grade-level expectations or require more intensive intervention.

Mid-Chapter Checks help monitor progress. These checks help determine if students are progressing adequately as teachers teach each lesson at point of use. Based on the student’s performance on these assessments, teachers can make decisions as to how to differentiate lesson instruction and practice.

Chapter Assessments are a final evaluation. They assess student success in learning the concepts taught in every chapter.

Honors 6th, 7th, 8th

McDougal Littell Online Resources