One of the newest and most widely implemented mathematics programs is Everyday Mathematics, which was developed by the University of Chicago in conjunction with McGraw-Hill. Utilized by more than 3 million students in nearly 200,000 classrooms, it offers a unique blend of the best practices in mathematics education.
Research-Based Methods
The Everyday Mathematics program was originally designed to align with research conducted by the NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics) while establishing their 1989 standards. Everyday Mathematics is designed for students in kindergarten through sixth grade. One of its most distinguishing features is its emphasis on real-life problem solving techniques. In other words, students are presented with problems relevant to their daily lives. This helps them make meaningful connections to the skills and information they are acquiring. Additionally, Everyday Mathematics provides teachers with numerous suggestions for bringing math into other areas of the curriculum, such as science and language arts.
This exceptional curriculum program also provides a balanced blend of whole-group, small-group, and individual activities. Such a setup allows students to learn from the teacher, coordinate with peers, and develop a concrete understanding of math through personal practice.
Another feature that makes Everyday Mathematics stand out is its potential for open-ended and long-term tasks. This requires abstract thinking, the application of multiple skills, and hands-on exploration of key concepts.
The program also emphasizes the use of algorithms to solve problems. For example, children can use partial sums to help them cope with difficult addition problems. They can also deal with division by finding partial quotients or handle multiplication with partial products. While many adult readers may never have heard of these methods, they are among the most prominent new methods for teaching math skills.
Reinforcing Basic Skills
Of course, Everyday Mathematics does not stray far from the basic skills. It has numerous suggestions and tools for playing review games, conducting drills, recalling facts, and utilizing mental math techniques. There are even daily sets of review problems, called “Math Boxes,” which reinforce previously learned skills with each new lesson. Students can also play review games that make learning fun. In fact, the curriculum recommends one hour of fun game activities each week to support student morale and reinforce skills.
It is not enough to simply recite skills, though. Students must also be able to explain their thought processes and reflect upon their own methods. As such, Everyday Mathematics provides ample opportunity to reconstruct and clarify their thinking both verbally and in writing. In doing so, students can also gain feedback from both peers and teachers.
Developing a Mathematics Community
Everyday Mathematics also tries to enhance the home-school connection that is vital to optimal learning. Most lessons are tied to a home activity, and the curriculum materials include pre-made letters to families. This communication helps parents and guardians stay informed about their child’s progress.
For teachers getting started with Everyday Mathematics, the company has developed an extensive support network. From professional development programs to online forums and assessment tracking, Everyday Mathematics makes it easy for even the newest teachers to integrate the program into their classroom. It even offers specific advice for a variety of scenarios dealing with diverse learners.
A Successful Curriculum
Everyday Mathematics has truly proven itself successful. In fact, the federal government granted it the highest rating of any commercial mathematics curriculum. The program is also correlated to specific mathematics standards in each state, making it appropriate for use nationwide. You can even find district-specific success stories via the Wright Group’s website.
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