Created by Marilyn Burns, Do The Math was designed to provide maximum access for English language learners. Students in Grades 1–5 build numerical reasoning and problem-solving skills while developing a love of math. Teachers receive comprehensive support to help students develop a strong foundation.
Math vocabulary is explicitly taught using a consistent routine. First, students experience the math concept. Next, students learn through a see it, hear it, say it, write it, read it routine. Throughout the module, opportunities are built in for receptive and expressive use of vocabulary. Language Development boxes present point-of-use instructional support for teachers during each lesson. Spanish translations of math vocabulary are provided for both students and teachers.
Working in pairs allows students to speak their first language or segue to practice English before speaking in front of the whole group. Visual representations of concepts are embedded throughout the program. Hands-on materials help students build understanding and practice skills.
In Miami-Dade County Public Schools, underperforming math students who were enrolled in Do The Math were more likely than their counterparts at the same schools to show growth on the FCAT.
Math Upgrade’s curriculum comprises over 400 lessons from kindergarten to algebra featuring songs, video, and games. The goal is simple: engage English language and struggling learners in a course of step-by-step lessons that engages and provides their pathway to success in mathematics, despite potential language barriers. Math Upgrade is unique in its approach to learning; students visually follow their own academic path to success through a map of lessons to be completed. A song with animated visuals teaches a new skill and guides the student through each lesson. If a student commits an error, the system automatically and immediately guides the student to appropriate remediation tasks through a careful explanation of how to solve the problem, with voice and animated visuals. Songs and videos are a universal language that any student can identify with, providing a non-threatening environment that encourages students to take risks. Playing interactive video games involving manipulating on-screen objects, drag-and-drop activities, and solving multi-step problems give students the varied practice needed to succeed in math. Learning Upgrade offers a free school license giving 20 students access to the complete curriculum for a full school year.
As the school year winds down, parents are planning their children’s summers and fretting that the kids will forget what they’ve learned over the three-month break. Thanks to Hooda Math, they can relax. Math just got easier to practice — more fun and free. Hooda Math has more than 500 web-based and mobile games, ranging from basic skill practice to brain-challenging “escape” games, which take place in fun locations like the Old West, a pirate ship, and Yosemite National Park, and are a favorite among older students. Its most popular games — Ice Cream Truck, Dublox, Multiplication Game, Fraction Poker, and hundreds of others — work on their mobile site, so kids on the go this summer can play anytime. Hooda Math takes pride in being a reliable, trustworthy, educational, and safe resource. Students accessing math games from their tablets’ browsers are automatically routed to the mobile site. The mobile games can be accessed through any browser, from any device. Hooda Math also has a downloadable iOS app that includes more than 50 games. All are free to download, and new games are released weekly on their website.
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