Educators also explore strategies, hands-on activities, and assessment techniques that increase the number of instructional choices available to enhance students' mathematics performance. Course graduates are encouraged to offer the program to families at their schools. Family Math is a very successful program which has made math a new family activity. Family Math is now available in 34 states and over 7 countries. The program is commercially available and comes with a teacher guide and teacher preparation videotape, as well as a complete set of student materials.
Lessons emphasize real-world experiences.
For instance, third grade students studying the Structure of Life module raise crayfish, observe the animals' routine, record findings, and draw conclusions. First graders investigate the properties of solids, such as cornmeal, beans and rice, and liquids, including water, corn syrup, and oil. The FOSS curriculum reflects its origins through the extensive use of smell and taste, feel, and sight. The 52 GEMS guides and handbooks range from Bubble-ology to Paper Towel Testing, each one featuring clever activities, cool experiments, games, and puzzles. GEMS is where one finds the recipe for Oobleck, a mystery substance very popular with a certain age group.