Support for long-term classroom planning and professional development. Information covering important topics for today's educators and parents. Integral to this structure are student explorations with manipulatives where the goal is to understand mathematical concepts rather than to memorize procedures. Each lesson is structured around a big mathematical idea with several small ideas embedded in the lesson to help students make mathematical connections. In a sample lesson, Modeling Percents, students use visual reasoning to determine percentages of areas and lengths, which leads to modeling and solving complex problems.
Emphasis is on using percentages to compare portions of quantities of unlike size.
In this series assessment is viewed as a dynamic process of interaction between teacher and student. Each lesson includes a Follow-Up Student Activity designed to be a meaningful assessment of student understanding. Student self-assessment is also encouraged. Blackline Masters of all activities and a list of necessary manipulatives and materials are included.