National reports issued by experts and professional organizations recognize that existing ways of teaching mathematics are inadequate in meeting the needs of today's public school students. Motivated by this central focus, students solve a variety of smaller problems, both routine and non-routine, that develop the underlying skills and concepts needed to solve the central problems in that unit. Instructional Improvements IMP applies a different instructional approach from traditional methods that emphasize lecturing and individual paper and pencil seat work. Together, students tackle problems that usually are too challenging to be solved by any one individual. Students make written and oral presentations that help clarify their thinking and refine their ability to communicate mathematically.
Students use concrete materials as well as electronic tools while they work.
Working within a heterogeneous classroom creates an especially stimulating learning environment. IMP has developed a variety of supplemental problems to give teachers the flexibility to meet individual student needs in this setting. Specific features include extensions, for students who want to pursue a specific topic in greater depth, and reinforcement experiences, for students who need to reflect on and synthesize what they have already learned. IMP's Statement of Philosophy . IMP Expansion Nationwide .