Big Ideas Math programs use a Universal Design for Learning allowing for balanced lessons with built-in Response to Intervention that appeal to students and teachers alike.

Learning targets and success criteria help to focus student learning and make learning visible to teachers and students. With a strong emphasis on problem solving in the classroom, students can transfer their mathematical knowledge to new concepts and apply their understanding to real-life situations. Through practice and problem solving, students become more comfortable with the problem-solving process to become strategic mathematical thinkers.

Each lesson goes through a sequence of explore, think, show and apply. Lessons are scaffolded to and allow many opportunities for students to show what they know. The Big Ideas curriculum has a Dynamic Classroom platform that students will utilize throughout the lessons and unit to explore problems, assess skills and gain knowledge. This curriculum boasts a perfect mix of hands-on and online learning designed to meet all students needs. 

The 14 units of study we will tackle this year are as follows:

• Place Value Concepts

• Numerical Expressions

• Add and Subtract Decimals

• Multiply Whole Numbers

• Multiply Decimals

• Divide Whole Numbers

• Divide Decimals

• Add and Subtract Fractions

• Multiply Fractions

• Divide Fractions

• Convert and Display Units of Measure

• Patterns and the Coordinate Plane

• Understand Volume 

• Classify Two-Dimensional Shapes

ALEKS, Assessment and LEarning in Knowledge Spaces, is a Web-based, artificially intelligent assessment and learning system. ALEKS uses adaptive questioning to quickly and accurately determine exactly what a student knows and doesn't know in a course. ALEKS then instructs the student on the topics they are most ready to learn. As a student works through a course, ALEKS periodically reassesses the student to ensure that topics learned are also retained. ALEKS uses the knowledge it collects to make learning more efficient and effective for the student. 

ALEKS is used regularly in the classroom, but is also a program that should be used at home. Practicing 15-20 minutes nightly can be greatly beneficial to growth in mathematics. 

Use the link below to access the log-in section of our ALEKS math program.

ALEKS Log-In 

Students homewok can be found in their Big Ideas Student Journal, but is also linked online in their Big Ideas portal. Students can complete assigned problems on paper, in their journal, but should be submitted online. Homework expectations include submitting homework at 100% accuracy. Students are able to check to see if their answers are correct before submitting and each problem, in most cases, has a detailed video to accompany it if students are struggling to calculate the correct answer. 

Below is a compilation of links and resources that are beneficial to mathematic growth. 

Adapted Mind Lessons - Problems, explanations and instructional videos

XtraMath - Fact fluency support. 

Study Jams - Math concept overview videos

Khan Academy - Lessons and practice problems

Math Antics - Videos, lessons and worksheets