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Overview
With higher standards in place, math instruction needs to provide time for students to develop understanding, reason, reflect, and practice. Throughout 13 modules in Do The Math, students learn the basics of math computation, number sense, and problem solving. Do The Math teaches students to develop a solid foundation in arithmetic understanding and skills, and the ability to reason mathematically and solve problems.
Do The Math rebuilds critical mathematical foundations for understanding and:
- Develops understanding of key concepts and skills with whole numbers and fractions—the essentials necessary for students to succeed in algebra and higher-level mathematics
- Provides lessons that balance developing understanding and learning procedures
- Strengthens students’ ability to make sense of concepts, solve problems, reason, and use appropriate tools
Program Structure
Designed to support struggling students in Grades 1–5, Do The Math is organized into 13 scaffolded modules that focus on whole numbers and fractions.
Addition & Subtraction
Multiplication
Division
Fractions
Implementation
The modular design of Do The Math provides flexibility in implementation and can be configured to meet the needs of your school or district. Do The Math can be implemented in small-group settings to support struggling students, or in whole-class settings to build numerical understanding and reasoning skills.
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Flexible Settings
Do The Math is used in a variety of settings:
- In the resource room
- In the regular classroom, delivered either as whole-class or small-group instruction
- In extended day programs: after school and summer school
- Tutoring programs
Because of the comprehensive teacher support, Do The Math can be taught by regular classroom teachers as well as math coaches, Title 1 teachers, paraprofessionals, Special Education teachers, and student teachers.
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Consistent Structure
Each of the 13 Do The Math modules includes thirty 30-minute lessons. The consistent structure of the lessons supports instruction, and strategically placed formative and summative assessments support students’ continued progress. Students are assessed every fifth lesson, and teachers are provided with additional strategies for students still struggling as well as those ready for a challenge.
- 30–minute classes
- Five days a week
- For 30 days
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Instructional Decision Making
Do The Math is designed to help students catch up and keep up, serving both:
- Students who need more support at grade level
- Students who are a year or more behind and struggling to make forward progress
Do The Math is used to supplement core instructional programs, providing students with essential support to build a strong mathematical foundation. Do The Math is also used as targeted intervention, based on formal assessments, teacher observations, and Do The Math module pretests.
Download the Do The Math RTI Chart
Instructional Strategies
By focusing on whole numbers and fractions, Do The Math builds the most critical foundations for algebra. The focused and coherent instruction provides time for students to reason, reflect, and practice. Students spend time on key concepts over the course of multiple lessons, providing the time they need to learn, process, and build a deep understanding.
Research-Based Practices
Do The Math is built on research-based practices for helping struggling students succeed in math.
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Scaffolded
ContentScaffolding the content makes the mathematics more accessible to students.
Do The Math focuses on building deep understanding of Number and Operations. Each module is focused on a few objectives. The content is carefully scaffolded to ensure that students make connections and see the relationships between concepts. READ LESS...
Explicit
InstructionStudents benefit from instruction based on teaching for understanding.
Explicit instruction is a strategy in which the teacher: (1) Demonstrates and provides clear models of how to solve a problem or learn a skill, (2) guides students to understand and articulate relationships, (3) provides extensive practice with timely feedback, (4) encourages students to verbalize their thinking, and (5) helps students make connections between their mathematical experiences and the concepts and skills. READ LESS...
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Multiple
Strategies &
Visual ToolsMultiple strategies and visual representations for developing concepts and skills support student learning.
To deepen students’ mathematics understanding, lessons engage students with each concept and skill in several ways and consistently integrate multiple representations of mathematical concepts.
- Manipulative materials provide students concrete experiences with abstract ideas.
- Games offer engaging situations where mathematical understandings and skills are reinforced.
- Children’s literature provides a springboard for instruction.
- Contexts make abstract mathematical ideas accessible.
Gradual
ReleaseFour-phase pedagogy built on gradual release prepares students for individual success.
In Gradual Release pedagogy, the focus of instruction is on the level of responsibility the teacher maintains during the first three phases to ensure that students have the mathematical understanding before releasing them to complete a task on their own. This process of moving through phases of dependence to independence has been shown to be an effective strategy, ensuring optimal learning and achievement. READ LESS...
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Student
InteractionResearch shows that students’ interaction such as “Think, Pair, Share” deepens student understanding.
Think: Students collect their thoughts individually.
Pair: Students discuss with a partner.
Share: Students report to the whole group, giving students the opportunity to express their ideas and hear others’ ideas and perspectives, which helps them to clarify their thinking.The listening and speaking that occur during Think, Pair, Share can be especially valuable for students who are developing English language skills. READ LESS...
Meaningful
PracticeAssignments provide students opportunities to practice, strengthen, and extend their learning.
Practice is an essential part of every lesson. The written practice in the WorkSpace is always similar to what students experienced during the lesson and gives them the opportunity to record their thinking. The practice has been carefully sequenced to move from concrete experiences, to pictorial representations, to symbolic recording. READ LESS...
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Vocabulary
& LanguageScaffolded vocabulary instruction helps students develop effective communication about the math they are learning.
Vocabulary is introduced after students experience concepts. Vocabulary lessons follow a consistent routine: the teacher writes the vocabulary on the math vocabulary chart and provides an example; students see, hear, say, write, and read. The vocabulary is then incorporated throughout the lessons to support students’ learning. A glossary in the WorkSpace provides students with a reference for definitions.
Key mathematics and academic vocabulary words are listed at the start of each lesson along with Spanish translations. Linking learning experiences to mathematical representations and language supports language development. READ LESS...
Assessment &
DifferentiationOngoing assessment and strategies for differentiation are built into the program to help teachers meet individual student needs.
During lessons, teachers observe students working in the whole group, with partners, and independently. Specific guidance for how to promote understanding and address student misconceptions is integrated into the lessons. Suggestions for differentiating instruction are included after every fifth lesson, both for students who need additional help and for those who are ready for additional challenges. READ LESS...
CLICK HERE for more information on the Research-Based Intervention Strategies.
