About the program
Connecting Math Concepts: Comprehensive Edition works as a core program or as a Tier 3 intervention for at-risk students. Facts, procedures, conceptual understanding, applications and problem solving skills are combined in this program to provide a comprehensive curriculum for students.
- Introduces key concepts over the course of multiple lessons—providing the time students need to learn, process and build a deep understanding
- Delivers new online resources that effectively instruct, manage and monitor student progress
- Teaches explicit strategies and processes to accelerate student achievement
- Interactive White Board Displays allow teachers to display instructional math visuals and problems to help students follow daily routines
- Student eBook and Textbook includes teacher and student-guided exercises online
- Student Workbook contains mastery tests and two practice tests
- SRA 2Inform offers online progress monitoring and precise reporting for teachers
Components
Connecting Math Concepts Teacher Materials Level A-F: Presentation Books, Teacher’s Guide, Answer Key, Board Displays, Workbook, Online Teacher Subscription (6 Years), and 10 Online Practice Activities Student Subscriptions (6 Years), Online Professional Learning Courses.
Resources
Placement Tests
- Level A Placement Test
- Level B Placement Test
- Level C Placement Test
- Level D Placement Test
- Level E Placement Test
- Bridge Level Placement Test
Research Base
Direct Instruction Mathematics Programs: An Overview and Research Summary
- This paper provides an overview and research summary of Direct Instruction (DI) mathematics programs, including Connecting Math Concepts . A comparison of the constructivist approach to the direct or explicit approach to math instruction was conducted. Overviews and ways in which DI math programs meet the 6 principles for improving math instruction as provided by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM; 2000b) are noted. Finally, a research review and analysis of DI math programs published since 1990 (yielding 12 studies) was completed.
- The Research Base for Direct Instruction Mathematics Programs
The following is a description of the research base for Direct Instruction mathematics programs, specifically DISTAR Arithmetic I and II, Corrective Mathematics, and Connecting Math Concepts. Searched of reference lists were used to identify other possible research articles. Also, hand searches were done in the following peer-reviewed journals: Effective School Practices, Journal of Direct Instruction, and Educations and Treatment of Children.
Randomized Controlled Studies
Effective Mathematics Instruction: The Importance of Curriculum
- This study compared Connecting Math Concepts to Scott Foresman's Invitation to Mathematics and found that Connecting Math Concepts was more effective in improving student achievement outcomes.
Non-Randomized Controlled Studies
Effects on Urban Children of Curriculum Alignment Versus Direct Instruction
- This study found that the Direct Instruction method of teaching was superior in improving student achievement when compared against traditional basal curricula.
Evidence of Success
Special Education and Direct Instruction: An Effective Combination
- Research shows strong evidence of success when Direct Instruction programs are used with students with special needs. In fact, Direct Instruction is one of only seven interventions proven effective (Forness, Kavale, Blum & Lloyd, 1997). With its research-supported design and systematic delivery, Direct Instruction is often referred to as a program for special education or at-risk students.