Mathematics Interventions, Computer-based Support Programs, Curriculum Programs and other
Mathematics Materials
Reviews, Links and Research - A Work in Progress! Last updated June 14, 2013
These reviews and comments are based on the feedback of teachers at the CESA #2 Math 101 sessions in spring 2013, as well as the opinions of Kevin Anderson (often in connection with math leaders from around
Wisconsin). They are not the official opinion of CESA #2 or any other organization. Please, let me know if you have any questions: kevin.anderson@cesa2.org
Print-based Intervention Programs
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WestEd – Pathways and Pitfalls - http://www.wested.org/cs/we/view/pj/81 , K-8 o These research-based materials have focused books by grade band for particular high needs areas for students in math. Each section addresses one idea, starting with how to do a particular problem, then noting a common misconception with this type of problem through some sample math talk. There are then a few problems for students to do, often with an explanation element. o It is not directly aligned with the CCSS, just big-picture strands in mathematics. o Teachers did not feel there were strong supports embedded in the materials (such as manipulatives, multiple representations) to meet the needs of various learners. Teachers would have to add those elements to this basic structure. o There appears to be some assessments, but not a coherent progress monitoring system. o I like these materials, though I think they would need some adept teacher support to make them work well. They’re likely not a general intervention, but a tool to work on specific conceptual understanding after doing a diagnostic assessment. o Cost – $165/book.
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WestEd – Aim for Algebra, grades 7-10 - http://its-about-time.com/aim/aim.html
or http://www.wested.org/cs/we/view/serv/132 o Not reviewed by teachers. Appears to be a good resource for preparing students for algebra, with an aim on conceptual understanding of key math ideas provided in modules. o Includes multiple strategies and manipulatives to support student understanding.
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Pearson – Focus Math Intensive Intervention , K-6 o Teachers who reviewed these print materials noted that they looked very traditional and focused on “busy” work – a lot of procedural practice. There is a standard format of written out steps, 15-
20 computation problems and 2 story problems.
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SRA Number Worlds and Algebra Readiness, Intensive intervention for K-8 http://www.sranumberworlds.com/ o Kits of materials that include manipulatives and weekly lessons with straightforward daily objectives. There is a placement test and weekly progress monitoring tools. It’s teacher friendly and has Spanish resources. Overall seen as pretty good. o One teacher noted that these kits currently just sit on shelves in a store room. o Costly - $1000 to $2500 per level.
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Pinpoint Math, grades 1-7 - https://www.mheonline.com/program/view/5/4/316/0076215059 o Teachers were not impressed – not seen as aligned with the CCSS. The lessons “were scattered and did not have enough problem solving activities.” The progress monitoring page was liked, but otherwise things were “cluttered and confusing.” Not seen as user friendly.
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Connecting Math Concepts - https://www.mheonline.com/program/view/4/4/2546/SRAINTVCMC , K-5 o Alternative curriculum for use with pull-out students. It is direct instruction. Fairly user friendly, but only received an okay review from teachers.
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Math Perspectives – http://www.mathperspectives.com/intervention.html
, for K-3 o Kathy Richardson’s group has many math resources, the intervention program includes Assessing
Math Concepts and Developing Number Concepts

o I like their focus on Number Talks.
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Number rockets, Pirate Math, PALS Math (seems to have combined) – calculation/word problems – small group support http://www.rti4success.org/tools_charts/popups_instruction/pirate_math_individual_tutoring_info.php
and http://www.kc.vanderbilt.edu/pals/math.html
o Not reviewed yet.
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Math Recovery - http://www.mathrecovery.org/ supports current math instruction o Not reviewed yet.
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ROOTS - http://www.intensiveintervention.org/chart/instructional-intervention-tools/12879 - designed for small groups of students, Kindergarten focus o Not reviewed yet.
Computer-based Math Enrichment and/or Intervention Programs
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ALEKS - www.aleks.com
o Diagnostic assessments, progress monitoring and online support for the students o Largely fact/procedure, though it tries to explain the concepts to the students for each set of problems. Students would have to be pretty motivated to dig through these explanations. o Seen as good for independent work to fill in gaps, though it will be gaps in procedural knowledge more than deeper conceptual understanding. It would not require teacher prep and would only
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Accelerated Math - http://www.renlearn.com/am/ , K-12 o Can be online or print. Lots of options for progress monitoring (online). Doesn’t show a lot of examples, what’s there only looks okay. It’s aligned to CCSS, but appears fairly procedural. o Likely pricey for online portion, requires a quote. Teacher books ~ $50.
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Math 180 - http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/math180/about.htm
, grades 6 + o Adaptive, online software, aligned with the CCSS; uses the Scholastic Math Inventory for progress monitoring and determining next instructional steps for students in the program o Not directly reviewed yet (just based on the web).
 require minimal teacher guidance (unless you want deeper understanding). o There are CCSS content standards alignments. o Fairly expensive o It’s pretty intuitive and user-friendly. Spanish is available.
Smart Tutor – learningtoday.com, K-5 o This is a full, online math curriculum, which could also be used as an intervention o There is a subscription cost o It is aligned with the domains of the CCSSM o It has a built in assessment that measures where students are at to target instruction, but doesn’t appear to have an ongoing progress monitoring tool built in o Overall is rated highly by the teacher who reviewed it
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Odyssey - http://odyssey.mcas.k12.in.us/childu/odysseymath.html
- K-12 o You can input students’ MAP scores into this online program to tailor it to their needs o There is a subscription cost (unclear what it is) o There are step-by-step tutorials done on the screen, but they focus on helping students do a procedure rather than conceptually understanding it. o Teacher page tells you where students are at and how much time they’ve spent on the program o Straightforward, easy to use.
 Moby Max (formerly Moby Math) – www.mobymax.com
– K-8 o Teachers feel that this program is a good supplement and gave it high ratings for the diagnostic assessment that notes which common core standards students need to be working on. Teachers say it’s easy to navigate. But, they note that it’s easy for students to just click through answers, so conceptual understanding is questionable and would need more direct teacher work. o Relatively cheap - $60/teacher per year or $300/school.
 ixl math – sort of like ALEKS, 4K-geometry - www.ixl.com

o It’s an individualized online, math practice program. It’s seen as user friendly and can read the problems to students. There are progress reports available. o It is not instructional-basically just practice. Sort of like ALEKS without the instruction. o Cost - $199/class. You can have a 30 day trial.
 Academy of Math - http://eps.schoolspecialty.com/products/details.cfm?series=acadmath o Grades 2-12 program that focuses on computational fluency o Cost is unclear and may be significant—pricing is based on district size/number of licenses o It has embedded progress monitoring tools and diagnostics to where students need more help o One district said that it requires a paraprofessional to be with the students o Teachers ranked it as high in alignment with the CCSS and assessment materials, but low in supporting a variety of learners with accessing the materials
 xtra math - https://www.xtramath.org/ o Free program, run by a non-profit. Can produce weekly reports to the teacher and parent. It’s fairly procedural and must master one skill before moving on to another. o Just focuses on + - / x o Teacher reports that students burn out on this program, so it’s important to mix it up.
 Hot Math – http://hotmath.com/ o Online math support for secondary text books and content – nice that it gives answers in steps as
“hints” It’s NOT an intervention, more of a math support service. o Some content is free (half the text answers), other by subscription - $49 for all textbook answers,
$29 for tutorial videos, and $1 to try a tutoring session
 Catchup math – http://catchupmath.com
– grade 6 and up, o Big focus on algebra and algebra readiness, though also goes through HS geometry and Alg 2 o $950/year for up to 200 students (costs $199 for an individual student) o Teachers select assignments by common core standard – embedded progress monitoring to guide student work and determine next steps doesn’t appear to be here.
 Khan academy – www.khanacademy.org
, K-12 o Online, short videos on a very wide range of math topics. Can be good for a quick review of a math skill. o There are also online math exercises students can do with explanations given o Fairly procedural - conceptual understanding not a prevalent focus o Teachers see it as a good tool within an intervention program to help students learn specific skills
 Math Navigator - http://pearsonschool.com/index.cfm?locator=PS18Yj , 2-10 o Supplemental math intervention for grades for tier 2 (or as a tier 1 support) o Print materials, with each book aligning with a certain math domain ($120/instructor’s set) o Don’t appear to be able to see samples online, so not reviewed yet.
 DreamBox - http://www.dreambox.com/ , K-5 o Lessons with alignments to the CCSS, giving progress reports to teachers. Adaptive to student results and real-time reporting to teachers. Has the students go through math games or visualizations for their learning. o $25/student per year or $7000/school o Not reviewed yet.
 Conceptua math - http://www.conceptuamath.com/ o Full online curriculum, claims to be common core based and visual and conceptual understanding focused. Recommended by a math leader from Colorado. o Cost requires a quote.
Mathematics Progress Monitoring Tools
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CBM Probes - http://www.interventioncentral.org/curriculum-based-measurement-reading-mathassesment-tests , basic K-5 skills o Has printable progress monitoring sheets that can be downloaded for free. You don’t have to purchase some expensive program to do progress monitoring!

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AIMSweb (by Pearson) - http://www.aimsweb.com/ K-8 o Widely used online CBM-style math assessment program across Wisconsin, largely because it can be a tool for universal screening, progress monitoring and management of the resulting data. It does not provide instructional support, but happily links to other Pearson products that do!
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STAR - http://www.renlearn.com/sm/ , K-8 o Some administrators like the data they get from STAR better than MAP and use it as their universal screener and as a progress monitoring tool. It’s computer-adaptive, like MAP. o Gives you lots of data, easy and fairly quick to use (15-20 min).
Mathematics Universal Screeners
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AIMSweb and STAR (above) are frequently used as universal screeners and progress monitoring tools
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EasyCBM - https://dibels.uoregon.edu/training/measures/easycbmmath.php
or http://www.easycbm.com/ o K-8 Universal screening program, $1/student o Some administrators felt it took too long to administer each assessment (up to 40 min), while others thought it gave really great information and liked it.
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MAP – Measure of Academic Progress - http://www.nwea.org/node/98 o Yes, these computer-adaptive tests can be used as your universal screener.
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Scholastic Math Inventory (SMI) - http://teacher.scholastic.com/math-assessment/scholastic-mathinventory/ , grades 2-9+ o Computer-adaptive assessment that monitors growth through algebra I. Provides immediate data with suggestions for instruction. Claims CCSS alignment. Uses the “Quantile Framework for
Mathematics” to show student understanding. o No review yet from someone actually using it.
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MRI – Math Reasoning Inventory https://mathreasoninginventory.com/ from Marilyn Burns o This universal screener is a FREE teacher interview tool that tells you how well students are understanding and reasoning about math problems. Very unique in that regard! Has three assessments, Whole Numbers, Decimals, and Fractions, largely for grades 3-5. o I think this is a fabulous tool, but would likely have to be used in connection with another universal screener to get a full picture of student ability.
Standard Mathematics Curriculum/Programs
Elementary:
NOTE: overall, I have yet to find anything I love at the elementary level. I can’t find a series with a strong focus on conceptual understanding and rich problem-solving. Why are so many companies stuck on 25 proceduralbased practice problems followed by a couple word problems?
 Everyday Mathematics (K-6) http://everydaymath.uchicago.edu/ o It seems that teachers have a love/hate relationship with this series. I think it’s much better than a traditional series and occasionally has some good connections to the CCSS practices in asking student s to explain their reasoning and in open-ended assessments. I’m not sure that the spiraling done in this series is the best approach to CCSS math, though I have yet to see research either way.
 Investigations in Number, Data, and Space (K-5) http://investigations.terc.edu/ o I must admit that I like the idea of student investigations in math, though I still only see this series as okay. It doesn’t reach the potential for integration of the practices that I would have expected from something with this title.
 Growing with Mathematics (PK-5) http://www.gwmath.com/ o https://www.mheonline.com/program/view/1/7/307/007GWM/312/0076036839/ o No review yet.
 Math Expressions (K-5) o http://www.eduplace.com/math/mthexp/ o Overall okay series, one of the better series out there for conceptual understanding.

 Math Trailblazers (K-5) http://www.mathtrailblazers.com/ o Based on little snipits, I think this series might have some potential, but I haven’t seen it in action or talked to teachers using it. I can’t get in touch with the publishers.
 EnVision Math Common Core (K-6) http://www.pearsonschool.com/index.cfm?locator=PS1zHe o While this series has some nice visuals, I was disappointed that a series that claims to be built based on the CCSS has too little use of the standards for mathematical practice.
 Math in Focus: Singapore Math http://www.hmheducation.com/singaporemath/ o I like the rigor of Singapore Math, and I think it does a better job of conceptual understanding than many series. Beyond modeling, I see too little evidence of the CCSS standards for mathematical practice. There is still a lot of traditional math here.
 GoMath (K-6, moving to K-8) http://www.hmhco.com/shop/education-curriculum/math/elementarymathematics/go-math o This series is fairly traditional. It has occasional connections to the practices and some extensive resources for meeting the needs of various groups of learners.
 MyMath (K-5) https://www.mheonline.com/program/view/1/16/2557/mymath2013/ o This series is fairly traditional. It has some connections to the practices that are good, such as having student talk in groups about their work, and it has some resources for meeting the needs of various groups of learners.
Middle School:
 Connected Mathematics (6-8), CMP - http://connectedmath.msu.edu/ o A good series, not great. I like that lessons start with investigations by the students and that the deeper understanding emphasized by the CCSS comes through. I don’t think it’s as rigorous as it should be.
 CPM (College Preparatory Mathematics) Foundations (6-12, MS level 1-3) http://www.cpm.org/teachers/index.htm
o I continue to hear good things about this series. I really like the collaborative focus – having students really talking about math! I see many of the CCSS practices emphasized, though I think it could still improve in this area.
 Math in Context (6-8, level 1-3) http://mathincontext.eb.com/ o This series has some nice projects for middle school math students. I think they’d be a great supplement to a curriculum or tool in a BYOC environment. I don’t think they could effectively act as a complete stand-alone curriculum.
 MathScape http://www2.edc.org/mathscape/ o No review yet.
 Math Thematics http://holtmcdougal.hmhco.com/hm/series.htm?level2Code=MSIB10010&level3Code=3_MM o No review yet.
 Big Ideas Math (6-8) http://www.bigideasmath.com/ o I’m hearing about a number of schools that are adopting this series. I wouldn’t recommend it.
It’s much too traditional, meaning long pages of procedural problems. Though, it does align with the content of the CCSS and includes an occasional opportunity for students to express their reasoning.
 UCSMP (Chicago) http://ucsmp.uchicago.edu/ o I thought this secondary level continuation of Everyday Math had some potential, but I hear more and more that teachers don’t like it.
High School:
 CME (Pearson) – Integrated Math I, II and III http://cmeproject.edc.org/ o http://www.pearsonschool.com/index.cfm?locator=PS1bFt&PMDbSiteId=2781&PMDbSolutio nId=6724&PMDbSubSolutionId=&PMDbCategoryId=806&PMDbSubCategoryId=933&PMDbSu bjectAreaId=&PMDbProgramId=102081 o No review yet.

 Core – Plus http://www.wmich.edu/cpmp/ o A research-based, integrated math program that looks pretty good, though I haven’t received direct teacher feedback.
 CPM (College Preparatory Mathematics) http://www.cpm.org/ o Ebook preview: http://www.cpm.org/technology/eBookPreview.htm
o I continue to hear good things about this series. I really like the collaborative focus – having students really talking about math! I see many of the CCSS practices emphasized, though I think it could still improve in this area.
 IMP (Interactive Mathematics Program) http://www.mathimp.org/ or http://imp.its-about-time.com/ o This is a four-year, integrated HS math program Alg I through Trig/Pre-Calc material. It is research-based and emphasizes a problem-solving approach. I haven’t heard anything about this series from teachers actually using it.
 UCSMP (Chicago) http://ucsmp.uchicago.edu/ o As noted above, I thought this secondary level series had some potential, but I hear more and more that teachers don’t like it.
Links to Sites with Rich Mathematics Tasks
 http://www.illustrativemathematics.org/ - rich math tasks from a group that includes some of the CCSS writers
 http://illuminations.nctm.org/nctm.org
- great resource from NCTM
 http://www.insidemathematics.org/ - I really like their teacher videos that also have student work samples
– could lead to some great PLC activities
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 www.yummymath.com
- great source for rich math tasks http://blog.mrmeyer.com
- look to the three act tasks, and sign up for his updates. I think his work is some of the best out there for engaging all students in math thinking. Direct link to three-act tasks: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AjIqyKM9d7ZYdEhtR3BJMmdBWnM2YWxWYVM1UWowTEE
 www.mathalicious.com/ - Mathalicious has a $185/teacher annually w/ unlimited students.
This is a great database of real-world, rich math problems. Can you find a lot of great problems online for free? Yes, but if you’ve got the bucks it might be nice to have someone do that work for you.
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Balanced Assessment – tasks from an NSF and Harvard project - http://balancedassessment.concord.org
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Math Assessment Project - http://map.mathshell.org/materials/index.php
- dig around under lessons, tasks and tests to find challenging student problems.
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Opus Math – http://www.opusmath.com/common-core - a growing listing by common core standard of math word problems and tasks. Most are for 7 th and 8 th grade, but it’s growing for 4-6 and HS.
Links to Other Web-based Resources
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Strategies for Struggling Learners, links from REL Northwest - http://educationnorthwest.org/resource/1679
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National RtI Center - http://www.rti4success.org/instructionTools
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Wisconsin RtI Center - http://www.wisconsinrticenter.org/assets/files/Mathematics_interventions.pdf
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RtI resources from Pat Quinn - http://thertisite.learningtodayonline.com/inter/Default.aspx
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RtI in Math from Solution Tree - http://go.solution-tree.com/rti/Reproducibles_RTIM.html
(ES) and http://go.solution-tree.com/rti/Reproducibles_RTIMHS.html
(MS and HS)
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National Library of Virtual Manipulatives Website - > http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/category_g_4_t_2.html
A great website for teaching Algebra, such as solving equations. It gives some very visual examples of abstract concepts. Home page: http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/vlibrary.html
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Thinking Blocks – K-6 – http://www.thinkingblocks.com/ - like the NLVM has virtual manipulatives
(“blocks”) that students can use to help them understand problems.
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Decimal Squares – http://www.decimalsquares.com/ - another virtual manipulatives site focused on decimal understanding.

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Geogebra - http://www.geogebra.org/cms/en/ - lots of free materials and interactive software for geometry, algebra, stats, and calc
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Math Learning Center - http://catalog.mathlearningcenter.org/apps - free apps for early geometry, number sense and place value
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Shodor Website - http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/ has tons of cool applets and electronic activities to use for teaching math, an Algebra quiz is especially good.
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Cool Math Website - http://www.coolmath.com/algebra/index.html
my students really liked some of the math and logic games on this website. It also provides practice problems where the answers are worked out.
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Gamequarium Website - http://www.gamequarium.com/algebra.htm
this site has Algebra videos and other free electronic resources.
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Utah Education Network Common Core Resources - http://www.uen.org/commoncore/#moverview - If you select a grade level, you can find a set of links, including some rich problems, related to each standard.
Lots of great resources here!
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Learn Zillion is a new Khan Academy-like database of short videos on lots of topics – http://learnzillion.com
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Eric Milou’s site - lots of resource ideas - https://sites.google.com/site/emilou2010/
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Steve Leinwand’s site – insightful presentations available - http://steveleinwand.com/presentations-2/
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Molly Rockstroh’s (from DePere) list of activities and assessments in math - http://www.cesa2.org/List%20of%20Math%20Activities%20and%20Assessment%20Resources_Rockstroh.
xls
Math Books of Note
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Response to Intervention in Math by Paul Riccomini and Bradley Witzel. I’ve used this book in my math sessions for support teachers.
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Minds on Mathematics – Using Math Workshop to Develop Deep Understanding in Grades 4-8 by Wendy
Hoffer
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Accessible Mathematics by Steven Leinwand. Applicable to all grade levels, with succinct chapters.
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Math Exchanges -Guiding Young Mathematicians in Small Group Meetings by Kassia Omohundro
Wedekind. Helpful in implementing a math workshop approach at the elementary level.
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Math Sense - The Look, Sound, and Feel of Effective Instruction by Christine Moynihan. Focuses on the math environment and the role that teachers and students play in math lessons.
Research note from Professor Mitch Nathan of UW-Madison:
Overall, the research literature suggests that the effects of curricula on learning are small, once the effects of student factors (e.g., socio-economic status, educational level of parents), teacher factors (level of teacher preparation, quality of implementation) and school factors (available scholastic resources) are controlled for.
While some studies do show positive effects for specific curricula, these are not all compared against the same control curricula. Overall, reform curricula developed with funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF)
(e.g., Everyday Mathematics and Investigations at the elementary grades, and CMP at the middle school grades) that emphasize a constructivist philosophy, with a strong emphasis on individual and collaborative problem solving, use of manipulatives, and concept development do as well or better than other, commercially available curricula, especially with regard to historically underserved or low-performing populations of students.