All About Accelerated Math

1. All AboutAccelerated Math Presented by Kelly Watson

2. Accelerated Math • Introduction to Accelerated Math (AM) • How AM Works • Overview of AM Reports • Individualizing Practice & Instruction • Managing the AM Classroom

3. Introduction to AM:What is Accelerated Math? • A computerized information system • Helps teachers manage students’ math learning: • Individualizes math practice & testing • Scores work & keeps records • Reduces teacher paperwork

4. Introduction to AM:How does Accelerated Math work? • Prints individualized practice assignments & tests for each student • Scores student work automatically • Prints individual & class reports that help you plan instruction and monitor progress

5. Introduction to AM:How does Accelerated Math work?

6. How AM Works:Assigning Practice & Exercises Types of Assignments: • Practice • Exercise • Diagnostic • Tests

7. How AM Works:Assigning Practice & Exercises Practice Assignments: • Produced automatically • Results from previous practice assignment determine content of next practice assignment • May include problems for: • New objectives • Unsuccessful objectives • Review

8. How AM Works:Assigning Practice & Exercises Exercises: • Can print individualized or identical assignments…basically, customizable practice assignments • You select students, objectives & the number of problems • Use to introduce concepts, reteach & review • Exercise problems count toward qualifying for testing on an objective

9. How AM Works:Assigning Tests Tests: • Students are tested only on objectives they succeeded with on practice assignments or exercises • Test problems are similar to practice problems • Unsuccessful objectives are automatically included on the next test

10. Overview of AM Reports:What are they? • AM generates more than 30 different types of reports • Provides up to the minute information to monitor students’ progress, diagnose difficulties & make instructional decisions based on their individual needs • Most used reports – TOPS, Status of the Class & Diagnostic Reports

11. Overview of AM Reports:TOPS Report • Automatically prints when any AM assignment is scanned • Students see which objectives they understand and which need more work • Immediate feedback motivates students • Helps you diagnose difficulties

12. Overview of AM Reports:Status of the Class Report • Gives you a daily snapshot of your class • Print or view report at the end of the day or before math class • Manage students’ work • Identify students who aren’t working steadily • Decide which student should take tests • Identify students who need help • Plan instruction

13. Overview of AM Reports:Diagnostic Report • Summarizes progress & alerts you to difficulties • Monitors individual students & the whole class • Checks each student’s pace & understanding • Identifies struggling students • Select any time period for report • One week - to monitor current work and spot problems • Marking period - shows progress towards goals & allows you to assign a grade

14. Individualizing Practice & Instruction:Appropriate AM libraries • Most math classes have students working above, at, & below grade level • If all students do the same work: • Some are bored because work is too easy • Some are discouraged because the work is too hard • Most classes will use 2 or more libraries: • For example, a 5th grade class might have students in 4th, 5th & 6th grade libraries • If in doubt, place the student in a lower library

15. Individualizing Practice & Instruction:How to individualize math practice • Try to balance instructional time with practice time • You teach skills during a lesson – but students can’t master the skill without practice • For example…some days may have a longer lesson, while others may be entirely practice • Don’t forget about small group instruction & practice • Use power lessons – brief, focused lessons • Presents a manageable amount of information • Reinforced with immediate practice • Use to introduce or review concepts & skills, as well as for whole group lessons

16. Managing the AM Classroom:How to get AM started • Getting & staying organized is the key • Organization is based on 3 essential elements: • Instruction– small group & whole class power lessons • Brief & focused – lasting 15-30 minutes • Math practice time – students work problems and scan assignments • Students average 30 minutes per day on math practice • Intervention – monitoring student learning & helping students who are having difficulty • Takes place during small group lessons with students having similar problems

17. Managing the AM Classroom:Setting up your AM classroom • Set up a computer, laser printer & scanner in your classroom or central location • Set up your classroom using the Assignment Book • Place students in appropriate libraries • Assign several objectives to each student • Print practice assignments or exercises • Plan routines for organizing materials, scanning assignments, taking tests, and getting & giving help • Before you begin using AM, teach students the daily routine

18. Accelerated Math