Math & YOU

Name: Math & YOU
Brand: Big Ideas Learning, LLC

by Big Ideas Learning, LLC

MathGrades K–8

About This Curriculum

<cite index="7-3,7-4">Math & YOU is a seamless and comprehensive K-8 curriculum that sparks curiosity and encourages students to make instructional connections that enhance their deeper-level understanding of mathematics and its relevance</cite>.

What makes it unique: <cite index="9-2">Designed to connect students with real-world applications of mathematics and make math more meaningful and applicable to everyday life</cite>.

Math & YOU: Inquiry-Based K-8 Mathematics Curriculum

Math & YOU is a K-8 mathematics curriculum published by Big Ideas Learning that emphasizes inquiry-based learning and aims to help students make connections to deepen their understanding of mathematics and its real-world relevance. The curriculum has received positive ratings from EdReports across all three gateways for alignment, rigor, and usability.

Best for

K-8 schools seeking an inquiry-based math curriculum with strong standards alignment and comprehensive teacher supports

Evaluation Criteria

3 strengths · 1 concern · 2 neutral · 3 insufficient evidence

Teacher TrainingStrength

EdReports confirmed the curriculum meets expectations for teacher supports and usability. This suggests adequate teacher guidance materials are included.

EdReports Gateway 3 rating of 'Meets Expectations' for usability includes teacher supports as a key component

Sequencing ApproachStrength

The curriculum demonstrates coherent sequencing and focus on grade-level standards. EdReports confirmed strong alignment and coherence across grade levels.

EdReports Gateway 1 rating of 'Meets Expectations' for focus and coherence, indicating proper sequencing aligned to grade-level math standards

Conceptual Procedural BalanceStrength

The curriculum appears to balance conceptual understanding with procedural skills effectively. EdReports rated it as meeting expectations for rigor and mathematical practices, indicating appropriate balance.

EdReports Gateway 2 rating of 'Meets Expectations' for balance of conceptual understanding, procedural skill, and application

Direct InstructionConcern

The curriculum's inquiry-based pedagogy may limit direct instruction opportunities. This approach typically emphasizes student discovery over teacher-led explicit instruction.

Curriculum is described as 'inquiry-based' which typically involves less direct instruction and more student-led exploration

Word ProblemsNeutral

The curriculum emphasizes real-world connections and relevance, suggesting attention to application problems. However, systematic word problem instruction is not explicitly documented.

Curriculum description mentions 'relevance' and making connections, but specific word problem instruction methodology is not detailed

Assessment DiagnosticNeutral

EdReports rated the curriculum positively for assessment components as part of overall usability. Specific diagnostic features are not detailed in the reviews.

EdReports Gateway 3 'Meets Expectations' rating includes assessment as part of usability evaluation

Worked ExamplesInsufficient Evidence

Evidence is insufficient to determine the curriculum's use of worked examples. The available reviews do not address this instructional feature.

No specific information about worked examples or step-by-step modeling provided in the reviews

Retrieval PracticeInsufficient Evidence

The reviews do not provide information about retrieval practice or spaced review components. Assessment features are not detailed in available sources.

No mention of cumulative review, retrieval practice, or spaced repetition in the available review materials

Visual RepresentationsInsufficient Evidence

Information about visual models and manipulatives is not available in the provided reviews. The inquiry-based approach may incorporate visuals, but specifics are not documented.

Reviews do not mention specific visual representations, manipulatives, or concrete-representational-abstract progressions

Sources: edreports.org, cathyduffyreviews.com