Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Why are the program organized in packets?
Packets give students a manageable chunk of content to study. They allow students to focus on mathematics, rather than copying problems. Structured workspace helps struggling learners to see patterns and complete assignments. Advanced learners answer questions more completely because space is provided for writing.
Do you have an electronic version of your program?
Yes. Student packets are provided in a no-print format. Teachers may project no-print packets for instructional use, and students may access them and copy work onto their own paper if they lose their packets.
A digital format will be available in August, 2020. This will allow students to download the Student Packets onto a device and use a pen or text box to respond to questions. Student Pages can be returned to a teacher via screen shot. Assessments will be available through this format as well.
Does the program utilize technology?
Yes. The program promotes the use of technology for exploration of concepts, but is not technology driven. All MathLinks technology activities are open source and available to all. We have partnered with mathematics technology leaders like Desmos and Geogebra to align many of their meaningful activities directly to our lessons. Many technology activities come with a MathLinks worksheet as a companion to the technology activity to facilitate deeper thinking and connect it to a MathLinks lesson.
What resources are available for parents/guardians?
Parent letters aligned to each student packet are located on our website. Each letter explains some of the approaches used in that packet so that parents are better able to assist students. All letters are available in English and Spanish.
A parent may also request access to needed teacher resources if the parent is an authorized instructor in a home-school situation.
Can we purchase the rights to print the materials by ourselves?
Not at this time.
Do you need to use state adopted text in the classroom?
No. According to the CDE website, as of 2013, local Education Agencies (LEA) do not need to use state-adopted materials as long as material selected align to the Common Core State Standards and the majority of the committee who reviews materials locally are classroom teachers.
Where can we find California Mathematics Standards?
They are available online. One link is: California Common Core Standards – Mathematics
Do we still need to follow the Williams Act?
Yes. Each LEA determines which components to purchase based on its students’ needs and to ensure that all of the state content standards in that subject and grade level are addressed.
How can I obtain more information about MathLinks materials?
To request more information, please contact us at info@mathandteaching.org.
To request portal access to view all materials, please contact Cary Matthews (cary@mathandteaching.org).
Can I pilot MathLinks materials?
Yes. Please contact Cynthia (cynthia@mathandteaching.org) to pilot MathLinks: Core or MathLinks: Essentials.
MathLinks: Core (Grades 6, 7, 8)
How is MathLinks: Core different than other programs?
MathLinks: Core was written from the ground up, after CCSS-M and other guiding documents (such as the Progressions Documents) were released and fully digested by the authors. Students experience a cohesive, coherent, and efficient treatment of the content and practices detailed in CCSS-M. Strong conceptual development of all topics using strategies appropriate for struggling learners makes content accessible to all students, while providing enrichment for those who excel. Each grade level is organized into 16 consumable packets so that students and teachers focus on manageable chunks of content. The program is filled with engaging activities, including many that use easily accessed manipulatives. Students routinely tackle problems and tasks, which are embedded into the curriculum. Skill Builders in every lesson provide spiraled practice of all skills and concepts.
How does MathLinks: Core scaffold for different levels of learners?
The “low floor-high ceiling” design of lessons allows teachers to differentiate instruction within lessons. For example, students may use a model to build a pattern and graph inputs and outputs, but questions that push student thinking about concepts related to the slope-intercept form of a line are also included. Teachers may choose to speed through or skip review lessons. Time may then be used for Proficiency Challenges and Tasks, which will push advanced students to use their mathematical thinking in non-routine ways.
How does MathLinks: Core meet the needs of struggling learners?
Design principles, based on the work of experts such as Julie Sliva Spitzer, were incorporated into the program. These include paying special attention to knowing your learner, creating a positive classroom culture, increasing communication and participation, differentiating instruction, and making connections. For example, consumable packets with structured workspace help students stay focused. Think-aloud sentence frames help students model appropriate thinking processes and behaviors.
How does MathLinks: Core address the needs of English Learners?
Design principles, based on the SIOP model and other research-based work, were incorporated into the program. These include attention to lesson preparation, building background, comprehensible input, instructional strategies, student interaction, and review. For example, every lesson includes a clear content objective, vocabulary activity, and vocabulary list. Suggested group configurations encourage students to practice language with elaborate responses.
What kind of assessments and projects are included in MathLinks: Core?
At the end of each packet, students practice Selected Response problems and complete a Knowledge Check. In the Assessment options, two forms of a Quiz and a Proficiency Challenge are provided for each packet, as well as one or more Tasks, some of which are projects. Short Tests for each packet are comprised of mainly multiple choice and some short answer problems. These Tests are intended to be combined to make periodic, summative assessments.
Can we purchase MathLinks: Core packets individually?
Yes. All Student Packets can be purchased individually. However, keep in mind that this is a full year program and content progresses throughout the packets. You may want to consider our modular program, MathLinks: Essentials, which addresses much of the major work of middle school without being a comprehensive course.
Are the MathLinks: Core packets editable?
No. Only the Assessments and Skill Boosters are editable.
Was MathLinks: Grade 6, 7, and 8 adopted by the state of California?
Yes and no. MathLinks: Grade 8 was adopted by the CA Board of Education in 2014. At that time, Grade 6 and Grade 7 were not complete, so they were not submitted. However, they follow the same design principles and attention to detail as the Grade 8 program. Alignments to confirm they meet adoption criteria are available upon request.
What kind of Professional Development is needed to implement MathLinks: Core with fidelity?
Due to the unique format and non-routine approaches, professional development is highly recommended, though not mandatory. We find that educators who attend regular professional development led by MathLinks authors report that they appreciate the time digging deeper into mathematics content and pedagogy, they benefit from collaborating with peers, and they feel better equipped to teach MathLinks lessons with fidelity.
MathLinks: Essentials
How does MathLinks: Essentials differ from MathLinks: Core?
MathLinks: Essentials addresses much of the major work of grades 5-8 without being a comprehensive course. This program consists of 6 modules. Each module has 3 consumable or digital student packets, and each packet takes about 10 typical class periods.
Can we purchase MathLinks: Essentials packets individually?
Yes. All Student Packets are sold separately to allow flexible design.
How is MathLinks: Essentials being used?
MathLinks: Essentials has been used in summer programs, intervention classes, and as supplemental materials in a wide variety of classrooms, including special education. Currently, many districts are using this program to help students catch up due to lost instructional time during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Can MathLinks: Essentials be used for distance learning?
Yes. Starting in August 2020, a digital format will allow students to work remotely. Slide decks and lesson notes will help teachers guide lessons.
How does MathLinks: Essentials scaffold for different levels of learners?
The “low floor-high ceiling” design of lessons allows teachers to differentiate instruction within lessons. For example, students may use a model to build a pattern and graph inputs and outputs, but questions that push student thinking about concepts related to slope-intercept form of a line are also included.
How does MathLinks: Essentials meet the needs of struggling learners?
The same design principles used in MathLinks: Core, based on the work of experts such as Julie Sliva Spitzer, were incorporated into this program. Conceptual approaches are used to create meaning out of what students are seeing and structured workspace helps students stay focused.
How does MathLinks: Essentials address the needs of English Learners?
As with MathLinks: Core, the same design principles, based on the SIOP model and other research-based work, were incorporated into the program. These include attention to lesson preparation, building background, comprehensible input, instructional strategies, student interaction, and review. For example, every lesson includes a clear content objective, vocabulary activity, and vocabulary list.
What kind of assessments are included with MathLinks: Essentials?
Two forms of a Quiz are provided for each packet, as well as a Problem Bank that can be used for assessment or extra practice.
Are the packets editable?
No. But the Quizzes, Problem Bank, and Skill Boosters (short skill review routines) are editable.
What Professional Development is needed to implement MathLinks: Essentials with fidelity?
Short videos that explain the program components and some of the routines are available on the secure website for teachers. But some professional development is recommended due to the unique format and non-routine approaches. We find that educators who attend professional development led by MathLinks authors report that they appreciate the time digging deeper into mathematics content and pedagogy, they benefit from collaborating with peers, and they feel better equipped to teach MathLinks lessons with fidelity.
What level of intervention is targeted with MathLinks: Essentials?
Generally speaking, MathLinks: Essentials is geared more toward the RTI Tier 1 and Tier 2 levels because it is well-suited to be used in a typical-sized or reduced sized classroom setting. It can be used for a more personalized Tier 3 situation if desired.