Catering to a wide range of students by integrating activities for a variety of learning styles, Discover! Math has a good mix of problems and activity-based exercises using various activities like graphic organizers, matching, drawing, and other hands-on applications. Correlating with national standards, each lesson presents an engaging storyline, direct instruction with pictorial examples, written practice, and several other activities. Algebraic concepts are introduced in the earlier grades to develop a more conceptual understanding of math. Each lesson is around 8-10 pages and usually takes 2-3 days to complete. Different math manipulatives or household items are suggested in the lessons for games or to enhance learning. Reviews are at the end of each chapter in the student book. Assessments are included in the teacher book or the Assessment Book and offer two different options, written or project based – a nice option for different learners. Answers and Grading Rubrics are included in the Instructor Guide.
Each package includes an Instructor Guide, Student A Workbook for first
semester, Student B Workbook for second semester, and the Assessment Book.
Currently these are only sold as a set, and are not available individually.
The Instructor Guide is a useful asset to the
parent and complements the worktext. Instructions are easy to follow. Each
lesson begins by listing the lesson objectives then moves directly into the
teaching. Grades one and two include both italicized scripted text (telling the
parent exactly what to say) and standard text (tips for implementing the
lesson). Grades three and up no longer include the scripted text but still have
plenty of tips and support for each section in the student book. Every lesson
also includes activity suggestions for different learning styles, booster, as
well as extension activities. Some lessons also have suggested co-op
activities. Answers to the student workbook are at the end of each lesson in
the instructor guide. The back of the guide has blackline masters of math
templates, models, charts, and references for parents to use throughout the
course.
Consumable Student Workbooks are in
full-color and begin with lesson objectives, lesson review (if needed), and
introduce any vocabulary such as number line, data, graph, etc. Next are the
Explore, Read, and Practice sections. Students read real life examples or
stories, direct instruction is provided, and pictorial examples are shown.
Practice problems allow students to apply what they have learned. The Skill
Builder and Show What You Know sections build on previous skills and provide
more review and practice. Sharpen Your Skills practice math facts either using
digital or physical flashcards. Other suggested play or project activities vary
per lesson.
If you love Singapore and Montessori math philosophies, take a look at this program. Using a scaffolding approach, it focuses on manipulatives and concrete elements in the earliest stages of development and moves into pictorial and abstract learning as student’s progress. The stories are relatable to the students as they solve real life math problems. ~ Gina