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| Raising math achievement by the power of 2 |
| Math Together makes math real and exciting, motivating third- and fourth-grade students to investigate and experiment in an environment which promotes math literacy. Math Together integrates language arts and social studies with intensive mathematics problem solving to develop critical thinking and analytical skills. Students build competence and confidence in math, as they improve their reading, writing and understanding of U.S. history. Math Together incorporates many of the reading strategies used in our successful Reading Together program, such as predicting, rereading and guided oral reading, and adds metacognitive strategies focusing on problem solving. |
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What is the format? Every 45-minute tutorial follows an established format so tutors and tutees know what to expect and move comfortably through each lesson. Click on the links below to see sample lessons or read more about Math Together. |
- Phase I (15 lessons) - Tutors and tutees take turns reading aloud from passages about historical figures and events. Launch activities explore concepts to be covered in the lesson. Tutors introduce SOLVE, a paradigm that prompts tutees as they solve word problems. Tutees write their own problems based on the passage. At lessons’ end, tutors and tutees write in journals, reinforcing math concepts and writing skills.
- Phase II (15 lessons) - Follows the same format, with higher-level problem solving.
Phase I is used in summer programs; Phase II may be used as a continuation in the fall.
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| Who benefits? Math Together targets students who are below grade-level proficiency in math problem solving skills and who can decode when reading, but who may not be able to comprehend what they read. |
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| What are the standards? Math Together is based on the National Council of Teacher of Mathematics (NCTM) Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (Pre-K through 12). The lessons teach the five content stands (numeration, measurement, algebra, geometry and data analysis) by embedding math concepts and problems within content-rich passages, addressing problem solving, fact mastery and writing. The content of the stories, while incorporating fifth-grade social studies curriculum, is written on a third-grade level. Thus, both tutor and tutee maintain interest in and learn from the stories. |
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| What are the results? Initial case studies of Math Together demonstrate the potential for very positive results. Teachers and coordinators report that tutees and cross-age tutors are experiencing the same positive outcomes as Reading Together participants. We’ll keep you updated. Interested in being a Math Together test site? Ask us how. |
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| Move students beyond memorization to become confident mathematicians. |
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 |  | Peer assisted learning, usually tutoring, could revolutionize (mathematical) practice. When kids are partnered up, one strong student and one weaker student, achievement is always improved.
—Gersten, 2003 |
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