BeCALM (Beginning Curriculum for Adults Learning Math) contains remote-ready units for adult learners who need math instruction at beginning levels (GLE 2-4). Adults who are beginning math learners sometimes find themselves left behind by high school equivalency curricula or stuck trying to memorize their way through calculations they don’t understand. What these learners need is a conceptually-focused, cognitively rigorous curriculum that supports them in developing number sense. Number sense is the ability to break down and recombine numbers in useful ways, based on a conceptual understanding of how numbers work. Developing number sense can help beginning learners improve their mathematical fluency without memorization as well as build a solid foundation for later study.
This online workshop will introduce a curriculum specifically designed to help beginning level math learners develop their number sense with whole numbers. This resource can be used for remote or in-person classes and includes a student packet and teacher’s guide. Participants will receive electronic copies of all the materials.
Note: A second part of this curriculum will be introduced in a training on Feb 18, BeCALM Part 2 Operation Sense: Remote-Ready Curriculum for Beginning Math Learners (GLE 2-4).
Attending both workshops is encouraged, but not mandatory.
- ABE teachers and administration at all levels of math ability and comfort
This professional development activity/course is designed for:
During the workshop, you will be introduced to the materials and will hear recommendations for their use from the facilitator, who developed and piloted them with her own class. You will explore some of the math content in the packet, including estimation and number lines, and have the opportunity to view some video clips of the pilot class in action.
Note: Many of the activities in this unit are from EMPower Plus Everyday Number Sense and were adapted for beginning level learners and for remote teaching. The math content in this unit is appropriate for students with a math level GLE 2–4 (CCRSAE Math level A–B), and are also appropriate for students with limited reading levels.
- Explain the value of number sense for beginning math learners
- Gain familiarity with the materials and some of the activities in the packet
- Consider the math concepts involved in estimation, rounding, and number lines
Upon completion of this professional development activity/course, you will be able to:
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