Pitsco's Signature Math Creating a Buzz

Individual, whole-class, and real-world applications come together

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Jan 16, 2012, 08:25 ET

PITTSBURG, Kan., Jan. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A unique blend of technology, individual lessons, whole-class presentations, and small group activities, Pitsco Education's new Signature Math engages students and gives them ownership of their learning - all while meeting 100% of Common Core State Standards.

Signature Math uses 180 Individualized Prescriptive Lessons™ (IPLs) and 35 Culminating Group Activities (CGAs) to reach learners from Grades 7-10 with practical applications for pre-algebra and Algebra I concepts. IPLs enable students to learn at their own pace; CGAs use hands-on activities and small group settings to apply the concepts learned.

Taken individually, IPLs assess a student's grasp of core math concepts, prescribe lessons accordingly for targeted instruction, and then gauge the student's comprehension with mastery tests. From diagnostic test to mastery test, each IPL runs no longer than 30 minutes, which means students can complete at least one lesson per class session, enhancing their overall sense of accomplishment.

"The multiple methodologies employed in the solution speak to all learners," says Pitsco Director of Education Matt Frankenbery. "That said, the reality of school finances has generally focused school officials' attention on their most needy math students. It is these students who have shown tremendous gains using our solution."

Included in the targeted instruction is a fail-safe. Should a student fail a mastery test, he cannot proceed and the instructor must intervene before the student moves on. Teacher Andrew Baker, of Carolina High School & Academy in Greenville, S.C., says he's witnessed an added benefit for students.

"I think the best part of the new IPLs is the improvement to help struggling readers. Students who struggle with reading are now able to listen to the lesson dialogue," Baker said. "Also, with the addition of graphics and interactions, the material is now presented conceptually. Students are able to engage more with the new concrete approach."

After a student completes an entire unit of IPLs, they move to the CGAs - small group, team-based activities designed to reinforce concepts learned in the IPLs. Written and aligned to core math concepts, CGAs include a whole-class presentation, teacher and student curriculum guides, and hands-on activities. Students are placed into groups and tasked to solve real-world problems using the math concepts they just learned via hands-on activities. CGAs build communication, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.

Examples of CGAs and related IPLs:

Real Number System CGA: Real Number System IPL, Ordering Numbers IPL, Order of Operations IPL, Prime Factorization IPL, Scientific Notation 1 IPL, Scientific Notation 2 IPL
Quadratics CGA: Graphing Quadratics I IPL, Graphing Quadratics II IPL, Solving Quadratics by Graphing IPL, Quadratic Formula IPL, The Discriminant IPL
Systems of Equations CGA: Systems of Linear Equations - Graphs IPL, Systems of Linear Equations - Substitution IPL, Systems of Linear Equations - Elimination IPL, Systems of Inequalities IPL

Images:
http://www.ereleases.com/pic/CGA-IPL-Grouped.jpg
http://www.ereleases.com/pic/IPL-Instr-Workflow.jpg

For more information about Pitsco Pre-Algebra and Algebra I solutions, visit http://www.pitsco.com/algebra. Learn more about Pitsco at http://www.pitsco.com.

Contact: Communications Manager Tom Farmer, 800-828-5787, [email protected]

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SOURCE Pitsco Education