Investigations in Number Data & Space

Haven’t heard of it, but would like to know more. What can you tell about it? Why did you like it? How does it compare to Saxon?

http://www.terc.edu/investigations/index/html/index.html

Now, I’m going back to explore. What I looked at in the curriculum portion seemed very project-oriented and excellently designed.

I have used many of the Investigations in the past with students in Grades 1-5 that have LD and ED . The kids really love it but I found I had to supplement in some skill/facts area , as the program makes some assumptions about general knowledge base without actually addressing basic fact issues. I will never use Saxon again. At the moment, I am teaching Middle School( 6-8) and using Connected Math, which is similar. We are having success and modifiying as we go, due to the heavy language base, which I also found true for the Investigations. Having said that, it does work well , as long as you control the pace and include some regular review of language concepts . These programs are very much in line with NCTM standards and our states Learning Results Standards.

I can’t say enough good things about Investigations. As I said in my eariler post, we struggled in Saxon. Last year my first grade son was having a very difficult time with number sense. Math Facts made no sense to him. When I asked him to explain to me 8 + 5 =13, he simply said ” I just know it”, but he could not represent it on paper. That’s when I knew I had to look elsewhere. I researched for over 7 months and spoke to many professors in the math education field. They consistantly recommended Investigations. I love it!!!!! The longer we are using it the more I like it. My now second grader loves it. You have to have faith in it The program does not rely on math facts, but works to develop math understanding. A series of books I STRONGLY recommend to go along with investigaitons is “Young Mathematicians at Work”. The authors are Cahterine Twomey Fosnot and Maarten Dolk. These books gave me a foundation of faith that has made be better at teaching Investigations to my child. I am much more relaxed and confident. This program is expensive but well worth it. I does take some planning to teach. But I have found that I enjoy the sessions as much as my child.

The school district I work with uses it with great results. It takes math to a different level, making it more realistic. It is used more with the merged ed classes, and helps with higher level thinking. Our district uses it in conjunction with Scott-Foresman as the regular curriculum.