Frequently Asked Questions
MathLinks Programs
Grades 6–8 MathLinks: Essentials
Grades 5–9 MathLinks: Supplementals
Limited instruction time · Coming Soon MathLinks: Pre-Algebra Collection
Intervention · Coming Soon
MathLinks: General
What programs do you offer?
- MathLinks: Core (2nd ed.) – for grades 6–8
- MathLinks: Essentials – for intervention, grades 5–9
- MathLinks: Supplementals – for limited instruction time
- MathLinks: Pre-Algebra Collection – for intervention
How do the various MathLinks programs differ from one another?
MathLinks: Core consists of complete and cohesive courses that fully address all of the Common Core Standards for Grades 6, 7, and 8, and are designed to be accessible to a wide range of learners.
MathLinks: Essentials is a flexible, modular program that focuses on the major work of middle school mathematics. It makes content accessible to all learners and helps students catch up in mathematics so they are prepared for algebra and beyond. Modules and/or units may be combined in any way users see fit to meet students’ needs.
MathLinks: Supplementals offers options for limited instruction time. It is a collection of lessons, activities, and games that help teachers make the most of limited time.
MathLinks: Pre-Algebra Collection is a comprehensive year-long program, but lessons and practice may be drawn from the program and used based on student needs and interests.
MathLinks: Core (2nd ed.) Grades 6–8
Is MathLinks: Core (2nd ed.) available now?
Yes! MathLinks: Core (2nd ed.) was enthusiastically recommended for adoption in California. It is now available for all schools/districts to review, pilot, or purchase.
What are the basic components of MathLinks?
Each grade level is made up of 10 units of study. Teacher Editions (TE – 1 per unit) are available in print and electronic formats. Consumable Student Packets (SP – 1 per unit) are available in print and on a virtual platform. The Teacher Portal (TP) has unit resources and general resources. A few manipulatives are included for the 7th and 8th grade programs.
How can I pilot MathLinks: Core (2nd ed.)?
Request pilot information by filling out this form or email Cynthia Raff at cynthia@www.cmatmathlinks.org.
What does a pilot include?
We offer free pilots for one unit of a 10-unit course. You get up to 40 Student Packets for free, and digital access to the Teacher Edition, slide decks to support lesson delivery, assessments, and many extra resources via our secure Teacher Portal.
Do you charge to pilot the curriculum?
No, we do not charge for the basic pilot. If your pilot extends beyond the basic 40 students, or if you want to pilot any additional units, the cost is $4.00 per Student Packet per student.
Do you provide Professional Development before piloting?
Yes, we provide a free one-hour Zoom overview of all of the student and teacher components. If you prefer in-person PD, you will be charged for our travel expenses only. We are based in the Los Angeles area.
Does the curriculum clearly show how it meets the new CA math framework?
Yes, MathLinks: Core (2nd ed.) Grades 6–8 meets ALL requirements of the California Mathematics Framework, as confirmed by a CA adoption review committee.
What general supports are embedded for differentiation?
Every unit includes a “Planning for Different Users” chart and a “Strategies to Support Different Users” chart. These charts identify features and specific suggestions for English learners, struggling learners, advanced learners, and enrichment.
What specific supports are provided for English learners?
Every unit includes a teaching tip about “Developing Language Skills through MathLinks.” Here you’ll find language objectives by lesson, group discussion ideas to promote reading, listening, and speaking, and journal ideas to promote writing.
A “Text File for Translation” (with no graphics or numbers) can be translated through a service like Google Translate and used side-by-side with the Student Packet on an as-needed basis. Finally, targeted, intentional vocabulary development routines are provided in every Student Packet.
What specific supports are provided for struggling learners?
The “Strategies for Different Learners” chart in every unit provides lesson-specific suggestions for struggling learners. The Student Packet is formatted with a structured, uncluttered workspace for students. “Watch-Fors” in every Teacher Edition are alerts for common errors on pages where you may see them.
In the Teacher Portal, an “Essential Skills” problem set with just-in-time intervention options is provided for every unit, and the “Assessment, Follow-up, and Feedback Chart” gives diagnostic, formative, and summative suggestion options, with reteaching ideas if needed.
What specific resources are provided for enrichment and advanced learners?
Every unit has a Teaching Tip that describes specific activities and resources for “Enrichment and Challenges for Advanced Learners.” Additionally, there are “Nonroutine Problems” for every unit in the Teacher Portal. These provide a variety of challenging problems, including some from the Math Olympiad.
What kinds of features do you have to engage students?
In addition to a variety of hands-on activities in every program, we include technology activities; puzzles, games, and card sorts; real-life and mathematical investigations; math talks and data talks; problems that connect to the environment; and suggestions to celebrate student identity and culture.
“Activity Routines” are recurring features in all courses. There are about 10 routines per grade level, and they generally appear in all grades. Students report they especially like the “Poster Problems,” “Big Square Puzzles,” and “Why Doesn’t It Belong” discussions.
What kind of assessments are included with the curriculum?
MathLinks includes both formative and summative assessment options. Some of the formative assessments are pre-assessments, journals, a Monitor Your Progress feature, and Packet Reflection. Some summative assessment options are Quizzes, Tests, Projects, and Tasks. With the lesson-by-lesson “Assessment, Follow-up, and Feedback” charts, teachers can determine which path will best meet students’ needs.
What resources are available to teachers?
A print Teacher Edition for each unit includes information on planning lessons, content and practice standards, the big ideas of the course in the unit, language development, and enrichment, just to name a few items.
Teachers also have access to a wide variety of resources through the Teacher Portal. Some of these are: the Teacher Edition, Slide Decks, Student Packets (for projection), Essential Skills for just-in-time intervention, Skill Boosters to help fill bigger gaps, Nonroutine Problems for enrichment, Tasks, Projects, Quizzes, Tests, Technology Activities, Getting Started videos, and a wealth of Program Information that explains the philosophy and program design.
What resources are available for parents/guardians?
Parent Letters (in English and Spanish) and Student Resource Guides are available for every MathLinks unit on the public website. All Student Packets are available for viewing.
What am I permitted to print?
All resources in the Teacher Portal are available to print except for Student Packets. These must be purchased (in print and/or digital formats).
Do you have textbooks and online access?
Most students work in a consumable Student Packet, and a digital format is also available. Students may also view Student Packets and Student Resource Guides on the website.
How is MathLinks: Core (2nd ed.) different from the 1st edition?
Both programs provide accessible mathematics content to a broad range of learners, with a strong focus on developing conceptual understanding, while building in meaningful problem-solving and skills practice. Some significant changes in the 2nd edition include (1) a more explicit focus on the Big Ideas of the grade, (2) opening problems that create interest and a need to know, (3) slide decks and lesson notes to guide instruction, and (4) a Teacher Portal with resources for review, intervention, and enrichment.
MathLinks: Essentials Grades 5–9
How do the various MathLinks programs differ from one another?
MathLinks: Core consists of complete and cohesive courses that fully address all of the Common Core Standards for Grades 6, 7, and 8, and are designed to be accessible to a wide range of learners.
MathLinks: Essentials is a flexible, modular program that focuses on the major work of middle school mathematics. It makes content accessible to all learners and helps students catch up in mathematics so they are prepared for algebra and beyond. Modules and/or units may be combined in any way users see fit to meet students’ needs.
MathLinks: Supplementals offers options for limited instruction time. It is a collection of lessons, activities, and games that help teachers make the most of limited time.
MathLinks: Pre-Algebra Collection is a comprehensive year-long program, but lessons and practice may be drawn from the program and used based on student needs and interests.
What is MathLinks: Essentials?
MathLinks: Essentials is a flexible, modular program focused on the major work of middle school mathematics. It makes content accessible to all learners and helps students catch up in mathematics so they are prepared for algebra and beyond. Modules and/or units may be combined in any way users choose to meet students’ needs.
How is MathLinks: Essentials used?
MathLinks: Essentials is used in summer programs, intervention programs, and with Special Education students to help students systematically catch up on the major work of the middle grades and some important work in the upper elementary grades. It is suitable for grades 6–9.
How does MathLinks: Essentials meet the needs of struggling learners?
Design principles, based on math intervention research and the work of various experts, were incorporated into the program. For example, hands-on and conceptual approaches help students make meaning, and a structured workspace helps students stay focused.
How can I determine which MathLinks: Essentials modules/units should be used?
We offer several short pre-assessments to help you determine which modules/units may be needed for your students. See Checklists and Pre-assessments.
How can MathLinks: Essentials be used as a comprehensive program?
Can MathLinks: Essentials be used as a core curriculum?
Carefully chosen combinations of MathLinks: Essentials packets address the major work of the middle grades (fractions, integers, proportional reasoning, expressions and equations, and functions). While this does not address all of the content standards for any particular grade, it may be an appropriate plan for students who need a well-thought-out catch-up program.
What electronic resources are available for students and teachers?
Students: A digital version of the Student Packets is available for download to a device. Students may use a pen or a text box to respond to questions and return work to teachers via screenshots. Students will also find Student Packets available for viewing on the website.
Teachers: Teachers have access to a wide variety of resources through the Teacher Portal. Packet Resources include the Teacher Edition, slide decks, the Student Packet for viewing, extra problem banks, and assessments. General Resources include Getting Started videos and Skill Boosters.
Can MathLinks: Essentials packets be purchased individually?
Yes. All Student Packets are sold separately to allow for flexible design.
What professional development is needed to use MathLinks: Essentials with fidelity?
Short videos that explain the program components and activity routines are available on the secure website for teachers.
Some professional development may be beneficial given the unique format and non-routine approaches. We find that educators who attend professional development led by MathLinks authors report that they appreciate the time to dig deeper into mathematics content and pedagogy, benefit from collaborating with peers, and feel better equipped to teach MathLinks lessons with fidelity.
What resources are available for parents/guardians?
For each Student Packet, Parent Letters (in English and Spanish) and Student Packets (for viewing) are available on the public website.
What materials are permitted to print?
All resources in the Teacher Portal are available to print, except for Student Packets. These must be purchased in print and/or digital formats.
Do you have research or data to support your approaches or results?
Yes. See Data and Feedback for information.
MathLinks: Supplementals Coming Soon
For limited instruction time. FAQs for this program will be posted here soon.
MathLinks: Pre-Algebra Collection Coming Soon
For intervention. FAQs for this program will be posted here soon.
Still have questions? We’re happy to help.
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