Jump Math

We've had several requests to add this systematic, mastery-based, Canadian math series created with the idea that all students can succeed at math. We offer print workbooks and assessment books. Teacher guides and other resources are available as free downloads from Jump Math at www.jumpmath.org/us.

JUMP (Junior Undiscovered Math Prodigy) Math is a numeracy program. Not sure what that means? Think "literacy" with numbers. Numeracy, a term coined in the UK, means the ability to reason and to apply simple numerical concepts. Developed in Canada to encourage an understanding as well as a love of math, JUMP Math is also an evidence (research) based approach. Since its price tag might cause you to assume it's a supplemental program or to seriously underestimate its scope, it might help to know that there are extensive teacher materials available online and they are FREE! Funded by charitable donations, the heart-of-the-program Teacher Resources (teacher guides, lesson plans, blackline masters, mental math, sample quizzes and tests, answer keys and more) are all provided as pdf files. You can print them out or use from your computer. It's rather simple, too - just set up an online account. But be prepared to spend some time familiarizing yourself with the website, the program and the Canadian way of labeling material. Primarily intended to be used by teachers in a classroom, the program's goals are to lead students through guided discovery, asking Socratic questions, providing harder challenges and activities while all the while being involved in immediate assessment and feedback.

Since so much is available online, you're probably wondering what is in these consumable, semester worktexts - only some barebones instructions and practice exercises. Called Practice and Assessment books (AP), they are nevertheless an essential part of the teacher-student interaction that characterizes the program. Used at the end of the lessons, they provide practice as well as the on-going assessment - a useful diagnostic - that is the basis for the teacher-student interaction.

The detailed lessons plans are keyed to specific pages in the AP book and are fully correlated with the CCSS. Sections include Goals, Prior Knowledge Required, Materials, Activity and Extensions as well as very specific instruction with worked examples and intermittent work. Blackline Masters for each lesson provide reproducible/printable worksheets and activities. Lesson structure includes short explanations, exercises and bonus questions, and incrementally increase in challenge. Quizzes are every five lessons (on average) with Tests after every 2-3 quizzes. An online answer key is available for grades 3-8 AP books.

There is no glitz whatsoever in this program - however it is cleanly done and very well-constructed. For those appreciative of or patient with (depending on your viewpoint) the online atmosphere, this program is a tremendous value, offering solid math instruction, good teacher support, an attractive learning environment (i.e. teacher-student interaction), and a standards-based teaching progression. 200 - 215 pgs, pb ~ Janice