Math in Focus 2020 Accelerated Course Manipulatives

Math in Focus 2020 maintains the strong Singapore concrete-to-pictorial-to-abstract methodology with a few updates. The con­sumable, softcover student edition has per­formance tasks and STEAM exercises at the end of each chapter. There are no workbooks; however, the Extra Practice & Homework Books have taken the place of the workbooks in the older edition. Although the scope and sequence is very similar to the older editions, the program is based on the newer Singapore Ministry of Education syllabus and some of the lessons have been reorganized. If you are using an older edition and desire to switch to the 2020 edition, you should be able to do this seamlessly. This mastery program combines conceptual instruction with hands-on learning to aid students in building stronger math sense and problem-solving skills.

The main components for the 2020 edition include a Teacher Edition, Student Edition, and Extra Practice & Homework Books for each semester. The spiral-bound Teacher Edition is a classroom teacher guide. It is in full-color and includes lesson plans and pacing guides for each chapter, a reduced copy of the student pages with answers, instructions for using manipulatives, and differentiated math instruction for struggling, on-level, and advanced students. Please note there are references to online features and assessments that are not available to homeschool users. 

Student Editions are also in full-color and include the core of the student learning. Step-by-step instruction, various dia­grams and examples, and individual practice are all included in the student edition. In fact, there might be some overlap between the teacher guide and student edition instruc­tion, but the teacher edition is still neces­sary to implement required manipulatives, use remediation or enrichment ideas, and have answers to the student book. Extra Practice & Homework books are beneficial for students that need additional practice to build mastery in the concepts learned. These are available for Grade 2+. Answers are not included; how­ever, we will email you a PDF answer key upon request with proof of purchase. The Assessments Book (also Grade 2+) pro­vides cumulative review, chapter tests, and mid-year and end-of-year tests. Answers are in the back of the book. Optional Manipulative Kits are available for your convenience.

Math in Focus promotes a strong emphasis on problem solving as well as critical thinking, and helps students develop a deeper understand­ing of concepts as they are taught the “why” behind math. This program works well for stu­dents that do better focusing on one concept at a time, like the use of manipulatives, and do not like the traditional drill and memorization of math facts approach.