4th Grade - Gateway 2

Grade 4 My Math materials develop conceptual understanding of key mathematical concepts, especially where called for in specific content standards or cluster headings.

• The content in chapters 1-6 and 8-10 specifically and fully address standards which are explicitly outlined as conceptual standards (4.NBT.A, 4.NBT.B and 4.NF.A).
• Of the 119 lessons, 51 are focused specifically on the conceptual understanding standards.
• Most lessons in the series have a section "Investigate the Math" which targets conceptual understanding. This is contained in the online lesson presentation. For example, page 491B, teacher edition.
• All lessons in the series have a section "Talk Math" which targets conceptual understanding. This is contained in the online lesson presentation. For example, page 491-492, teacher edition.
• The majority of the homework contains problems which provide students the opportunity to view and to demonstrate their conceptual understanding. For example, pages 83, 661 and 673-674, teacher/student edition.
• Procedures for division is emphasized in Grade 4. More attention is needed for the conceptual understanding of division.
• Procedures for multiplication is emphasized in Grade 4. More attention is needed for the conceptual understanding of multiplication.

The Grade 4 My Math materials give attention throughout the year to individual standards, which sets an expectation of procedural skill and fluency. Lessons contain multiple examples of fluency practice pages.

• Lessons contain multiple examples of fluency practice pages.
• In the student edition fluency practice pages in chapters 2 and 6. For example, chapter 2, pages 119-120, and chapter 6, pages 399-400.
• Homework contains multiple opportunities for students to practice fluency.
• A "Fact Dash" game is available online with the student login to practice fluency. Students can select the operation and number facts.
• Each chapter in the online teacher edition has additional fluency pages available for printing.
• "Sail through the Math" is an app game for fluency is available for purchase ($1.99).
• Seven lessons out of 119 address 4.NBT.B.4 and are in chapter 2.
• Procedural skills are present in the majority of the lessons. For example, page 169, teacher/student edition, contains procedural skill.

Grade 4 My Math materials are designed so teachers and students spend sufficient time working with engaging applications of the mathematics, without losing focus on the major work.

• The teacher edition states "Math in My World," "HOT (Higher Order Thinking) Problems," and "Real-World Problem Solving Readers" address application.
• While "Real-World Problem Solving Readers" are available to provide additional problems, they were not reviewed by EdReports.org as they are not included in the basic package with the student and teacher editions and were therefore considered supplementary.
• The majority of lessons begin with "Math in My World" which uses real-world problems to introduce concepts. For example, chapter 7, lesson 2, page 419.
• The majority of "HOT Problems" address application (for example, pages 488, 508 and 514, teacher/student edition).
• Real-world problems are found in the majority of lessons and homework assignments.
• "Count-down to Common Core" provides performance tasks requiring application of the standards.

The Grade 4 My Math instructional materials meet the expectations for balance. Overall, the three aspects of rigor are neither always treated together nor always treated separately within the materials, and there is a balance of the three aspects of rigor within the grade.

• At the beginning of each lesson a "rigor" section exists to identify levels of complexity by problem or exercise number. For example, chapter 10, lesson 6 has four problems for conceptual learning (understand concepts), eight problems for fluency/procedural skill (apply concepts), and five problems for application (extend concepts).

In the Grade 4 My Math, the Standards for Mathematical Practice (MPs) are identified and used to enrich mathematics content within and throughout Grade 4. Overall, the instructional materials do not over-identify or under-identify the MPs, and the MPs are used within and throughout the grade.

• The teacher edition, pages T22-T24 state the MPs and the corresponding pages.
• The practices are identified throughout all 119 lessons. Each lesson has three to four practices as a focus.
• The student edition does indicate which MP the student is working in the lesson and in the homework.

The instructional materials reviewed for Grade 4 My Math meet the expectations for prompting students to construct viable arguments and analyze the arguments of others concerning key grade-level mathematics detailed in the content standards. Overall, the materials consistently allow students to construct viable arguments and prompt students to analyze other students' arguments.

• Materials provide opportunities for students to construct viable arguments independent of the teacher.
• The majority of "HOT Problems" have students constructing viable arguments. For example, pages 110, 258 and 582, teacher/student edition.
• Some problems in the homework have students constructing viable arguments. For example, pages 504, 662, 679 and 844.
• More time is given to constructing arguments than analyzing the arguments of others.

The Grade 4 My Math instructional materials explicitly attend to the specialized language of mathematics. Overall, the materials for both students and teachers have multiple ways for students to engage with the vocabulary of mathematics that are consistently present throughout the materials.

• The special language of mathematics is a strength of the series.
• Individual vocabulary cards are found at the beginning of each chapter in the student edition.
• Vocabulary checks are included in some homework assignments. For example, chapter 10, lesson 1, page 636.
• Vocabulary assessments can be created online.
• Virtual word walls are available online.
• "Match the Pairs" is an interactive vocabulary component.
• "Check my Progress" assesses vocabulary.
• Each chapter begins with a foldable supporting vocabulary development.
• At the beginning some chapters contain "My Math Words." For example, chapter 5, page 274.
• The teacher, student, and online editions contain extensive glossaries in English and Spanish.
• Lessons contain mathematical terminology.