2022

Snappet Math

Publisher
Snappet
Subject
Math
Grades
K-5
Report Release
12/13/2023
Review Tool Version
v1.5
Format
Core: Comprehensive

EdReports reviews determine if a program meets, partially meets, or does not meet expectations for alignment to college and career-ready standards. This rating reflects the overall series average.

Alignment (Gateway 1 & 2)
Meets Expectations

Materials must meet expectations for standards alignment in order to be reviewed for usability. This rating reflects the overall series average.

Usability (Gateway 3)
Meets Expectations
Our Review Process

Learn more about EdReports’ educator-led review process

Learn More

About This Report

Report for 4th Grade

Alignment Summary

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 meet expectations for Alignment to the CCSSM. In Gateway 1, the materials meet expectations for focus and coherence. In Gateway 2, the materials meet expectations for rigor and the practice-content connections.

4th Grade
Alignment (Gateway 1 & 2)
Meets Expectations
Gateway 3

Usability

24/27
0
17
24
27
Usability (Gateway 3)
Meets Expectations
Overview of Gateway 1

Focus & Coherence

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 meet expectations for focus and coherence. For focus, the materials assess grade-level content and provide all students extensive work with grade-level problems to meet the full intent of all grade-level standards. For coherence, the materials are coherent and consistent with the CCSSM.

Criterion 1.1: Focus

06/06

Materials assess grade-level content and give all students extensive work with grade-level problems to meet the full intent of grade-level standards.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 meet expectations for focus as they assess grade-level content and provide all students extensive work with grade-level problems to meet the full intent of grade-level standards.

Indicator 1A
02/02

Materials assess the grade-level content and, if applicable, content from earlier grades.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 meet expectations for assessing grade-level content and, if applicable, content from earlier grades.

The curriculum is divided into eight units with one assessment per unit, with the exception of Units 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6. Unit 1 includes two Summative Assessments that assess Lessons 1.1 - 1.7 and Lessons 1.8 - 1.15. Unit 2 includes two Summative Assessments that assess Lessons 2.1 - 2.10 and Lessons 2.11 - 2.20. Unit 4 includes two Summative Assessments that assess Lessons 4.1 - 4.8 and Lessons 4.9 - 4.16. Unit 5 includes two Summative Assessments that assess Lessons 5.1 - 5.5 and Lessons 5.6 - 5.12. Unit 6 includes two Summative Assessments that assess Lessons 6.1 - 6.7 and Lessons 6.8 - 6.14. Assessments include Unit Summative Assessments and formative assessments. Examples include:

  • Unit 1: Numbers, Assessment: Lessons 1.8 - 1.15, Exercise 4a, students sort whole numbers as prime or composite. “Sort the numbers. 3, 4, 5, 12, 19.” (4.OA.4)

  • Unit 2: Operations with Whole Numbers, Assessment: Lessons 2.1 - 2.10, Exercise 1c, students use the standard algorithm to add multi-digit whole numbers. “In Minnesota, 64,374 people had a leg injury. In Texas, 537,826 people had a leg injury. How many people had a leg injury in both states? ___ people.” (4.NBT.4)

  • Unit 4: Operations with Fractions, Assessment: Lessons 4.1 - 4.8, Exercise 7c, students use properties of operations to add fractions. “Use the Commutative and Associative Properties to find the sum 928+258+1189\frac{2}{8}+2\frac{5}{8}+1\frac{1}{8}. ” (4.NF.3)

  • Unit 7: Geometry, Assessment: 7.1 - 7.7, Exercise 1a, students classify shapes by properties of their lines.“How many line segments are in this shape?” Students choose from, “3, 4, 5, 6.” (4.G.1)

  • Unit 8: Geometric Measurement, Assessment: 8.1 - 8.6, Exercise 1a, students find the measure of an angle using a circle. “The angle measurement of the five colored parts in all is ___°.” (4.MD.5)

Materials include above-grade assessment items that could be removed or modified without impacting the structure of the materials. For example:

  • Unit 2: Operations with Whole Numbers, Assessment: Lessons 2.1 - 2.10, Exercise 3b, students multiply to compare answers. “Which product is the greatest?” Students select from  the answer choices, “28×42228\times422, 91×9791\times97, 52×29352\times293” This problem is aligned to 4.NBT.5(Multiply a whole number of up to four digits by a one-digit whole number, and multiply two two-digit numbers, using strategies based on place value and the properties of operations. Illustrate and explain the calculation by using equations, rectangular arrays, and/or area models.) This problem better aligns to 5.NBT.5 (Fluently multiply multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm.)

Indicator 1B
04/04

Materials give all students extensive work with grade-level problems to meet the full intent of grade-level standards.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 meet expectations for giving all students extensive work with grade-level problems to meet the full intent of grade-level standards.

The materials present opportunities for students to engage with the full intent of grade-level standards through a consistent lesson structure. According to the Snappet Teacher Manual, 3. Lesson Structure, “Snappet lessons are organized by learning objective and focus on one learning objective per lesson. Each lesson consists of three parts: Instruction and guided practice, Independent and adaptive practice, and Small group instruction.” Within Instruction and guided practice, “The teacher introduces the learning goal, activates prior knowledge, delivers the lesson, and monitors guided practice.” Within Independent and adaptive practice, students work independently “while receiving immediate feedback, and are continuously challenged at their own level while working in adaptive practice.” Within Small group instruction, “The teacher can help students who need additional support with these extension exercises.” Examples of full intent include:

  • Unit 4: Operations with Fractions, Lessons 4.6 and 4.9, and Unit 5: Solve Word Problems, Lesson 5.10 engage students with the full intent of 4.NF.3c (Add and subtract mixed numbers with like denominators…) In Lesson 4.6, Instruction & guided practice, Exercise 2g, students add mixed numbers with common denominators. “315+125=3\frac{1}{5}+1\frac{2}{5}=___.” In Lesson 4.9, Independent practice, Exercise 2i, students subtract mixed numbers with common denominators. “4610=17104\frac{6}{10}=1\frac{7}{10}-___.” In Unit 5: Solve Word Problems, Lesson 5.10, Instruction & guided practice, Exercise 1i, students add two mixed numbers within a word problem context. “A bread recipe calls for 2182\frac{1}{8} cups of white flour and 1381\frac{3}{8} cups of whole wheat flour. How many cups of flour are needed altogether? If possible, simplify. 218+138=2\frac{1}{8}+1\frac{3}{8}=___.” 

  • Unit 5: Solve word problems, Lesson 5.4, engages students in the full intent of 4.OA.3 (Solve multi-step word problems posed with whole numbers and having whole-number answers using the four operations, including problems in which remainders must be interpreted. Represent these problems using equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantity. Assess the reasonableness of answers using mental computation and estimation strategies including rounding.)  In Exercise 1h, students use mental math to check the solution to a multistep problem, “Grace makes 5 pies. She divides the pies in 8 pieces. She gets 39 guests on her birthday. Grace thinks she has enough cake. Check with mental math of this can be correct.” In Exercise 2a, students independently use mental math to check the solution, “Maison buys 5 sweaters for 19 euros and 3 trousers for 45 euros. Maison has 200 euros.  He thinks he has enough money to buy everything. Check with mental math if Maison is correct. Maison is ___, because:___.”

  • Unit 6: Measurement and data, Lesson 6.14 engages students with the full intent of 4.MD.4 (Make a line plot to display a data set of measurements in fractions of a unit (12\frac{1}{2}, 14\frac{1}{4}, 18\frac{1}{8}$$). Solve problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions by using information presented in line plots.) In Exercise 1n, students use the data provided in the line plot to solve an addition of fractions problem.  “Andrew has different lengths of rope.  If he puts all the pieces of 45\frac{4}{5} in a row, what would the total length be?”  In Exercise 2i, students independently use the data from a line plot to solve a fraction problem.  “What is the total length of the two 68\frac{6}{8} pencils?”

  • Unit 7: Geometry, Lesson 7.7 engage students with the full intent of 4.G.3 (Recognize a line of symmetry for a two-dimensional figure as a line across the figure such that the figure can be folded along the line into matching parts. Identify line-symmetric figures and draw lines of symmetry.) Instruction & guided practice, Exercise 1g, students draw and determine the number of lines of symmetry in different figures. “Use a ruler to draw one or more lines of symmetry. The butterfly has ___ lines of symmetry.” Independent practice, Exercise 2a, students determine the correct line of symmetry. “Tap on the line of symmetry.” Independent practice, Exercise 2h, students determine the number of lines of symmetry. “A. This letter has ___ line(s) of symmetry.”

  • Unit 8: Geometric Measurement, Lessons 8.2 and 8.3 engage students with the full intent of 4.MD.6 (Measure angles in whole-number degrees using a protractor. Sketch angles of specified measure.) In Lesson 8.2, Instruction & Guided Practice, Exercise 1i, students use a protractor to measure and draw angles. “What is the measure of the angle?” Independent practice, Exercise 2b, students use a protractor to measure an obtuse angle. “What is the measure of this angle? 40°40\degree, 50°50\degree, 130°130\degree, 140°140\degree” In Lesson 8.3, Instruction & guided practice, Exercise 1n, students draw an angle with an exact measurement with a protractor. “Draw a 165°165\degree angle with your protractor. Label the vertex with the letter D.”

The materials present all students opportunities with extensive work with grade-level problems within a consistent daily lesson structure, including Instruction & guided practice, and Independent practice. Examples of extensive work include:

  • Unit 2: Operations with Whole Numbers, Lessons 2.16, 2.17, and 2.18 engage students in extensive work with 4.NBT.6 (Find whole-number quotients and remainders with up to four-digit dividends and one-digit divisors, using strategies based on place value, the properties of operations, and/or the relationship between multiplication and division. Illustrate and explain the calculation by using equations, rectangular arrays, and/or area models.) In Lesson 2.16, Instruction & guided practice, Exercise 1m, students divide using the standard algorithm. “Use the diagram or paper and pencil. 822÷6=822\div6=___.” In Lesson 2.17, Independent practice, Exercise 2i, “Use an area model or partial quotients to solve. 2,024÷8=2,024\div8=___.” In Lesson 2.19, Independent practice, Exercise 2g, students solve “Seventeen darts sit on the table. They are divided into sets of 3. How many full sets are there? How many remain? ___ whole sets ___darts.”

  • Unit 3: Fractions, Lesson 3.5 engages students in extensive work with 4.NF.3b (Decompose a fraction into a sum of fractions with the same denominator in multiple ways). Instruction & guided practice, Exercise 1d, students draw to show another decomposition of a sum of fractions. “Ethan is making pizza. On each piece, he uses tomato, cheese, and one extra topping: pepperoni, onions, or mushrooms. He can do it this way: 28\frac{2}{8} pepperoni + 38\frac{3}{8} onion + 38\frac{3}{8} mushroom. Think of another way. Draw to show.” Independent practice, Exercise 2c, “Show two ways you could find the sum. 710=\frac{7}{10}=__\frac{}{}__++__\frac{}{}__++__\frac{}{}__ or 710=\frac{7}{10}= \frac{}{}++__\frac{}{}__++__\frac{}{}__” Independent practice, Exercise 2h, “Tap on the two addition problems that have the same sum.” Students choose from “35+15+15\frac{3}{5}+\frac{1}{5}+\frac{1}{5}, 25+35\frac{2}{5}+\frac{3}{5}, 25+25+35\frac{2}{5}+\frac{2}{5}+\frac{3}{5}, 35+25+15\frac{3}{5}+\frac{2}{5}+\frac{1}{5}”. 

  • Unit 5: Solve Word Problems, Lesson 5.1 engages students in extensive work with 4.OA.1 (Interpret a multiplication equation as a comparison, e.g., interpret 35=5×735=5\times7 as a statement that 35 is 5 times as many as 7 and 7 times as many as 5. Represent verbal statements of multiplicative comparisons as multiplication equations.) Instruction & guided practice, Exercise 1f, “4×8=124\times8=12, Write a comparison sentence that represents the equation. 4 times as ____ as ____ is 32.” Independent practice, Exercise 2j, “Farmer Harry has 4 times as many pigs as chickens. He has 9 chickens on the farm. How many pigs does he have? Farmer Harry has ___ pigs.” Independent practice, Exercise 2g, “42 is 6 times as many as 7, Write an equation that represents the comparison sentence.  ____=6×=6\times ____.” 

  • Unit 7: Geometry, Lesson 7.1 and Lesson 7.4, engages students in extensive work with 4.G.1 (Draw points, lines, line segments, rays, angles (right, acute, obtuse), and perpendicular and parallel lines. Identify these in two-dimensional figures.) in Lesson 7.1, Independent practice, Exercise 2i, students identify the number of lines, lines segments and points associated with a shape. “This shape has ___ line segment(s), ___ lines, and ___ points where lines meet.” In Lesson 7.4, Independent practice, Exercise 2f, students identify a pair of parallel lines.  Students see 5 lines intersecting each other.  “Which line is parallel to line b?”

Criterion 1.2: Coherence

08/08

Each grade’s materials are coherent and consistent with the Standards.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 meet expectations for coherence. The materials: address the major clusters of the grade, have supporting content connected to major work, make connections between clusters and domains, and have content from prior and future grades connected to grade-level work.

Indicator 1C
02/02

When implemented as designed, the majority of the materials address the major clusters of each grade.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 meet expectations that, when implemented as designed, most of the materials address the major clusters of each grade. The materials devote at least 65 percent of instructional time to the major clusters of the grade: 

  • The approximate number of units devoted to the major work of the grade (including assessments and supporting work connected to the major work) is 6 out of 8, approximately 75%.

  • The number of lessons devoted to major work of the grade (including assessments and supporting work connected to the major work) is 86 out of 111, approximately 77%. 

  • The number of weeks devoted to major work of the grade (including assessments and supporting work connected to the major work) is 26 out of 35, approximately 74%.

A lesson-level analysis is most representative of the materials as the lessons include major work, supporting work connected to major work, and the assessments embedded within each unit. As a result, approximately 77% of the materials focus on major work of the grade.

Indicator 1D
02/02

Supporting content enhances focus and coherence simultaneously by engaging students in the major work of the grade.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 meet expectations that supporting content enhances focus and coherence simultaneously by engaging students in the major work of the grade.

Materials are designed to connect supporting standards/clusters to the grade's major standards/ clusters. These connections are listed for teachers in the Course Overview/Pacing Guide and Teacher Guides within each unit. Examples of connections include:

  • Unit 6: Measurement and Data, Lesson 6.9, Independent Practice, Exercise 2j, students solve a multi-step word problem involving measurement. “An 8 foot shelf is full of boxes. If each box is 8 in. long, how many boxes fill the shelf? ___ boxes.” This connects the supporting work of 4.MD.2 (Use the four operations to solve word problems involving distances, intervals of time, liquid volumes, masses of objects, and money, including problems involving simple fractions or decimals, and problems that require expressing measurements given in a larger unit in terms of a smaller unit) to the major work of 4.OA.3 (Solve multistep word problems posed with whole numbers and having whole-number answers using the four operations, including problems in which remainders must be interpreted).

  • Unit 6: Measurement and Data, Lesson 6.10, Independent Practice, Exercise 2j, students solve a multi-step word problem involving time. “It takes 1 hour and 5 minutes to get ready. It takes 18 minutes to walk to the bus stop. What is the latest I can wake up? I should wake up by ___ AM. Draw your jumps on paper, if needed.” An image of a clock shows 8:25 AM and arrival time 9:05 AM. This connects the supporting work of 4.MD.2 (Use the four operations to solve word problems involving distances, intervals of time, liquid volumes, masses of objects, and money, including problems involving simple fractions or decimals, and problems that require expressing measurements given in a larger unit in terms of a smaller unit) to the major work of 4.OA.3 (Solve multistep word problems posed with whole numbers and having whole-number answers using the four operations…).

  • Unit 8: Geometric Measurement, Lesson 8.6, Instruction & Guided Practice, Exercise 1f, students solve a multi-stop work problem using their knowledge of shapes. Students see a pizza with two portions of the pizza eaten. “There are ___° in a whole pizza. What is the angle measure of the share that was eaten? ___° + ___°=___° of the pizza was eaten.” This connects the supporting work of 4.MD.7 (Recognize angle measure as additive. When an angle is decomposed into non-overlapping parts, the angle measure of the whole is the sum of the angle measures of the parts. Solve addition and subtraction problems to find unknown angles on a diagram in real-world and mathematical problems, e.g., by using an equation with a symbol for the unknown angle measure.) to the major work of 4.OA.3 (Solve multistep word problems posed with whole numbers and having whole-number answers using the four operations, including problems in which remainders must be interpreted. Represent these problems using equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantity. Assess the reasonableness of answers using mental computation and estimation strategies, including rounding.)  

Connections between supporting work and major work of the grade that are entirely absent from materials:

  • No connections are made between the supporting work of 4.MD.4 (Make a line plot to display a data set of measurements in fractions of a unit (12\frac{1}{2}, 14\frac{1}{4}, 18\frac{1}{8}). Solve problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions by using information presented in line plots) to the major work of 4.NF.3 (Understand a fraction ab\frac{a}{b} with a>1a>1 as a sum of fractions 1b\frac{1}{b}.) In the lesson related to line plots, students do not have the opportunity to “solve problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions by using information presented in line plots.”

Indicator 1E
02/02

Materials include problems and activities that serve to connect two or more clusters in a domain or two or more domains in a grade.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 meet expectations for including problems and activities that serve to connect two or more clusters in a domain or two or more domains in a grade.

There are connections from supporting work to supporting work and major work to major work throughout the grade-level materials, when appropriate. These connections are listed for teachers in the Course Overview/Pacing Guide and Teacher Guides within each unit. Examples include:

  • Unit 2: Operations with Whole Numbers, Lesson 2.3, Independent Practice, Exercise 2a, students apply place value understanding to estimate products of multi-digit whole numbers, “8×192=8\times192=, 800,800, 1,000, 1,600,1,600, 1,800.” This activity connects the major work of 4.NBT.A (Generalize place value understanding for multi-digit whole numbers) with the major work of 4.NBT.B (Use place value understanding and properties of operations to perform multi-digit arithmetic).

  • Unit 2: Operations with Whole Numbers, Lesson 2.7, Independent Practice, Exercise 2j, students solve word problems involving multi-digit multiplication. “Jep’s sister is renting a room for 7 months. The rent is $376 per month. How much is the rent in total? Multiply numerically 7×376=7\times376= $___.” This activity connects the major work of 4.NBT.B (Use place value understanding and properties of operations to perform multi-digit multiplication) to the major work of 4.OA.A (Use the four operations with whole numbers to solve problems).

  • Unit 4: Operations with Fractions, Lesson 4.3, Instruction & Guided Practice, Exercise 1f, students solve a fraction addition problem and use their understanding of fraction equivalence to simplify the answer. “ 26+16=\frac{2}{6}+\frac{1}{6}=___==___.” This activity connects the major work of 4.NF.A (Extend understanding of fraction equivalence and ordering) to the major work of 4.NF.B (Build fractions from unit fractions by applying and extending previous understandings of operations on whole numbers).

  • Unit 8: Geometric Measurement, Lesson 8.1, Instruction & Guided Practice, Exercise 1c, students use geometric measurement to work with the concept of angles in circles. “How many angles are in each circle? In pairs, students use fraction circles to explore how angles are formed by two rays intersecting at the center of a circle. Find one third. Trace the angle with our finger. How can you describe the angle? (Obtuse.) How many fraction pieces make a whole circle? How many angles is that? Repeat with fourths and eighths. What happens to the size of each angle as you break the circle into more equal pieces?” This activity connects the supporting work of 4.MD.C (Geometric measurement: understand concepts of angle and measure angles) to the supporting work of 4.G.A (Draw and identify lines and angles, and classify shapes by properties of their lines and angles).

Indicator 1F
02/02

Content from future grades is identified and related to grade-level work, and materials relate grade-level concepts explicitly to prior knowledge from earlier grades.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 meet expectations that content from future grades is identified and related to grade-level work, and materials relate grade-level concepts explicitly to prior knowledge from earlier grades.

Prior and Future connections are identified within the Pacing Guide and every Lesson Overview. Connections are further described within each Unit Overview embedded in the Learning Progression. 

Examples of connections to future grades include:

  • Unit 5: Solve Word Problems, Lesson 5.11, Lesson Overview, “In this lesson, students will solve word problems by multiplying a fraction by a whole number. (4.NF.B.4.C) In future lessons, students will multiply a whole number by a fraction. (5.NF.B.4.A) use the area model for fraction multiplication (5.NF.B.4.B).”

  • Unit 6 Overview: Measurement and Data, Learning Progression, “In this grade level, students will choose an appropriate unit of measurement and convert between units of length, weight, time, and capacity. They will compare and order weights. They will also solve problems involving the perimeter and area of rectangles. They will solve problems involving time, liquid, volume, mass, distance, and money. They will also make and solve problems using the information in line plots. In future grade levels, students will continue to work with measurement, converting metric units of length, weight, and capacity (5.MD.A.1). They will measure volume by counting cubic units (5.MD.C.4). They will calculate the volume of right rectangular prisms and of composite figures (5.MD.C.5).” 

  • Unit 7 Overview: Geometry, Learning Progression, “In this grade level, students will learn about the similarities and differences between points, lines, line segments, and rays. They will determine if lines are perpendicular, parallel, or neither and then use this information to classify figures. They will also learn to recognize the different types of angles - acute, right, and obtuse, and then classify figures based on the types of angles it possesses. They will identify if a figure has one or more line(s) of symmetry (reflection), and then draw a reflected figure. In future grade levels, students will understand the coordinate system and plot ordered pairs (5.G.1). They will represent and solve problems by plotting points (5.G.2). They will also graph ordered pairs from patterns (5.OA.3).” 

Examples of connections to prior knowledge include:

  • Unit 1: Numbers, Lesson 1.15, Lesson Overview, “In prior lessons, students have recognized and determined patterns. (3.OA.D.8) In this lesson, students will analyze number patterns (4.OA.C.5).”

  • Unit 3 Overview: Fractions, Learning Progression, “In prior grade levels, students learned about unit fractions (3.NF.A.1). They represented fractions on a number line (3.NF.A.2). They also worked with equivalent fractions, renaming them and comparing them using models or symbols (3.NF.A.3). In this grade level, students will recognize and generate equivalent fractions. They will compare fractions using benchmarks, including those with different denominators. They will also decompose fractions into the sum of multiple fractions.” 

  • Unit 8: Geometric Measurement, Lesson 8.6, Lesson Overview, “In prior lessons, students have solved one-step measurement problems. (3.MD.A.2), draw a diagram to solve problems. (3.MD.A.2) In this lesson, students will recognize angle measures as additive and apply this knowledge to solve problems. (4.MD.C.7) compose and decompose angles to find unknown angles using the known angle measurements of 90, 180, and 360 degrees (4.MD.C.7).”

Indicator 1G
Read

In order to foster coherence between grades, materials can be completed within a regular school year with little to no modification.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 foster coherence between grades and can be completed within a regular school year with little to no modification. 

According to the Snappet Teacher Manual, 3.2 Student Discovery and Hands-On Learning, “Each lesson provides an opportunity for student collaboration and discovery. During this time students might be working with hands-on manipulatives or engaging in other activities such as measuring something together in the classroom. Every Snappet lesson balances working on the device as a group or independently and learning together cooperatively. Independent practice on the device usually consists of 25 minutes per day.” 

In Grade 4, there are approximately (27 - 35) weeks of instruction, including:

  • (135 - 175) lesson days, including unit assessment and Performance task days.

There are eight units in Grade 4 and, within those units, there are between 5 and 20 lessons: 

  • Snappet Teacher Manual, 6.2 Differentiation during the week, “Most methods in Snappet offer four instructional lessons per week and one lesson in which the students can continue to work independently within their own learning goals.” 

  • Snappet Teacher Manual, 4. Lesson structure, “Each lesson consists of three parts: Instruction and guided practice. The teacher introduces the learning goal, activates prior knowledge, delivers the lesson, and monitors guided practice. Independent practice and adaptive practice. The students continue to work independently while receiving immediate feedback and are continuously challenged at their own level while working in adaptive practice. Small group instruction. The teacher can help students who need additional support with these extension exercises.”

Overview of Gateway 2

Rigor & the Mathematical Practices

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 meet expectations for rigor and balance and practice-content connections. The materials meet expectations for the aspects of rigor and making meaningful connections between the Standards for Mathematical Content and the Standards for Mathematical Practice (MPs).

Criterion 2.1: Rigor and Balance

08/08

Materials reflect the balances in the Standards and help students meet the Standards’ rigorous expectations, by giving appropriate attention to: developing students’ conceptual understanding; procedural skill and fluency; and engaging applications.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 meet expectations for rigor. The materials help students develop conceptual understanding, procedural skills and fluency, application, and balance of the three aspects of rigor. 

Indicator 2A
02/02

Materials develop conceptual understanding of key mathematical concepts, especially where called for in specific content standards or cluster headings.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 meet expectations for developing conceptual understanding of key mathematical concepts, especially where called for in specific content standards or cluster headings.

Materials develop conceptual understanding throughout the grade level. According to the Snappet Teacher Manual, 1. Deeper Learning with Snappet Math, conceptual understanding is a part of the design of the materials. Balancing Rigor states, “Each lesson embeds Conceptual Learning as the foundation and is designed to progress students along the learning path that begins with Student Discovery, transitions to Applying in Concrete pictorial representations, and then provides opportunities for Processing in Abstract representations.” According to the Grade 4 Teacher's Edition Volume 1, “Snappet’s Student Discovery Phase of the lesson design helps teachers present important math concepts using hands-on manipulatives, games, and classroom activities. Virtual manipulatives are also provided for guided practice, and adaptive practice. The lesson design includes Concrete Pictorial Representations that utilize models and visuals during the lesson instruction. This approach helps teachers deliver high-quality instruction and builds a deeper understanding of math concepts for students.” Examples include:

  • Unit 1: Numbers, Lesson 1.2, Instruction & Guided Practice, Exercise 1j, students develop conceptual understanding as they learn to use place value understanding to read and write numbers. “1,111. Drag blocks to the chart to represent the number. Write the number in expanded form. The value of each digit has 1 more zero than the digit to its right.” Teacher tip, “Say: Starting with the tile in the ones column, look at the values on the number tiles. What changes as you go from right to left? [There is one more zero in each one.]” 4.NBT.2 (Read and write multi-digit whole numbers using base-ten numerals, number names, and expanded form..)

  • Unit 3: Fractions, Lesson 3.1, Instruction & Guided Practice, Exercise 1t, students develop conceptual understanding of equivalent fractions by drawing models. “Are these two fractions equivalent? “ 23\frac{2}{3} ___ 56\frac{5}{6}.” Teacher tip, “Have students draw a diagram showing two-thirds. Ask: How can you generate an equivalent fraction? [Divide each part in half.] Is the fraction you generated five-sixths? [No, it was four-sixths.]” 4.NF.1 (Explain why a fraction ab\frac{a}{b} is equivalent to a fraction (n×a)(n×b)(n\times a)(n\times b) by using visual fraction models, with attention to how the number and size of the parts differ even though the two fractions themselves are the same size. Use this principle to recognize and generate equivalent fractions.)

  • Unit 4: Operations with Fractions, Lesson 4.1, Instruction & Guided Practice, Exercise 1c, students develop conceptual understanding as they add fractions with unlike denominators. “Play this game in teams of two. On paper, divide a circle into 12 equal parts. Each player throws one number cube. Color as many pieces of the circle as the count on each cube. Each uses a different color for their parts. What part of the circle did you color? What part of the circle did your partner color? How much did you color together?” 4.NF.3c (Add and subtract mixed numbers with like denominators, e.g., by replacing each mixed number with an equivalent fraction and/or by using the properties of operations and the relationship between addition and subtraction.)

According to Snappet, “Student Discovery, Lessons begin with hands-on learning. Research supports that new concepts are best learned using manipulatives in real, informal situations. This learning serves as the basis for conceptual understanding. Apply in Concrete Actual situations are presented as a concrete representation using models and visuals. Students learn to establish the relationship between the actual situation and the concrete representation.” Guidance is given for the teacher to use with students who are struggling to complete the Independent Practice items. In the Snappet Teacher Manual, Section 3.2, states, “When the teacher has completed the instruction for the day, students are given the opportunity to practice independently on their new skills. Each lesson includes approximately ten practice problems that are scaffolded for difficulty and are common for the whole class. Students are then presented with ten adaptive exercises that are customized to their skill levels….While students are working on their practice problems, the teacher can monitor the progress of their class in real-time. If the teacher notices a student or groups of students struggling with their exercises, they can intervene and provide support targeted to the needs of the students. At the same time, students that are “getting it” can move directly into adaptive practice and receive more challenging practice problems customized to their skill levels.” Examples include:

  • Unit 2: Operations with Whole Numbers, Lesson 2.6, Independent Practice, Exercise 2i, students use place value to multiply numbers. “A school buys 8 large new blackboards for $397 each. How much do they cost in total? 397×8=397\times8= $___.” The teacher can support struggling students with teacher direction: “How do you know the product of a one-digit factor multiplied by a three-digit factor is reasonable? [Sample answer: 100 times 1 = 100 and 1,000 times 10 = 10,000, so the product must have three or four digits.]” 4.NBT.5 (Multiply a whole number of up to four digits by a one-digit whole number and multiply two two-digit numbers, using strategies based on place value and the properties of operations. Illustrate and explain the calculation by using equations, rectangular arrays, and/or area models.)

  • Unit 4: Operations with Fractions, Lesson 4.8, Independent Practice, Exercise 2a, students subtract mixed numbers with like denominators. “Click the colored sections to subtract. 36101310=3\frac{6}{10}-1\frac{3}{10}=.” The teacher can support struggling students with teacher direction: “Elicit from students that the model represents the minuend. Ask: How do you know how many to take away? [Sample answer: I take away the subtrahend.]” 4.NF.3c (Add and subtract mixed numbers with like denominators, e.g., by replacing each mixed number with an equivalent fraction and/or by using the properties of operations and the relationship between addition and subtraction.)

  • Unit 4: Operations with Fractions, Lesson 4.10, Independent Practice, Exercise 2f, students write a fraction as a multiple of a unit fraction. “Write the fraction as a multiple of a unit fraction. 512=5×\frac{5}{12}=5\times\frac{\square}{\square}.” The teacher can support struggling students with teacher direction: “Ask: How do you determine the unit fraction that is a factor? [The numerator is 1, and the denominator is the same as in the product.]” 4.NF.4a (Understand a fraction ab\frac{a}{b} as a multiple of 1b\frac{1}{b}.)

Indicator 2B
02/02

Materials give attention throughout the year to individual standards that set an expectation for procedural skill and fluency.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 meet expectations for giving attention throughout the year to individual standards that set an expectation of procedural skill and fluency. 

According to the Snappet Teacher Manual, “In Snappet, students will build understanding by problem-solving using Models, Number Sentences, and Word Problems to develop mathematical fluency.” Process in Abstract: “Concrete situations are replaced with abstract mathematical symbols such as dashes, squares, or circles. Different schemas, models and step-by-step plans are often used for this. Learning takes place at a higher, more abstract level, preparing students for practicing procedural skills, developing fluency, and applying concepts flexibly to different situations.” The Instruction & Guided Practice problems provide ongoing practice of procedural skills within lessons. Examples include: 

  • Unit 2: Operations with Whole Numbers, Lesson 2.1, Instruction & Guided practice, Exercise 1h, students develop fluency as they add multi-digit numbers. “2,123,698+46,000=2,123,698+46,000=___. 2,123,698+40,000=2,123,698+40,000=___. ___ +6,000=+6,000=___.” Teacher tip, “Encourage students to write the problems vertically on their own paper. Ask: Why is it helpful to write the problems vertically? [Sample answer: Addition can be accomplished by place value.] Ask: When do you regroup? [Sample answer: If the sum of a place is greater than 9, regroup.]” 4.NBT.4 (Fluently add and subtract multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm.)

  • Unit 2: Operations with Whole Numbers, Lesson 2.2, Instruction & Guided practice, Exercise 1m, students develop fluency in multi-digit subtraction as they solve using place value. “300,000197,528300,000-197,528.” Teacher tip, “Ask: To be able to subtract eight 1s, how do you regroup? [Sample answer: Subtract 1 from the 100,000s and add 10 to the 10,000s. Then repeat for each place until the 1s.]” 4.NBT.4 (Fluently add and subtract multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm.)

  • Unit 4: Operations with Fractions, Lesson 4.13, Instruction & Guided practice, Exercise 1g, students develop procedural skill and fluency as they add fractions with unlike denominators of 10 and 10. “710+17100=100+17100=100\frac{7}{10}+\frac{17}{100}=\frac{\square}{100}+\frac{17}{100}=\frac{\square}{100}” Teacher tip, “Explain that a dime is 1/10 of a dollar and a penny is 1/100 of a dollar. Ask: To get an equivalent fraction, why do you multiply the numerator and denominator of 4/10 by 10? [Multiplying the numerator and denominator by the same number is the same as multiplying by 1.] Why 10? [Sample answer: 100 is 10 times as many as 10.]” 4.NF.5 (Express a fraction with denominator 10 as an equivalent fraction with denominator 100, and use this technique to add two fractions with respective denominators 10 and 100.)

In the Snappet Teacher Manual, Lesson Structure, “Automating and memorizing, Automating and memorizing is embedded in the learning goals of the Snappet program where this skill is important. The moment that Snappet recognizes the student has mastered the arithmetic knowledge and skill of the learning goal, the system automatically switches to tasks aimed at automation and memorization. This is accomplished by using exercises that students must completed in a given amount of time. Using this method, identifies whether a student knows the answer by automation or memorization or if they are still working out the calculations. If the student does not provide the correct answer in the given amount of time, then the program will allot more time for that exercise on the next attempt. The Snappet program will recognize when a student has sufficiently automated and memorized a goal and will adapt accordingly.” Students have opportunities to independently demonstrate procedural skills and fluency throughout the grade. Examples include:

  • Unit 2: Operations with Whole Numbers, Lesson 2.1, Independent Practice, Exercise 2d, students develop fluency as they add multi-digit numbers. “5,934,672+631,489=5,934,672+631,489=___.” 4.NBT.4 (Fluently add and subtract multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm.)

  • Unit 2: Operations with Whole Numbers, Lesson 2.2, Independent Practice, Exercise 2j, students demonstrate fluency in multi-digit subtraction. “482,739138,234482,739-138,234.” 4.NBT.4 (Fluently add and subtract multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm.) 

  • Unit 6: Measurement and Data Lesson 6.4, Independent Practice, Exercise 2k, students demonstrate their fluency as they convert measurements using multiplication. “There are 10 mm in 1 cm. How many mm are there in 2 cm? 2cm=2 cm=___ ×10mm=\times10 mm= ___ mm.” 4.MD.1 (Know relative sizes of measurement units within one system of units including km, m, cm; kg, g; lb, oz.; l, ml; hr, min, sec. Within a single system of measurement, express measurements in a larger unit in terms of a smaller unit. Record measurement equivalents in a two-column table.)

Indicator 2C
02/02

Materials are designed so that teachers and students spend sufficient time working with engaging applications of the mathematics.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 meet expectations for being designed so that teachers and students spend sufficient time working with engaging applications of mathematics. 

Students have opportunities to engage with multiple routine and non-routine application problems with teacher support and independently. Snappet Teacher Manual, Performance Tasks, “Each grade-level course includes Performance Task Lessons that are designed to be a cumulative lesson encompassing multiple mathematical concepts. These lessons are designed as group projects or whole class discussion opportunities.” 

Examples of teacher-supported routine and non-routine applications of mathematics include:

  • Unit 1: Numbers, Lesson 1.7, Instruction & Guided Practice, Exercise 1c, students find factors and multiples of given values in a non-routine application. “A Matter of Factor. Explanation: A group of children stand together. Then the children stand in rows with an equal number in each row. The rest of the children say a multiplication equation to represent the equal rows. Write the equation on the board. The same children form equal rows in another way. Write the equation on the board. Continue this until there are no more possible equations. How can you make sure you have all the possible equations?” Teacher tip, “Have students work in small groups and arrange themselves in rows with an equal number of students in each row. Give each group an opportunity to present and share the factors, the two multiplication equations that can be written using the two factors, and the answer to the equation. Write the equations on the board. Challenge students to write a word problem describing a situation for the two multiplication equations using their two factors. This is to remind them that 2×62\times6 and 6×26\times2 have the same product but describe different situations.” 4.OA.4 (Find all factor pairs for a whole number in the range 1–100. Recognize that a whole number is a multiple of each of its factors.)

  • Unit 2: Operations with Whole Numbers, Lesson 2.13, Independent Practice, Exercise 2m, students solve a multi-step word problem in a routine application. “There are 6 children. Each child receives the same number of grapes. There are 40 red grapes and 32 white grapes.  Each child receives ___ grapes.” Teacher tip, “Ask: What question do you need to answer before you can find how many grapes each child receives? [I need to know the total number of grapes.]” 4.OA.3 (Solve multistep word problems posed with whole numbers and having whole-number answers using the four operations, including problems in which remainders must be interpreted. Represent these problems using equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantity. Assess the reasonableness of answers using mental computation and estimation strategies including rounding.)

  • Unit 5:  Solve Word Problems, Lesson 5.11, Independent Practice, Exercise 2e, students solve a real-world problem by multiplying a fraction by a whole number in a routine application. “Kristen’s balloon is floating away. It rises 78\frac{7}{8} of a meter every second. How far will Kristen’s balloon float in 8 seconds?” Teacher tip, “Ask: Why is there not enough blanks for a mixed number? [No fraction is needed because 568=7\frac{56}{8}=7]” 4.NF.4c (Solve word problems involving multiplication of a fraction by a whole number, e.g., by using visual fraction models and equations to represent the problem.)

  • Unit 6: Measurement and Data, Performance task, Exercise 1b, students solve a word problem by converting gallons to cups in a non-routine application. Problem 4, “A group of neighbors plans a barbecue. They expect 32 adults and 20 children to attend the barbecue. The neighbors fill some 5-gallon water coolers. They want to have enough water for each guest at the barbecue to drink 4 cups of water. How many coolers will they need to fill? Show your work.” Teacher tip, “Observe students as they work. Ask: How can you convert 5 gallons to cups? How many cups of water will the group need in all?” 4.MD.2 (Use the four operations to solve word problems involving distances, intervals of time, liquid volumes, masses of objects, and money, including problems involving simple fractions or decimals, and problems that require expressing measurements given in a larger unit in terms of a smaller unit. Represent measurement quantities using diagrams such as number line diagrams that feature a measurement scale.)

Materials provide opportunities for students to independently demonstrate multiple routine and non-routine applications of mathematics throughout the grade level. Examples of independent demonstration of routine and non-routine applications of mathematics include:

  • Unit 1: Numbers, Lesson 1.15, Independent Practice, Exercise 2a, students analyze a pattern of numbers to determine what the number will be later in the list using what they know about the pattern in a non-routine application. “2, 7, 12, 17, 22, Which of the following is true about the eighth term of the pattern? The second digit is 7. It is even. It is a multiple of 5.” 4.OA.5 (Generate a number or shape pattern that follows a given rule. Identify apparent features of the pattern that were not explicit in the rule itself.) 

  • Unit 5: Solve Word Problems, Lesson 5.2, Independent Practice, Exercise 2g, students solve multiplicative word problems in a routine application. “Sam has 5 times as many blue hats as red hats. He has 25 blue hats. How many red hats does he have? Complete the equations to solve. Let r represent the number of red hats.” 4.OA.2 (Multiply or divide to solve word problems involving multiplicative comparison, e.g., by using drawings and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem, distinguishing multiplicative comparison from additive comparison.)

  • Unit 5: Word Problems, Lesson 5.4, Independent Practice, Exercise 2h, students divide and interpret the remainder to solve a routine division problem. “There are 42 cans of soup that need to be packed into boxes. Each box can hold 5 cans. How many boxes will be filled? How many cans will remain? 42÷5=42\div5= ___ R ___” 4.NBT.6 (Find whole-number quotients and remainders with up to four-digit dividends and one-digit divisors, using strategies based on place value, the properties of operations, and/or the relationship between multiplication and division. Illustrate and explain the calculation by using equations, rectangular arrays, and/or area models.)

  • Unit 6: Measurement and Data, Lesson 6.10, Independent Practice, Exercise 2g, students solve word problems involving time in a routine application. “‘We leave at 3:43 PM. We have to cycle 1 hour 43 minutes.’” What time are we finished cycling? Set the clock to the right time.” 4.MD.2 (Use the four operations to solve word problems involving distances, intervals of time, liquid volumes, masses of objects, and money, including problems involving simple fractions or decimals, and problems that require expressing measurements given in a larger unit in terms of a smaller unit. Represent measurement quantities using diagrams such as number line diagrams that feature a measurement scale.)

  • Unit 7: Geometry, Lesson 7.4, Independent Practice, Exercise 2i, students use parallel and perpendicular lines in a non-routine application. Students see a horizontal line. They then need to determine how many parallel and perpendicular lines they need to add to make a capital E. “How many extra lines do you have to draw to turn this line into a capital letter E? ___ parallel line(s), ___ perpendicular line(s)” 4.G.1 (Draw points, lines, line segments, rays, angles (right, acute, obtuse), and perpendicular and parallel lines. Identify these in two-dimensional figures.)

Indicator 2D
02/02

The three aspects of rigor are not always treated together and are not always treated separately. There is a balance of the three aspects of rigor within the grade.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 meet expectations that the three aspects of rigor are not always treated together and are not always treated separately. 

The materials address the aspects of rigor, however, not all are addressed equally. Heavy emphasis is placed on conceptual understanding, procedural skills, and fluency. All three aspects of rigor are present independently throughout the materials. Examples include:

  • Unit 1: Numbers, Lesson 1.2, Instruction & Guided Practice, Exercise 1f, students extend their conceptual understanding as they use blocks and expanded form to understand place value. “2,222. Drag blocks to the chart to represent the number. Write the number in expanded form. The value of each digit has 1 more zero than the digit to its right.” 4.NBT.2 (Read and write multi-digit whole numbers using base-ten numerals, number names, and expanded form.)

  • Unit 2: Operations with Whole Numbers, Lesson 2.2, Independent Practice, Exercise 2q, students develop procedural skill and fluency as they subtract multi-digit numbers. “The odometer shows 143,993 miles. How many more miles must Lindsey drive to reach 200,000 miles on the odometer?” Teacher tip, “Ask: When you finish regrouping, how many of each place should be in 200,000? [One 100,000, nine 10,000s, nine 1,000s, nine 100s, nine 10s, and ten 1s.]” 4.NBT.4 (Fluently add and subtract multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm.)

  • Unit 5: Solve Word Problems, Lesson 5.2, Independent Practice, Exercise 2d, students apply their understanding of division and multiplication to solve multiplicative comparison problems. “Mark has 6 times as many marbles as Layla. Mark has 36 marbles. How many marbles does Layla have? Complete the equations to solve. Let L represent the number of marbles Layla has. ____ ÷\div ____=L= L, L=L=____ Layla has ____ marbles.” 4.OA.2 (Multiply or divide to solve word problems involving multiplicative comparison, e.g., by using drawings and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.)

Multiple aspects of rigor are engaged simultaneously to develop students’ mathematical understanding of a single topic/unit of study. Heavy emphasis is placed on procedural skills, fluency, and teacher-guided conceptual understanding. Examples include:

  • Unit 1: Numbers, Lesson 1.8, Independent Practice, Exercise 2d, students use procedural fluency with multiples and apply their understanding to find factor pairs. “Move the cars in different equal rows to help you complete the equations. 1 and ___ is a factor pair of 20. 2 and ___ is another factor pair of 20. 5 and ___ is another factor pair of 20.” 4.OA.1 (Interpret a multiplication equation as a comparison.) 4.OA.4 (Find all factor pairs for a whole number in the range 1–100. Recognize that a whole number is a multiple of each of its factors.)

  • Unit 2: Operations with Whole Numbers, Lesson 2.1, Independent Practice, Exercise 2g, students use procedural fluency and apply their understanding as they add multi-digit numbers using the standard algorithm. “In Minnesota, 64,374 people had a leg injury. In Texas, 537,826 people had a leg injury. How many people had a leg injury in both states?” 4.NBT.4 (Fluently add and subtract multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm.)

  • Unit 4: Operations with Fractions, Lesson 4.2, Instruction & Guided Practice, Exercise 1e, students develop conceptual understanding alongside procedural skill and fluency as they subtract fractions. “810110=\frac{8}{10}-\frac{1}{10}=___. You are taking away from the numerator. The denominator stays the same.” 4.NF.3.c (Add and subtract mixed numbers with like denominators, e.g., by replacing each mixed number with an equivalent fraction, and/or by using the properties of operations and the relationship between addition and subtraction.)

Criterion 2.2: Math Practices

09/10

Materials meaningfully connect the Standards for Mathematical Content and Standards for Mathematical Practice (MPs).

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 meet expectations for the practice-content connections. The materials make meaningful connections between the Standards for Mathematical Content and the Standards for Mathematical Practice (MPs), with the exception of MP5.

Indicator 2E
02/02

Materials support the intentional development of MP1: Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them; and MP2: Reason abstractly and quantitatively, for students, in connection to the grade-level content standards, as expected by the mathematical practice standards.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 meet expectations for supporting the intentional development of MP1: Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them; and MP2: Reason abstractly and quantitatively, for students, in connection to the grade-level content standards, as expected by the Mathematical Practice standards. 

The Mathematical Practice Standards are identified in the Course Overview/Unit Pacing Guide, Teacher Guide, Unit Overviews, and Lesson Overviews. Each lesson has a Math Practices tab that provides 3-5 structured exercises supporting the intentional development of each Math Practice throughout the year. 

MP 1 is identified and connected to grade-level content, and there is intentional development of the MP to meet its full intent. Students make sense of problems and persevere in solving them as they work with the teacher's support and independently throughout the units. Per Snappet Learning phases math, "MP1: Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. Found in almost every math problem across the board. Students must understand the problem, figure out how to solve it, and work until it is finished. Standards encourage students to work with their current knowledge bank and apply the skills they already have while evaluating themselves in problem-solving. This standard is easily tested using problems with a tougher skill level than already mastered. While students work through more difficult problems, they focus on solving them instead of just getting to the correct answer." Examples include:

  • Unit 1: Numbers, Lesson 1.3, Math practices, Exercise 4a, “In Exercise 4, students practice MP 1 (Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them). This mathematical practice specifically requires students to see relationships between various representations. Students could use the value of each digit in the number to help them write the number using words. If students struggle with place value, encourage them to write the number in a place-value chart or in expanded form. Call on a student sto share their answer for the question. [The relationship between the number and the words is based on the value of each digit in the number.]” The exercise states, “The building is 1,135 feet tall, Write the number using words. What is the relationship between the number and the words?”

  • Unit 4: Operations with Fractions, Lesson 4.15, Math practices, Exercise 4b, “Exercise 4 gives students practice with MP 1 (Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them). This mathematical practice requires students to relate situations to concepts or skills previously learned.” “Here, students compare decimals less than a given decimal with comparing whole numbers less than a given whole number and counting back with whole numbers. The students can drag one X at a time to the grid to cross off one square. This decreases the decimal by 1 hundredth each time. Ask a volunteer to share their answer to the question. [Sample answer: Finding the 3 numbers less than a given number is like counting back. To count back from the whole number 68, subtract 1. To count back from the decimal 0.68, subtract 1 hundredth.]” The exercise states, “List the 3 greatest numbers less than 0.68 that can be represented on the grid. 0.__  0.__  0.__ How did you use what you know about whole numbers to help you solve this problem?”

  • Unit 8: Geometric Measurement, Lesson 8.5, Math practices, Exercise 4a, “Exercise 4 has students practice MP 1 (Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them). Students make meaning of the problem and look for starting points. Students must assume that ABD\angle ABD is a straight angle in order to solve this problem. Have students work with a partner to solve this problem. Call on a student-pair to share their calculations. [180141=139180-141=139]” The exercise states, Albert plans to hike from point A to point B to point C. If DBC\angle DBC is 141°141\degree, what angle will he turn when he gets to point B? Albert must turn __°\degree. Show your calculation.”

MP 2 is identified and connected to grade-level content, and there is intentional development of the MP to meet its full intent. Students reason abstractly and quantitatively as they work with the teacher's support and independently throughout the units. Per Snappet Learning phases math, “MP2: Reason abstractly and quantitatively. When trying to problem solve, it is important that students understand there are multiple ways to break apart the problem in order to find the solution. Using symbols, pictures, or other representations to describe the different sections of the problem will allow students to use context skills rather than standard algorithms.” Examples include:

  • Unit 1: Numbers, Lesson 1.14, Math practices, Exercise 4d, “The intent of Exercise 4 is to allow students to practice MP 2 (Reason abstractly and quantitatively). In this example students will make sense of the relationship between the numbers in a pattern. Then they will use this relationship to generate the next numbers in the pattern.” “Give students time to think of their own pattern. Have the first partner enter the first three numbers of their pattern in the boxes. Then have the second partner explain the relationship between the numbers. Finally, have the second partner find the next numbers by entering them in the boxes. Have partners switch roles and repeat the activity.” The exercise shows five boxes for students to fill in with the pattern, and four boxes above for students to show the relationship. “Think of your own pattern. Write the first three numbers in your pattern. Have your partner explain the relationship among the numbers. Then have your partner find the next numbers.”

  • Unit 6: Measurement and Data, Lesson 6.12, Math practices, Exercise 4a, “The intent of Exercise 4 is to allow students to practice MP 2 (Reason abstractly and quantitatively). They will create a logical representation of the problem using bills and coins to facilitate solving word problems. Have students use play money or draw the representation on paper. Then have students discuss their reasoning with a partner. [Sample answer: First I would draw 1 $20 bill, 2 $5 bills and 3 $1 bills each in their own column. Then I would draw the 3 $10 bills between the $20 bill and $5 bills and add another $5 bill to the $5 column. Then I would add up all the columns to get the total.]" The exercise states, "Patty has one $20 bill, two $5 bills, and three $1 bills. She gets three $10 bills and one $5 bill for her birthday. How much money does Patty have? $__. Explain how to use bills to represent the problem.”

  • Unit 8: Geometric Measurement, Lesson 8.4, Exercise 4b, “In Exercise 4 students have an opportunity to apply MP 2 (Reason abstractly and quantitatively). This mathematical practice requires students to make sense of quantities and their relationships when finding the measurement of angles.” “In this problem, students make sense of the relationship of three angles that together form a straight angle. Students can drag a copy of the trapezoid to see that two of the angles are 55°55\degree. Call on a student to share how they found the measure of the angle. [Sample answer: I moved a copy of the red shape over to the other side of the angle, and saw that the measure of the angle on the right is also . Since the shapes together form a straight angle, I know that the angle in the center is [180°55°=70°180\degree-55\degree=70\degree.]” The exercise states, “What is the measure of the blue angle? The angle is __°\degree. Explain how you got your answer.”

Indicator 2F
02/02

Materials support the intentional development of MP3: Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others, for students, in connection to the grade-level content standards, as expected by the mathematical practice standards.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 meet expectations for supporting the intentional development of MP3: Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others, for students, in connection to the grade-level content standards, as expected by the Mathematical Practice standards. 

The Mathematical Practice Standards are identified in the Course Overview/Unit Pacing Guide, Teacher Guide, Unit Overviews, and Lesson Overviews. Each lesson has a Math Practices tab that provides 3-5 structured exercises supporting the intentional development of each Math Practice throughout the year. 

MP 3 is identified and connected to grade-level content, and there is intentional development of the MP to meet its full intent. Students construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others as they work with the support of the teacher and independently throughout the units. Per Snappet Learning phases math, “MP3: Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. This standard is aimed at creating a common mathematical language that can be used to discuss and explain math as well as support or object to others’ work. Math vocabulary is easily integrated into daily lesson plans in order for students to be able to communicate effectively. “Talk moves” are important in developing and building communication skills and can include such simple tasks as restating a fellow classmate’s reasoning or even supporting their own reason for agreeing or disagreeing. Prompting students to participate further in class mathematical discussions will help build student communication skills. Examples include:

  • Unit 2: Operations with Whole Numbers, Lesson 2.14, Math practices, Exercise 4c, “The purpose of Exercise 4 is to allow students to practice MP 3 (Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others). They will listen to arguments and ask useful questions to help solve division problems using area models.” “Ask: What is different in this problem? [Sample answer: The area model is not given.] Encourage students to think about useful questions they could ask about creating the area model to help them solve the division problem. Then have groups share their questions with the class. [Sample answers: How many boxes should be in the area model?; What are some multiples of 5 that might be helpful?]” The exercise states, “Draw an area model on paper. Solve. 625÷5=625\div5=__ What are two questions you could ask to help your group solve this problem?”

  • Unit 5: Solve Word Problems, Lesson 5.7, Math practices, Exercise 4a, “The intent of Exercise 4 is to give students practice with MP 3 (Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others). Students will ask clarifying questions or suggest ideas to improve an argument. Here, students analyze the work of another student and must compose a question that would help the other student correct their work. Have a volunteer share their question. [Sample answer: My friend forgot to add the 24 and 18 together first. Ask, ‘How many flowers did she have altogether?]” The exercise states, “Tia has 24 roses and 18 tulips. She plans to put an equal number of flowers into 6 vases. How many flowers will go into each vase? Your friend’s answer is 4 flowers in each vase. Think about what mistake your friend likely made. What question could you ask that would help your friend find the right answer?”

  • Unit 7: Geometry, Lesson 7.3, Math practices, Exercise 4c, “The goal of Exercise 4 is for students to practice MP 3 (Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others). Students will listen to the arguments of others and ask useful questions to determine if an argument makes sense.” “Here, students are considering another student’s assertion and indicating flaws that must have been part of that assertion. Have a volunteer share their answer. [No. Sample answer: It is possible for an obtuse triangle to be isosceles as long as the other two angles (which will be acute) are equal in measure.” The exercise states, “Libby said that it is impossible for an obtuse triangle to be isosceles. Is Libby correct? Why or why not?”

Indicator 2G
01/02

Materials support the intentional development of MP4: Model with mathematics; and MP5: Use appropriate tools strategically, for students, in connection to the grade-level content standards, as expected by the mathematical practice standards.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 partially meet expectations for supporting the intentional development of MP4: Model with mathematics; and MP5: Choose tools strategically, for students in connection to the grade-level content standards, as expected by the Mathematical Practice Standards.  

The Mathematical Practice Standards are identified in the Course Overview/Unit Pacing Guide, Teacher Guide, Unit Overviews, and Lesson Overviews. Each lesson has a Math Practices tab that provides 3-5 structured exercises supporting the intentional development of each Math Practice throughout the year. 

MP 4 is identified and connected to grade-level content, and there is intentional development of the MP to meet its full intent. Students model with mathematics as they work with the teacher's support and independently throughout the units. Per Snappet Learning phases math, “MP4: Model with mathematics. Math doesn’t end at the classroom door. Learning to model with mathematics means students will use math skills to problem-solve in real-world situations. This can range from organizing different data types to using math to help understand life connections. Using real-world situations to show how math can be used in many different aspects of life helps math to be relevant outside of math class.” Examples include:

  • Unit 1: Numbers, Lesson 1.10, Math practices, Exercise 4c, “Here, students have an opportunity to practice MP 4 (Model with mathematics) by reflecting on whether their results make sense. Give students time to answer the question. Tell them to write the numbers 18 can be divided by from least to greatest. Remind students that the objects on screen are draggable, and can be used to help them solve this problem. After students answer the question on screen, pair them with a partner. Partners can check their work by multiplying the factors together to see if they get a product of 18.” The exercise states, “What numbers can 18 be divided by? 18 can be divided by __, __, __, __, __, and __. How can you check your work?”

  • Unit 4: Operations with Fractions, Lesson 4.14, Math practices, Exercise 4b, “Exercise 4 has students practice MP 4 (Model with mathematics). Students will represent fractions with denominators of 10 and 100 as decimals using a model.” “Now, students demonstrate their ability to connect two diagrams used to model decimals in tenths and hundredths. Make sure students know they can drag the bars and cubes to the grid. [Drag 3 bars and 4 cubes to the grid to represent $0.34. Be sure students relate the dimes and pennies to the bars and cubes in their explanation. [Sample answer: Each dime is worth a tenth, so put 3 bars on the grid to represent $0.30. Then, put 4 cubes on the grid to represent the 4 pennies. Now, 0.34 or $0.34 is shown on the grid.]” The exercise states, “Shade the grid to show the decimal that is represented by the coins. Explain your answer.”

  • Unit 5: Solve Word Problems, Lesson 5.5, Math practices, Exercise 4a, “Exercise 4 gives students an opportunity to practice MP 4 (Model with mathematics). Students will represent mathematics with an equation or diagram and interpret results. Here, students need to analyze a diagram modeling a multi-step word problem. [No. Sample answer: In the model, the division was shown as making 4 equal groups rather than finding out how many groups of 4 could be made.]” The exercise states, “There are 8 rooms with 6 windows each in a building. Window blinds come in boxes of 4. How many boxes of window blinds are needed? Does the array model the situation? Explain.”

While MP5 is identified and connected to grade-level content; the full intent of MP5 has not been met. While students use various tools and strategies throughout the program, they are typically provided for the student. The student rarely, if at all, is required to choose the appropriate tool or strategy that would best solve the problem. Per Snappet Learning phases math, “MP 5: Use appropriate tools strategically. In order for students to learn what tools should be used in problem solving it is important to remember that no one will be guiding students through the real world - telling them which mathematics tool to use. By leaving the problem open-ended, students can select which math tools to use and discuss what worked and what didn’t.” Examples include:

  • Unit 1: Numbers, Lesson 1.4, Math practices, Exercise 4a, “The intent of Exercise 4 is to allow students to practice MP 5 (Use appropriate tools strategically). In this exercise students will use a mathematical model, or number line, to visualize the location of multi-digit numbers. Pair students with a partner. Give students time to read the question and analyze the number line. Have partners take turns explaining how they know the size of the jumps on this number line. [There are 5 intervals between 0 and 2,000, and between 2,000 and 4,000. So, each jump represents 400.]” The exercise states, “About where is 3,209 located? How big are the jumps on this number line? Explain to your partner how you know.” The number line is provided to the students, thus eliminating student choice.

  • Unit 4: Operations with Fractions, Lesson 4.8, Math practices, Exercise 4c, “The goal of Exercise 4 is to give students practice with MP 5 (Use appropriate tools strategically). Students will use models to subtract.” “Here, students are faced with a subtraction problem that would require regrouping. However, students should be able to find the difference if a model is used. Ask a student to share their answer. [Sample answer: The diagram can be used to model the equation if one of the fifths from one of the full pitchers is subtracted.]” The diagram is provided, and students do not need to choose a tool or strategy to solve the problem. 

  • Unit 6: Measurement and Data, Lesson 6.2, Math practices, Exercise 4d, “The goal of Exercise 4 is for students to practice MP 5 (Use appropriate tools strategically). They will use measurement tools and everyday items as benchmarks to identify specific examples of a measurement unit.” “Have students think about benchmarks they could use to compare each object to. Ask a student to share how they solved the problem. [Sample answer: I know that a dog and a pig are much bigger than 2 pounds and an ant is closer to an ounce, so the squirrel is 2 pounds.” The exercise states, “Which animal is about 2 pounds? Describe how to solve the problem.” This problem elicits precision as students think about benchmarks to compare objects, not choosing a tool or strategy.

Indicator 2H
02/02

Materials attend to the intentional development of MP6: Attend to precision; and attend to the specialized language of mathematics for students, in connection to the grade-level content standards, as expected by the mathematical practice standards.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 meet expectations for supporting the intentional development of MP6: Attend to precision and the specialized language of mathematics for students, in connection to the grade-level content standards, as expected by the Mathematical Practice Standards.

The Mathematical Practice Standards are identified in the Course Overview/Unit Pacing Guide, Teacher Guide, Unit Overviews, and Lesson Overviews. Each lesson has a Math Practices tab that provides 3-5 structured exercises supporting the intentional development of each Math Practice throughout the year. 

MP 6 is identified and connected to grade-level content, and there is intentional development of the MP to meet its full intent. Students attend to precision and the specialized language of mathematics as they work with the teacher's support and independently throughout the units. Per Snappet Learning phases math, “MP6: Attend to precision. Math, like other subjects, involves precision and exact answers. When speaking and problem-solving in math, exactness and attention to detail are important because a misstep or inaccurate answer in math can be translated to affect greater problem-solving in the real world.” Examples include:

  • Unit 1: Numbers, Lesson 1.5, Math practices, Exercise 4a, students “practice of MP 6 (Attend to precision). Students will understand meanings of symbols used in mathematics.” “Pair students with a partner. Have them explain the meaning of the symbols >, <, and = to each other. Call on a volunteer from a pair of partners to explain the meaning of the symbol <. Then call on two different volunteers to explain the meaning of the symbols > and =. [< means less than. > means greater than. = means equal.]” The exercise states, “Compare the numbers. 2588 points and 2579 points; 2579 __ 2588” Students drag the symbol, >, <, or = to complete the equation. “Explain the meaning of the symbols >, <, and =.”

  • Unit 4: Operations with Fractions, Lesson 4.16, Math practices, Exercise 4b, students “practice MP 6 (Attend to precision). This mathematical practice requires students to understand the meaning of symbols and label quantities appropriately.” “Here, students attend to the details of the symbols and the quantities. Students may struggle with this problem since 4.7 has one less decimal place. Ask students to use place value vocabulary in their answer. [Sample answer: The number must have 4 ones to be between 4.68 and 4.7. 69 hundredths is between 68 and 70 hundredths.]” The exercise states, “Fill in the correct number. 4.68<4.68<__<4.7<4.7 Explain how you determined your answer.”

  • Unit 6: Measurement and Data, Lesson 6.14, Math practices, Exercise 4c, students “practice MP 6 (Attend to precision). They will understand the meaning of each X to construct and interpret a line plot.” “Have student volunteers share their response to see if there are different interpretations. [Sample answer: The phrase “greater than 6” means the Xs above 6126\frac{1}{2} (1), the number of Xs above 7 (3), and the number of Xs above 7127\frac{1}{2} (2). Then I added 1+3+1=51+3+1=5, to get the final answer.]” The exercise shows a line plot titled “Zucchini Plant Heights,” from 4 to 7127\frac{1}{2}. “How many more plants are greater than 6 feet tall? __ Explain how you interpreted the line plot to answer the question.”

  • Unit 8: Geometric Measurement, Lesson 8.3, Instruction & guided practice, Exercise 1d,  students “practice MP 6 (Attend to precision). This mathematical practice requires students to express numerical answers with a degree of precision appropriate for the problem context.” “Let’s sketch an angle. Step 1: Use the bottom of your protector to draw a ray. Mark the endpoint with a letter.  This will be the vertex of your angle.”

Indicator 2I
02/02

Materials support the intentional development of MP7: Look for and make use of structure; and MP8: Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning, for students, in connection to the grade-level content standards, as expected by the mathematical practice standards.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Kindergarten meet expectations for supporting the intentional development of MP7: Look for and make use of structure; and MP8: Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning, for students, in connection to the grade-level content standards, as expected by the Mathematical Practice Standards. 

The Mathematical Practice Standards are identified in the Course Overview/Unit Pacing Guide, Teacher Guide, Unit Overviews, and Lesson Overviews. Each lesson has a Math Practices tab that provides 3-5 structured exercises supporting the intentional development of each Math Practice throughout the year. 

MP 7 is identified and connected to grade-level content, and there is intentional development of the MP to meet its full intent. Students look for and use the structure as they work with the teacher's support and independently throughout the units. Per Snappet Learning phases math, “MP7: Look for and use structure. When students can identify different strategies for problem-solving, they can use many different skills to determine the answer. Identifying similar patterns in mathematics can be used to solve problems that are out of their learning comfort zone. Repeated reasoning helps bring structure to more complex problems that might be able to be solved using multiple tools when the problem is broken apart into separate parts.” Examples include:

  • Unit 1: Numbers, Lesson 1.6, Math practices, Exercise 4c, “Exercise 4 allows students to practice MP 7 (Look for and make use of structure). Students will apply general mathematical rules as they round multi-digit numbers to the nearest thousand or hundred.” “Pair students with a partner. Have them work together to explain how the rules for rounding to the nearest thousand are similar to the rules for rounding to the nearest hundred. Be sure students understand that the rules are the same, except for putting the dash after the thousands or hundreds place in Step 1 and identifying the next digit (the digit to the right of the thousands or hundreds place) in Step 2.” The exercise states, “Explain how the rules for rounding to the nearest thousand are similar to the rules for rounding to the nearest hundred.”

  • Unit 6: Measurement and Data, Lesson 6.7, Math practices, Exercise 4a, “The intent of Exercise 4 is to allow students to practice MP 7 (Look for and make use of structure). They will apply rules to convert customary measures of capacity and time. Encourage students to write out the relationships between units of capacity to help them remember the rules. Then ask a volunteer to share their explanation. [Sample answer: There are 4 quarts in 1 gallon. So, you multiply the number of gallons by 4 to get the number of quarts.]” The exercise states, “How many quarts (qt) are there in 6 gallons (g)? __ quarts Explain how you used a rule to solve the problem.”

  • Unit 7: Geometry, Lesson 7.4, Math practices, Exercise 4c, “The intent of Exercise 4 is to give students practice with MP 7 (Look for and make use of structure). Students will look for the overall structure and patterns in mathematics.” “Now, students are asked to look for a pattern in the regular polygons that are shown. Have students record the number of sides and the number of pairs of parallel lines as necessary. Then have a student share their answer. [Sample answer: The number of sides is always double the number of pairs of parallel lines.] As an extension, ask students to consider regular polygons with an odd number of sides.” Three polygons are shown and the exercise states, “Examine each shape and count the number of sides and the number of pairs of parallel lines. What pattern do you see that relates the number of sides to the number of pairs of parallel lines?”

MP 8 is identified and connected to grade-level content, and there is intentional development of the MP to meet its full intent. Students look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning as they work with the teacher's support and independently throughout the units. Per Snappet Learning phases math, “MP8: Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning. In mathematics, it is easy to forget the big picture while working on the details of the problem. In order for students to understand how a problem can be applied to other problems, they should work on applying their mathematical reasoning to various situations and problems. If a student can solve one problem the way it was taught, it is important that they also can relay that problem-solving technique to other problems.” Examples include:

  • Unit 2: Operations with Whole Numbers, Lesson 2.20, Math practices, Exercise 4d, “Exercise 4 gives students practice with MP 8 (Look for an express regularity in repeated reasoning). They will focus on the overall process of dividing with remainders while still keeping track of the details of finding multiples, remainders, and checking solutions.” “Have students share their response. [Sample answer: You can multiply the quotient by the divisor and add the remainder to the product. If the sum of the product and the remainder are equal to the dividend, it is correct.]” The exercise states, 39÷7=39\div7=__ remainder __. How can you check your quotient and remainder are correct?”

  • Unit 4: Operations with Fractions, Lesson 4.7, Math practices, Exercise 4a, “In Exercise 4, students practice MP 8 (Look for an express regularity in repeated reasoning). Students will look for generalizations and shortcuts by using the commutative and associative properties to add.” “Here, students are asked to expand their understanding of properties as shortcuts to adding 3 fractions when there are different denominators. Invite a student to share their response. [sample answer: One of the fractions has a different denominator. The sum can still be found since 16\frac{1}{6} and 56\frac{5}{6} combine to make 1. Then, add  38\frac{3}{8}. So, Garry spend 1381\frac{3}{8} hours on homework.]” The exercise states, “Gary worked on his homework 3 different times. He spent 16\frac{1}{6} hour, 38\frac{3}{8} hour, and 56\frac{5}{6} hour on homework. How much time did he spend on homework? What did you notice that is different about this problem? Can you still use the commutative and associative properties to find the sum? Explain?”

  • Unit 8: Geometric Measurement, Lesson 8.1, Math practices, Exercise 4a, “Exercise 4 has students practice MP 8 (Look for an express regularity in repeated reasoning). This mathematical practice requires students to find shortcuts for repeated calculations. Here, students can use more than one strategy that involves shortcuts. Call on students to share their answers and solution methods. [less than one whole pizza; Sample answer: I multiplied 7 by 45 and got 315. A full circle is 360 degrees, so James has less than a full circle, or less than one whole pizza.]” The exercise states, “After a party, James has 7 pieces of pizza left. Each of those pieces has an angle of 45°45\degree degrees. Does James have more than one whole pizza or less than one whole pizza left? Explain.”

Overview of Gateway 3

Usability

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 meet expectations for Usability. Within Usability, the materials meet expectations for Criterion 1, Teacher Supports and Criterion 3, Student Supports. The materials partially meet expectations for Criterion 2, Assessment.

Criterion 3.1: Teacher Supports

09/09

The program includes opportunities for teachers to effectively plan and utilize materials with integrity and to further develop their own understanding of the content.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 meet expectations for Teacher Supports. The materials provide: teacher guidance with useful annotations and suggestions for enacting the student and ancillary materials; adult-level explanations and examples of the more complex grade-level concepts and concepts beyond the current grade so that teachers can improve their own knowledge of the subject; standards correlation information that explains the role of the standards in the context of the overall series; explanations of the instructional approaches of the program and identification of the research-based strategies; and a comprehensive list of supplies needed to support instructional activities.

Indicator 3A
02/02

Materials provide teacher guidance with useful annotations and suggestions for how to enact the student materials and ancillary materials, with specific attention to engaging students in order to guide their mathematical development.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 meet expectations for providing teacher guidance with useful annotations and suggestions for how to enact the student materials and ancillary materials, with specific attention to engaging students to guide their mathematical development. The Documentation section of the materials provides comprehensive guidance that will assist teachers in presenting the student and ancillary materials. Examples include:

  • Snappet Teacher Manual, 3.1 Teacher Guide, “A Teacher Guide is available for every instructional lesson in Snappet, both digitally and on paper. The Teacher Guide contains the lesson overview, math content standards alignments, materials needed, vocabulary, EL/SEL strategies, common errors, and step-by-step support for teaching the lesson. Consistent design: The Teacher Guide, like the lesson itself, always has the same structure and is therefore, easy and clear to follow. From the Teacher Guide, the teacher has access to the learning path for every learning objective with constant visibility into the progress of the class.  Full support: The learning phases explained in the teacher manual are also visible while teaching the lesson in the digital environment. This gives the teacher the support they need not only while planning their lessons, but also while teaching their lessons. Easy to print: The teacher manual is easy to print by course or by lesson. Each downloadable and printable Teacher Guide is customized with the most up-to-date information about the progress and skill development for each student.”

  • Instructional videos include 1-2 minute videos showing how to use the software, 5-minute videos of the classroom condensed to show each segment of the lesson, and full lesson videos. 

  • Grade 4 Pacing Guide provides the number of weeks to spend on each Unit and a Materials list for each Unit.

Materials include sufficient and useful annotations and suggestions that are presented within the context of specific learning objectives. Preparation and lesson narratives within the Unit/Lesson Overviews and Teacher Tips provide useful annotations. Examples include:

  • Grade 4-Unit Overviews, Unit 4 Overview: Operations with Fractions, Understanding the Math, “Equivalent fractions and their use in comparing fractions has laid the foundation for students to now perform more operations with fractions with like and unlike denominators. Students will be able to see how fractions are used in things like baking, architecture, medicine, and money. When money is discussed, it is usually in its relationship to decimals. However, all monetary decimal values can also be represented using mixed numbers with whole numbers for dollars and fractions for cents.”

  • Unit 4: Operations with Fractions, Lesson 4.14, Small group instruction, Exercise 3a, Teacher Tip, “(EL) (SEL) Remind students that a decimal shares a word name with a fraction that has a denominator of 10 or 100. Ask: If the denominator is 10 and the numerator is less than 10, how many digits do you need to write after the decimal point for an equivalent decimal? [1] If the denominator is 100 and the numerator is greater than 9 and less than 100, how many digits do you need to write after the decimal point for an equivalent decimal? [2]”

  • Unit 8: Geometric Measurement, Lesson 8.2, Lesson Overview, Common Errors (CE), “Look for the (CE) label for ideas of where to apply this suggestion. If students read the wrong number of the two off the protractor, then tell them that they should first note whether the angle they are measuring is acute or obtuse. If they still struggle, remind them that acute angles are less than 90° and obtuse angles are greater than 90°, so only one of the measurements can be correct.”

Indicator 3B
02/02

Materials contain adult-level explanations and examples of the more complex grade-level/course-level concepts and concepts beyond the current course so that teachers can improve their own knowledge of the subject.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 meet expectations for containing adult-level explanations and examples of the more complex grade-level concepts and concepts beyond the current grade so that teachers can improve their own knowledge of the subject. 

Snappet Math provides explanations for current grade-level concepts within the Understanding the Math and Learning Progressions components of the Unit Overviews. Prior, current, and future standards are connected within the Lesson Overview of each lesson. Additionally, each Lesson Overview includes Deepening Content Knowledge Beyond Grade Level, which provides explanations and examples of more complex grade-level concepts and concepts beyond the current course. Examples include:

  • Unit 2: Operations with Whole Numbers, Lesson 2.3, Lesson Overview, Deepening Content Knowledge Beyond Grade Level, “The Importance of Estimation in Daily Life: Estimation is a valuable life skill. It helps people make quick decisions without having to rely on exact calculations. For example, while shopping, one might estimate the total cost of items in their cart to decide if they can afford everything. By understanding the broad utility of estimation in everyday scenarios, students can appreciate its relevance outside the classroom.”

  • Unit Overviews, Unit 4 Overview: Operations with Fractions, Learning Progression, “In future grade levels, students will continue to work with fractions and decimals. They will multiply a whole number by a fraction, a fraction by another fraction, a mixed number by a mixed number, all while using an area model for fraction multiplication (5.NF.B.4). They will divide simple fractions by a whole number (5.NF.B.7.A) and they will use multiplication and division of fractions to solve word problems (5.NF.B.3, 5.NF.B.6).”

  • Unit 5: Solve Word Problems, Lesson 5.5, Lesson Overview, “In prior lessons, students have solved multiplicative comparison word problems. (4.OA.A.2); solved division word problems with and without remainders. (4.OA.A.3). In this lesson, students will solve two-step word problems involving at least one multiplication step. (4.OA.A.3); solve two-step word problems involving at least one division step. (4.OA.A.3). In future lessons, students will solve multistep word problems involving division with and without remainders. (4.OA.A.3); solve word problems involving fractions and mixed numbers. (4.NF.B.3.D).”

  • Unit Overviews, Unit 7 Overview: Geometry, Understanding the Math, “Geometry is essential for helping children understand spatial relationships. It teaches them to determine how large a room is, how far away a desk is, or which way to move. Students now get into the types of angles that exist and how they work with different types of lines. As students learn about points, lines, line segments, and rays, they begin to visually understand algebraic concepts they will need when they work with functions in Algebra. Everything they have learned about Geometry comes together in this unit and creates a bridge to what is to come next.”

Indicator 3C
02/02

Materials include standards correlation information that explains the role of the standards in the context of the overall series.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 meet expectations for including standards correlation information that explains the role of the standards in the context of the overall series. 

Correlation information is present throughout the grade level and can be found in the Pacing Guide, Unit Overviews, and each Lesson Overview. Explanations of the role of the specific grade-level mathematics in the context of the series can be found in each Lesson Overview under The Specific Role of the Standard in the Overall Series. Examples include:

  • The Pacing Guide provides a table separated by unit and includes columns identifying previous skills, grade-level skills, and future skills. The skills are grouped by standard and are linked to identify lesson(s) standard alignment.  

  • Unit Overviews identify the standards addressed in each unit and a lesson standard alignment. The Unit Overviews also include a learning progression that links current standards to previous and future standards for each unit.  

  • Unit 2: Operations with Whole Numbers, Lesson 2.11, Lesson Overview, Mathematical Content Standards, “4.NBT.6  Find whole-number quotients and remainders with up to four-digit dividends and one-digit divisors, using strategies based on place value, the properties of operations, and/or the relationship between multiplication and division. Illustrate and explain the calculation by using equations, rectangular arrays, and/or area models.”

  • Unit 8: Geometric Measurement, Lesson 8.4, Lesson Overview, The Specific Role of the Standard in the Overall Series, referring to 4.MD.C.7, “Connection to Algebraic Thinking: Learning that angles can be decomposed and recomposed helps in understanding how to deconstruct and solve algebraic expressions and equations in later grades. It lays the groundwork for understanding the properties of operations as students begin to work with variables and unknowns.”

Indicator 3D
Read

Materials provide strategies for informing all stakeholders, including students, parents, or caregivers about the program and suggestions for how they can help support student progress and achievement.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 partially provide strategies for informing all stakeholders, including students, parents, or caregivers about the program and suggestions for how they can help support student progress and achievement. Information for families is found within the Family Letter (available in English and Spanish), and learning objective cards. There are limited strategies for informing all stakeholders about the program and suggestions for how they can help support student progress and achievements. Examples include:

  • Snappet Family Letter English, “Our class will be utilizing the Snappet Math resource for our classroom mathematics lessons. This resource includes a variety of opportunities for students to engage with mathematical concepts during teacher-led instruction and to practice those concepts using adaptive technology. We are encouraging parents to have their child login at home and share their progress with you. Below is a short description of how your child will login and navigate the program.”

  • Snappet Family Letter English, “Quality versus Quantity, Snappet is a very engaging program for children and there is sometimes a tendency to overdo the amount of practice on any given learning objective. It is recommended to complete 1-2 sets of adaptive practice on a specific learning objective at any given time and then allow us to evaluate their progress together. Based on their performance on the practice sets, no additional practice may be needed, additional practice may be necessary, or reteaching the concept may be required. We will work together to determine which path is best before proceeding.”

  • Unit 5: Solve Word Problems, Learning objective cards, “Division, Solve division word problems with remainders. 27 apples in boxes of 6. 27 ÷\div 6 = 4 remainder 3. You divide 27 apples in boxes of 6. You can fill 4 boxes, because 6 x 4 = 24. 3 apples will be left over.”

Indicator 3E
02/02

Materials provide explanations of the instructional approaches of the program and identification of the research-based strategies.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 meet expectations for providing explanations of the instructional approaches of the program and identification of the research-based strategies. Instructional approaches of the program are described within the Teaching using the Snappet Method document. The four lesson components—Instruction and Guided Practice, Extend Learning using Math Practices, Independent and Adaptive Practice, and Small Group Instruction are described. Examples include:

  • Instruction and guided practice, “The lesson design for instruction follows the CRA approach to teaching: Concrete, Representational, Abstract. The exercises begin with Activate Prior Knowledge exercises which are designed to be used as real-time feedback opportunities during the introduction of the new lesson. This is followed by Student Discovery where manipulatives, games, or activities will be introduced to prepare students minds and bodies for new learning. These activities are followed by instruction slides that provide opportunities for students to think out loud, think pair share, co-craft questions, and talk about the new concept in a variety of ways. Instruction is followed by Guided Practice exercises where students can try it on their own while being supported by the teacher. The Guided Practice exercises also give the teacher the opportunity to identify if students are ready to begin practicing independently and to identify any common errors that might be occurring. Following Instruction and Guided Practice, teachers can go deeper into the mathematics by introducing the Math Practices exercises.”

  • Extend Learning using Math Practices, “Teachers will utilize the exercises available in Math Practices to go deeper in the complexity of student learning. These exercises are designed to be non-routine, open-ended, and an extension of the discussions that occurred during the lesson. Often, these exercises will extend beyond the Student Discovery activities. It is recommended to group students into groups of 2 (K-2) or 3 (3-5) to encourage students to discuss their thinking and give evidence for their reasoning.”

  • Independent and Adaptive Practice, “Students continue their learning of the concepts during independent practice. Independent Practice exercises are written at grade level and act as a “diagnostic assessment” to determine the appropriate level of Adaptive Practice. Adaptive practice offers 5 levels of difficulty that are defined by the quintile measures. Level 3 is considered grade-level proficient. Quality is the goal over quantity. It is recommended that only 1-3 sets (10-30 questions) of adaptive practice exercises be completed in any one practice session. Once students have reached their target goals and attained their desired level, they should either practice on a different concept or finish practice for the day.”

  • Small Group Instruction, “Every lesson includes a Small Group Instruction intervention lesson Small Group Instruction, “Every lesson includes a Small Group Instruction intervention lesson for students that are struggling with the concept. This becomes evident when students are not able to progress during adaptive practice. Student initials will appear in yellow and will be identified as being “stuck” on their progress towards their target goals. It is recommended to provide reteaching to these students in a small group setting using the exercises in the small group instruction section. These exercises are scaffolded to provide support for struggling students. Once you have completed this lesson with students and they have demonstrated understanding using the guided practice exercises in the small group lesson, you can continue to monitor the students progress by having them continue to practice adaptively on the lesson.”

Research-based strategies within the program are cited and described in the Snappet Teacher Manual within Research-based Strategies. Snappet Math states, “The Snappet Math curriculum integrates a series of rigorously research-based instructional approaches and strategies explicitly designed to facilitate effective K-5 mathematics education. Informed by eminent educational researchers and institutions, including the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), the key strategies are as follows:...” Examples include: 

  • Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract (CPA) Approach, “This method involves the sequential use of concrete materials, pictorial representations, and abstract symbols to ensure thorough understanding (Bruner, 1966). Snappet's curriculum employs and explicitly references the CPA approach in the lesson phases ‘Apply in a concrete pictorial representation’ and ‘Apply in an abstract representation.’”

  • Problem-Solving Instruction, “Snappet encourages students to engage with real-world problems, enhancing the relevance and application of mathematical concepts and procedures (Jonassen, 2000). Guidance is provided on various problem-solving strategies (Polya, 1945) in both instruction & guided practice and during independent practice.”

  • Formative Assessment, Feedback, and Error Correction, “Regular assessments help to understand a student's learning progress, provide opportunities to give feedback, and adjust instruction (Black & Wiliam, 1998). Feedback is one of the most powerful influences on learning and achievement (Hattie, 2003), and correcting common errors has been identified as a factor that positively influences student achievement (Smith & Geller, 2004). Due to Snappet’s elaborate and immediate feedback system, every activity serves as a formative assessment. During instruction and guided practice, student responses appear on the Interactive Whiteboard in real-time for all students and the most common errors made by the students are summarized and highlighted. This feedback allows teachers to identify and correct common errors quickly, promoting student understanding and success. For every lesson and standard, both the teacher and students get continuous feedback on the current performance and progress. The immediate and actionable feedback, along with prompt error correction, is integral to promoting student achievement and progress in the Snappet Math curriculum.”

  • Direct Instruction, “Direct instruction is a major factor in contributing to student achievement (Rosenshine, 2012). This involves clear, concise teaching where the teacher models what is to be learned and provides guided practice with immediate feedback. The Snappet Math curriculum incorporates this approach, with teachers provided with detailed lesson plans, strategies for explicitly teaching concepts, and resources for modeling mathematical thinking. The interactive nature of Snappet also allows for real-time guided practice and these exercises are explicitly referenced in every lesson with the guided practice icon ( ), aligning with the principles of direct instruction.”

Indicator 3F
01/01

Materials provide a comprehensive list of supplies needed to support instructional activities.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 meet expectations for providing a comprehensive list of supplies needed to support instructional activities. The program provides a Material List, and specific lessons include a Materials heading needed to support instructional activities within the Lesson Overview. Examples include:

  • Grade 4-Material List, “The list below includes materials used in the 4th Grade Snappet Math course, excluding printed materials and templates. The quantities reflect the approximate amount of each material that is needed for one class. More detailed information about the materials needed for each lesson can be found in the Lesson Overview.” A table lists the Materials, Unit(s), and Approximate Quantity Needed, “Craft sticks; 7; 24 per pair of students.”

  • Unit 1: Numbers, Lesson 1.5, Lesson Overview, Materials, “Play money: thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones; index cards.”

  • Unit 6: Measurement and Data, Lesson 6.13, Lesson Overview, Materials, “Per group of 4: 1 deck of playing cards.”

Indicator 3G
Read

This is not an assessed indicator in Mathematics.

Indicator 3H
Read

This is not an assessed indicator in Mathematics.

Criterion 3.2: Assessment

08/10

The program includes a system of assessments identifying how materials provide tools, guidance, and support for teachers to collect, interpret, and act on data about student progress towards the standards.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 partially meet expectations for Assessment. The materials identify the content standards and mathematical practices assessed in formal assessments. The materials provide multiple opportunities to determine students' learning and sufficient guidance to teachers for interpreting student performance, and suggestions for following-up with students. The materials partially provide opportunities for students to demonstrate the full intent of grade-level standards and mathematical practices across the series. 

Indicator 3I
02/02

Assessment information is included in the materials to indicate which standards are assessed.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 meet expectations for having assessment information included in the materials to indicate which standards are assessed.

Snappet Math identifies two types of assessments with the program. Within each Unit Overview, Assessments provide detailed information about both types. Formative Assessments, “Every lesson embeds “check for understanding” assessment items that are graded and recorded in real-time.” Formative assessments are identified within the  Instruction & Guided Practice portion of the lessons. Standards and practices are not directly identified for the formative assessments but are named within the Lesson Overviews. Summative Assessments, “Summative assessments are available in each unit and are graded automatically. Each assessment item includes the standard objective, lesson, and math practice standard (if applicable).” Summative assessments within or at the end of units have standards and practices identified within the Teacher Tips. Examples include but are not limited to: 

  • Unit 2: Operations with Whole Numbers, Assessment: Lessons 2.11 - 2.20, Exercise 2a, Teacher Tip, “4.NBT.B.6, MP 1.” “Enter the number. 4,000÷\div80 = ___.”

  • Unit 4: Operations with Fractions, Lesson 4.4, Lesson Overview, “Mathematical Content Standards: 4.NF.B.3.c Add and subtract mixed numbers with like denominators (e.g., by replacing each mixed number with an equivalent fraction, and/or by using the properties of operations and the relationship between addition and subtraction). Mathematical Practice Standards: MP 6 Attend to precision.”  Instruction & Guided Practice , Exercise 1h, “Select all the mixed numbers.” Students select from, “23\frac{2}{3}, 2142\frac{1}{4}, 25\frac{2}{5}, 14\frac{1}{4}, 1231\frac{2}{3}, 910\frac{9}{10}, 56\frac{5}{6}, 3253\frac{2}{5}, 23\frac{2}{3}, 5135\frac{1}{3}.”

  • Unit 8: Geometric Measurement, Assessment 8.1 - 8.6, Exercise 3d, Teacher Tip, “4.MD.C.7, MP 2.” “Find the measure of the angle. Drag the pattern blocks below. ___°.” Students drag pattern blocks to the angle to determine the angle. The 4 pattern blocks are marked with the following angles: 30°, 60°, 90°, 120° and 60°, 120 and 60°.

Indicator 3J
04/04

Assessment system provides multiple opportunities throughout the grade, course, and/or series to determine students' learning and sufficient guidance to teachers for interpreting student performance and suggestions for follow-up.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 meet expectations for including an assessment system that provides multiple opportunities throughout the grade, course, and/or series to determine students’ learning and sufficient guidance to teachers for interpreting student performance and suggestions for follow-up. 

There are no tools for scoring as all assessments are online and scored by the computer system. Information about the assessment system and interpreting student performance can be found in the Quick Start User’s Guide, Teacher Manual, Lesson Overview, and Lessons. Examples include:

  • Documentation, Quick Start User’s Guide, 5. Progress Monitoring, “The Progress Monitoring page can be accessed by clicking on the Monitor menu located on the left of the screen. The monitoring page provides the “real-time” responses by your students on every item in the lesson including the adaptive practice. The colored dots represent the same information throughout the program: A green dot represents a correct response, a red dot an incorrect response, and a green/red dot an incorrect response that has been corrected. However, from anywhere else in the program, other than the Instruct page, clicking on a response dot will open the item details. All the relevant information from the student’s response is visible, including the number of times the exercise was attempted and a timestamp for when each attempt occurred.” 

  • Documentation, Quick Start User’s Guide, 6. Student and Class Reports, Summative Assessment, “To view Summative Assessments within a unit, navigate to the Assessment and click on it. This will open the Assessment preparation page where you will be able to view the Assessment items and the Standards that are addressed within each item.”

  • Documentation, Teacher Manual, 5.4 Tests and reports, Summative tests, “Summative tests are also available in Snappet. Summative tests function differently than other exercises.  When a student enters an answer in a summative test, the results are only visible to the teacher. Once the class has completed the assessment, the teacher can close the test and open the results to the students. The students are then allowed to go back and correct any problems they got wrong. Teachers can use the results from the assessment to provide additional instruction or support to students that are still struggling.”

  • Unit 4: Operations with Fractions, Lesson 4.8, Small group instruction, Exercise 3i, Teacher Tip, “Ask: What are you doing when you click the colored sections? [Sample answer: I am subtracting the whole numbers and also subtracting the fractions.] What does the difference represent in regard to the circles? [Sample answer: the part that is still shaded].”

  • Unit 6: Measurement and Data, Lesson 6.7, Lesson Overview, Common Error (CE), “If students forget that order matters in an ordered pair, tell students that an ordered pair such as (48, 2) is different than (2, 48). If students still struggle, have them write an equation, such as 1 day equals 24 hours, to define the relationship of the original ordered pair and compare that relationship to other ordered pairs.”

Indicator 3K
02/04

Assessments include opportunities for students to demonstrate the full intent of grade-level/course-level standards and practices across the series.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 partially meet expectations for providing assessments that include opportunities for students to demonstrate the full intent of grade-level standards and practices across the series.

Snappet Math identifies two types of assessments within the program: Formative Assessments and Summative Assessments. Unit Overviews, Assessments, provides detailed information about both types. “Formative Assessments: Snappet offers a unique and effective approach in how students are assessed. In the Snappet Method, daily lessons serve as real-time formative assessments that inform the teacher and the student on the progress towards achieving the learning goals. Every lesson embeds “check for understanding” assessment items that are graded and recorded in real-time. These formative assessment items have real-world applications and are designed to assist the teacher in making instructional decisions at every point in the learning path. Because these items are graded in real-time and occur during the lesson, teachers have direct insight into their students’ understanding of the concepts being taught. This information allows Snappet teachers to make crucial decisions during the lesson that have a profound impact on student learning. Summative Assessments: Summative assessments are available in each unit and are graded automatically. Each assessment item includes the standard objective, lesson, and math practice standard (if applicable). Teachers can monitor the progress of students in real-time and provide support as needed. Results from the Unit Summative Assessments give teachers insight into which learning objectives students are struggling with and provides the link to the learning objective resources to address their needs.” Examples of demonstrations of full intent of content standards include:

  • Unit 1: Numbers, Assessment: Lessons 1.1-1.7, Exercise 6b, students develop the full intent of 4.NBT.3 (Use place value understanding to round multi-digit whole numbers to any place.),   through demonstration as they drag and drop the appropriate number in the correct box that rounds correctly to the nearest ten thousand. Given a picture of two boxes that depict separately “Round to 3000” and “Round to 4000” and answer choices of 3503, 3750, 3099, and 3340, “Round to the nearest thousand. Which numbers round to 3000? Which numbers round to 4000?”

  • Unit 4: Operations with Fractions, Performance task, Exercise 1a, Problem 1, students develop the full intent of 4.OA.5 (Generate a number or shape pattern that follows a given rule. Identify apparent features of the pattern that were not explicit in the rule itself. For example, given the rule “Add 3” and the starting number 1, generate terms in the resulting sequence and observe that the terms appear to alternate between odd and even numbers. Explain informally why the numbers will continue to alternate in this way.), by explaining the rule of a pattern through a performance task. Given the image of fraction cards depicting 12\frac{1}{2}, 1, 1121\frac{1}{2}, and 2, “Card Games Eden and Abe have a set of fractions cards. They play a pattern game. Eden starts by placing two cards. Abe places two more cards that continue the pattern. 1. What is the rule for the pattern? Explain how you know.”

  • Unit 7: Geometry, Assessment 7.1-7.7, Exercise 7b, students develop the full intent of 4.G.3 (Recognize a line of symmetry for a two-dimensional figure as a line across the figure such that the figure can be folded along the line into matching parts. Identify line-symmetric figures and draw lines of symmetry.), by recognizing a line of symmetry for a two-dimensional figure and drawing lines of symmetry. Given a picture of an X, “Use a ruler to draw one or more lines of symmetry. ___ line(s) of symmetry”

The assessment materials do not demonstrate the full intent of the Standards for Mathematical Practices. Examples include:

  • Unit 2: Operations with Whole Numbers, Assessment: Lessons 2.1-2.10, Exercise 8b, is identified as supporting MP 5 (Use appropriate tools strategically.) Students solve a four-digit by one-digit multiplication problem using the algorithm. Students see the problem as well as boxes for the solutions and any regrouping necessary to solve the problem. “3,736 × 4=”  Students are given the algorithm, and the problem is set up for them to solve. Students do not have the opportunity to choose an appropriate tool/strategy, nor recognize the insight to be gained from different tools/strategies.

  • Unit 3: Fractions, Assessment: Lessons 3.1-3.5, Exercise 1d, is identified as supporting MP 3 (Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.) Students, “Choose = or ≠. 34\frac{3}{4}  68\frac{6}{8}; 18\frac{1}{8}   24\frac{2}{4}” Students determine whether the fractions are equivalent, they do not have the opportunity to construct viable arguments or critique the reasoning of others.

  • Unit 5: Solve Word Problems, Lesson 5.10, Math Practices, Exercise 4c, is identified as supporting MP 5 (Use appropriate tools strategically). Students see 4 circles partitioned into 5 parts. The first 3 circles are completely shaded. The first circle has a black x through it.  The third circle has an x in one of its sections. The last circle has 2 of the 5 sections shaded blue with an x through both. “Write a word problem that can be solved using the diagram shown.”   Students create a word problem to represent the model, but are not asked to choose an appropriate tool or strategy to develop their mathematical thinking.

  • Unit 6: Measurement, Assessment: Lessons 6.8-6.14, Exercise 2a, is identified as supporting MP 3 (Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.) Students see a blue pencil labeled 16 cm, and a yellow pencil labeled 1cm. “The blue pencil is longer than the yellow pencil. How many millimeters longer? ____mm” Students do not have the opportunity to construct a viable argument or critique the reasoning of others. 

  • Unit 8: Geometric Measure, Lesson 8.3, Math practices, Exercise 4c, is identified as supporting MP 6 (Attend to precision). Students see a 90°, 45°, and 30° angle. “Without using a protractor, how could you draw a 75° angle using the angles that are shown?” Students would need to use a tool in order to attend to precision in measuring angles.

Indicator 3L
Read

Assessments offer accommodations that allow students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills without changing the content of the assessment.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 partially provide assessments which offer limited accommodations that allow students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills without changing the content of the assessment.  

Accommodations for formative and summative assessment items are limited. Formative assessment items are found within the Independent practice section of the lessons where the teacher has the ability to turn on/off and adjust the speed of the read out loud option. Students also have the option to click a button that will read out loud text for both formative and summative assessments. Assessments can be printed to provide students with additional space to work out the problem and its solution.

Criterion 3.3: Student Supports

07/08

The program includes materials designed for each student’s regular and active participation in grade-level/grade-band/series content.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 meet expectations for Student Supports. The materials provide: strategies and supports for students in special populations and for students who read, write, and/or speak in a language other than English to support their regular and active participation in learning grade-level mathematics, and manipulatives, both virtual and physical, that are accurate representations of the mathematical objects they represent and, when appropriate, are connected to written methods. The materials partially provide multiple extensions and/or opportunities for students to engage with grade-level mathematics at higher levels of complexity.

Indicator 3M
02/02

Materials provide strategies and supports for students in special populations to support their regular and active participation in learning grade-level/series mathematics.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 meet expectations for providing strategies and supports for students in special populations to support their regular and active participation in grade-level mathematics. Accommodations include the teacher’s ability to turn on/off the read aloud option in the settings tab on the teacher facing side of the materials. The speed of the read aloud can also be adjusted. On the student facing side of the program, students can click a button that will read aloud the introduction to the lesson. Directions for using the read aloud option is found under Documentation, instruction-videos, How to Read Out Loud Setting. The video guides the teacher on how to add the feature to selected students. The program is available in Spanish for students to use. Lessons and assessments are both available in Spanish, and no other language at this time is available. 

Most lessons provide adaptive exercises teachers can use to help reach all students at different levels of understanding. Snappet Teacher Manual, 6.2 Differentiation during the week, Flexible application, “While adaptively progressing through the Assignments, students practice the learning objectives interchangeably (when they are ready). After obtaining their own goals, students can choose additional learning objectives to practice, via the shuffle button. Through this format, exercises from achieved goals are presented, and thus students learn to recognize the appropriate math concept and the underlying skill is further anchored.”

Each lesson overview also provides opportunities to support ELL students, SEL (Social Emotional Learning), and advice on common errors (CE) in the lesson.  While the headings indicate strategies could be used in ELL, or SEL situations, the strategies could be used with other student groups to help better understand the content at that grade level.  Examples include:

  • Unit 2: Operations with Whole Numbers, Lesson 2.12, Lesson Overview, English Learners (EL), “Entering/Emerging, Listening: Have students use their cursor or finger to trace the problems on the screen as you read them aloud. Developing/Expanding, Speaking/Listening: Have pairs of students work together to write the quotients and find the patterns to divide. Bridging/Reaching, Writing: Have students write the definitions for the following words in a math journal: quotient, inverse operations, division, and dividend.”

  • Unit 4: Operations with Fractions, Lesson 4.16, Lesson Overview, Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), “Asking for and offering help when needed is a key element of learning math. Use these questions during the Student Discovery, teacher instruction, or anytime during small-group instruction to promote relationship skills in your classroom. What do you usually do when you need help with a lesson? How do you usually respond when someone asks you for help with a lesson? Why can it be hard to ask for help sometimes?”

  • Unit 5: Solve Word Problems, Lesson 5.7, Lesson Overview, Common Error (CE), “If students use the wrong operation as one of the steps, then tell them that they interpreted the word problem incorrectly. If students still struggle, encourage them to make a picture to represent the problem and then see how the picture can help them to figure out what operations they need to use to solve the problem.”

Indicator 3N
01/02

Materials provide extensions and/or opportunities for students to engage with grade-level/course-level mathematics at higher levels of complexity.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 partially meet expectations for providing extensions and/or opportunities for students to engage with grade-level mathematics at higher levels of complexity. The program does allow for teachers to assign different exercises for higher achieving students, but these exercises do not appear to be more complex when working on grade level standards. 

According to the Snappet materials, opportunities are provided for students to investigate grade- level content at a higher level of complexity. Per the Snappet Teacher Manual, these opportunities can be found in the Independent, Adaptive, and Mathematical practice sections of each lesson. For example:

  • Snappet Teacher Manual, 4.2 Independent and adaptive practice, “When the teacher has completed the instruction for the day, students are given the opportunity to practice independently on their new skills. Each lesson includes approximately ten practice problems that are scaffolded for difficulty and are common for the whole class. Students are then presented with ten adaptive exercises that are customized to their skill levels. The difficulty level of the adaptive practice exercises constantly adjusts to the student’s performance level. This allows for the teacher to provide a personalized learning path for each student in the class by challenging those students that are ready for more difficult work and remediating the practice for students that need more support.” 

  • Snappet Teacher Manual, 4.3 Mathematical Practices, “Snappet offers students the opportunity to “go beyond” with the Math Practices formative assessment exercises. These exercises are designed to challenge students with more complexity on the learning objectives. These non-routine problems offer the opportunity for students to challenge their thinking and discover their own way of solving problems.” 

  • Snappet Teacher Manual, 4.4 Independent and adaptive practice for enrichment or intervention, “Students who have demonstrated mastery on a learning objective can continue to work adaptively on other learning objectives the teacher has assigned. This allows teachers to offer enrichment exercises or intervention exercises based on the individual needs of the student. Teachers give students the opportunity to work adaptively in either of 2 ways: The student chooses from learning objectives the teacher has assigned The teacher can select ‘Assignments’ (adaptive practice) from a list of learning objectives in the program for the entire class or for individual students. Assignments can be selected from lessons that have already been taught for students that need extra support or from lessons that have yet to be taught for students that are ready to work ahead. Assignments for assigned learning objectives are visible to the student on their personal dashboards. Students can work on any learning objective where the teacher has already taught the lesson or where the teacher has assigned a specific learning objective to the student. The student chooses from completed learning objectives Students can practice adaptively on any learning objective from lessons that have been taught by the teacher. They simply choose from the list of learning objectives and the program will create a set of 10 adaptive practice exercises for students to complete. Students can also choose to randomize the set of 10 exercises from all the learning objectives in the list. The learning objectives on the student dashboard are grouped by subdomain, for example, meaning of numbers to 100, area, money, etc. The student’s progress is visible for each subdomain and for every learning objective that is tied to the subdomain. This allows a student to determine which learning objective under each subdomain needs additional practice.”  

  • Teaching using the Snappet Method, “Extend learning using MATH PRACTICES: Teachers will utilize the exercises available in Math Practices to go deeper in the complexity of student learning. These exercises are designed to be non-routine, open ended, and an extension of the discussions that occurred during the lesson. Often, these exercises will extend beyond the Student Discovery activities. It is recommended to group students into groups of 2 (K-2) or 3 (3-5) to encourage students to discuss their thinking and give evidence for their reasoning. INDEPENDENT AND ADAPTIVE PRACTICE: Students continue their learning of the concepts during independent practice. Independent Practice exercises are written at grade level and act as a “diagnostic assessment” to determine the appropriate level of Adaptive Practice. Adaptive practice offers 5 levels of difficulty that are defined by the quintile measures. Level 3 is considered grade-level proficient. Quality is the goal over quantity. It is recommended that only 1-3 sets (10-30 questions) of adaptive practice exercises be completed in any one practice session. Once students have reached their target goals and attained their desired level, they should either practice on a different concept or finish practice for the day.” 

While Snappet materials designate opportunities for advanced students to investigate the grade- level mathematics at a higher level of complexity, these opportunities are within the expectation of the grade-level standard and often do not extend student thinking at a higher level of complexity. Examples include but are not limited to:

  • Unit 1: Numbers, Lesson 1.14, Independent practice, Adaptive exercises, Hardest, Exercise 2, “32, ___, ___, ___, ___.  The rule is multiply by 2.” This is an expectation of 4.OA.5 (Generate a number or shape pattern that follows a given rule. Identify apparent features of the pattern that were not explicit in the rule itself...)

  • Unit 2: Operations with Whole Numbers, Lesson 2.4, Independent practice, Adaptive exercises, Hardest, Exercise 4, Choose a strategy to solve 7×4097\times409. 7×409=7\times409=___ Which strategy did you use?” This is an expectation of 4.NBT.5 (Multiply a whole number of up to four digits by a one-digit whole number, and multiply two two-digit numbers, using strategies based on place value and the properties of operations. Illustrate and explain the calculation by using equations, rectangular arrays, and/or area models.)

  • Unit 4: Operations with Fractions, Lesson 4.1, Math practices, Exercise 4b, “27+27=47\frac{2}{7}+\frac{2}{7}=\frac{4}{7} Why does the denominator remain the same when you add these fractions? Why does the numerator change when you add these fractions?” This is an expectation of 4.NF.3c (Add and subtract mixed numbers with like denominators (e.g., by replacing each mixed number with an equivalent fraction and/or by using the properties of operations and the relationship between addition and subtraction.)

  • Unit 5: Solve Word Problems, Lesson 5.9, Independent practice, Adaptive exercises, Hard, Exercise 3, students see a picture of a cat and a turkey. “Cat, 154 oz., Turkey, 302 oz., How much do the cat and turkey differ in weight? Round the weight. About 50 oz., About 100 oz., About 150 oz., About 200 oz.” This is an expectation of 4.OA.3 (Solve multistep word problems posed with whole numbers and having whole-number answers using the four operations, including problems in which remainders must be interpreted. Represent these problems using equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantity. Assess the reasonableness of answers using mental computation and estimation strategies including rounding.)

  • Unit 7: Geometry, Lesson 7.3, Math practices, Exercise 4b, “Hui said that he drew an equivalent triangle. Select the questions that Hui should answer with “no.” Does your triangle have any obtuse angles? Does your triangle have any acute angles? Does your triangle have a right angle? Does your triangle have only two equal sides?” This is an expectation of 4.G.2 (Classify two-dimensional figures based on the presence or absence of parallel or perpendicular lines, or the presence or absence of angles of a specified size. Recognize right triangles as a category, and identify right triangles.)

  • Unit 8: Geometric Measurement, Lesson 8.1, Independent practice, Adaptive exercises, Hardest, Exercise 1, given three equal parts shaded of a circle, “The angle measurement of the three colored parts altogether is ___.” This is an expectation of 4.MD.5 (Recognize angles as geometric shapes that are formed wherever two rays share a common end point, and understand concepts of angle measurement.)

Indicator 3O
Read

Materials provide varied approaches to learning tasks over time and variety in how students are expected to demonstrate their learning with opportunities for students to monitor their learning.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 provide varied approaches to learning tasks over time and variety in how students are expected to demonstrate their learning with opportunities for students to monitor their learning. According to the Snappet Teacher Manual, “Student discovery: Lessons begin with hands-on learning. Research supports that new concepts are best learned using manipulatives in real, informal situations. This learning serves as the basis for conceptual understanding.” As this is a computer software based program, the students' work is primarily dragging icons or typing into the computer. There are times when the guidance for teachers is to collect in person responses, such as showing fingers (kinesthetic) or explaining their thinking. Examples include:

  • Unit 1: Numbers, Lesson 1.12, Math practices, Exercise 4b, Teacher Tip, “Students will continue working with a partner. Allow time for students to look at the pattern. Be sure students can identify the second row. Have partners discuss the pattern they see in the second row. Students may see a pattern that has a triangle in the top left and then in the top right. Then the pattern repeats.” Given an image of a 3-D square pattern with shaded parts resembling triangles with a missing pattern displayed as a question mark, “What pattern do you see in the second row? ____”

  • Unit 3: Fractions, Lesson 3.1, Math practices, Exercise 4c, given an image of two fifths and a vertical line for students to move and drag, “Explain to a partner how to find a different equivalent fraction. Drag lines to model an equivalent fraction. Name the fraction. 25\frac{2}{5} = ??\frac{?}{?}

  • Unit 5: Solve Word Problems, Lesson 5.4, Math practices, Exercise 4b, given the answer choices of quotient, remainder, and quotient without the remainder, “Hugo is packing bags of scarfs to donate. He has 48 scarfs and puts 7 scarfs in each box. He will keep the rest of the scarves for himself. How many scarfs will Hugo keep? ___÷\div___ = ____ R ____ Which part of the solution is the answer? Quotient, Remainder, Quotient without the remainder, Explain how you know.”

Indicator 3P
Read

Materials provide opportunities for teachers to use a variety of grouping strategies.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 provide opportunities for teachers to use a variety of grouping strategies. Grouping suggestions are provided for teachers within the Teacher Manual, Unit Overviews, and the Teacher Tips of lesson activities and include guidance for a variety of groupings, including whole group, small group, pairs, or individual. Examples include:

  • Documentation, Teacher Manual, 4.3 Small Group Instruction, “Included in each lesson is an opportunity to support struggling students with small group instruction exercises. These exercises are designed to support students that are having difficulty reaching their target goals on a given learning objective. The program will identify the students that could benefit from small group instruction and provide the teacher with the reteaching lesson necessary to improve the learning of these struggling students.”

  • Documentation, Unit Overviews, Unit 8 Overview: Geometric Measurement, Grouping Strategies/Routines, “Critique/Correct/Clarify: Students/pairs are given a prompt with an incorrect, incomplete, or ambiguous solution or explanation. They reflect on the prompt, and then improve it by correcting errors and clarifying the explanation. (8.2); Talk About It: Students share their different methods of solving a problem. Ask: Who thought about it a different way? (8.3); Co-Craft Questions: Students/pairs rewrite mathematical questions in their own words. (8.4); Think Pair Share: Students think individually about a topic or answer to a question and share ideas with a partner. (8.5); Three Reads: Students read a math scenario three times with a different goal each time. The FIRST READ is to understand the context. The SECOND READ is to understand the mathematics. The THIRD READ is to generate a plan for solving the problem. (8.6) ”

  • Unit 1: Numbers, Lesson 1.5, Instruction & guided practice, Exercise 1d, Teacher Tip, “In pairs, ask each student to lay down some play money. Ask students to put one of the three index cards between the two amounts. Ask: Is the amount on your side greater than, less than, or equal to the amount on your partner’s side? Ask one pair to share how they determined which card to put between the two piles.”

Indicator 3Q
02/02

Materials provide strategies and supports for students who read, write, and/or speak in a language other than English to regularly participate in learning grade-level mathematics.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 meet expectations for providing strategies and supports for students who read, write, and/or speak in a language other than English to regularly participate in learning grade-level mathematics. Snappet Math Grade 4 materials are also available in Spanish, which provide teacher directions in English and student pages in Spanish. Within each Lesson Overview, a section titled “English Learners (EL)” provides teachers with strategies and supports for ELL students. While these strategies and supports are present in the Unit Overview, there is a lack of clarity in how they are applied to particular exercises. Examples include:

  • Unit 1: Numbers, Lesson 1.6, Lesson Overview, English Learners (EL), “Entering/Emerging Speaking: Review the multiple-meaning word round with students. Have partners take turns saying sentences that use each meaning of the word.”

  • Unit 4: Operations with Fractions, Lesson 4.4, Lesson Overview, English Learners (EL), “Bridging/Reaching Writing: Show students the word non-mixed and review the prefix non–, meaning not. Have students write a definition in their own words for the word non-mixed.”

  • Unit 6: Measurement and Data, Lesson 6.13, Lesson Overview, English Learners (EL), “Entering/Emerging Speaking: Review the pronunciation of the terms perimeter and area with students. Have them work with a partner to determine the perimeter and area of the classroom and report their findings using the terms.”

Indicator 3R
Read

Materials provide a balance of images or information about people, representing various demographic and physical characteristics.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 provide a balance of images or information about people, representing various demographic and physical characteristics. Images of characters are included in the student facing materials when they connect to the problem tasks. These images represent different races and portray people in a positive, respectful manner, with no demographic bias for who achieves success based on the grade-level mathematics and problem circumstances. All pictures/graphics are in cartoon form, representing different skin color hues, with no actual people used. Some names include multi-cultural references such as Hector, Samira, Finn, and Zion. Problem settings vary from rural, to urban, and international locations. Additionally, lessons include a variety of problem contexts to interest students of various demographic and personal characteristics.

Indicator 3S
Read

Materials provide guidance to encourage teachers to draw upon student home language to facilitate learning.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 do not provide guidance to encourage teachers to draw upon student home language to facilitate learning. Snappet Math provides a family letter in English and Spanish for teachers to use. The Snappet Teacher Manual does not include guidance for teachers to draw upon student home language. Unit Overviews include ELL supports under “English Learners (EL),” and are included in Teacher Tips, however there is no guidance to draw upon a students’ home language to facilitate learning.

Indicator 3T
Read

Materials provide guidance to encourage teachers to draw upon student cultural and social backgrounds to facilitate learning.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 do not provide guidance to encourage teachers to draw upon student cultural and social backgrounds to facilitate learning. Some problems could be considered interesting and motivating for some students. However, the materials are very generic and lack the cultural relevance to facilitate learning. Examples include but are not limited to:

  • Instructional activities do not incorporate student cultural or social backgrounds. Images of people are mostly cartoon heads with no culturally significant outfits, context, etc. 

  • Equity and access are not addressed and guidance is not provided.

  • Unit 6: Measurement and Data, Performance task, Exercise 1a, Problem 1, “Neighborhood Barbecue A group of neighbors plan a barbecue. They expect 32 adults and 20 children to attend the barbecue. 1. The neighbors expect each adult to eat 2 hot dogs and each child to eat 1 hot dog. How many hot dogs should they buy? Show your work.”

Indicator 3U
Read

Materials provide supports for different reading levels to ensure accessibility for students.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 provide supports for different reading levels to ensure accessibility for students. The Instruction and guided practice segment of the lessons include sections labeled, “Student discovery (in an actual situation or using manipulative),” “Apply in a concrete pictorial representation,” and “Apply in an abstract representation.” Each lesson also provides suggestions for English Learners that could be applied to support lower reading levels. The Grade 4 Snappet Math materials contain limited reading on each slide and include picture supports. Examples include:

  • Unit 1: Numbers, Lesson 1.3, Math Practices, Exercise 4a,  “The building is 1,135 feet tall. Write the number using words. ____ What is the relationship between the number and words? ____.” Teacher Tip, “(MP) Give students time to read and answer the question. Call on a volunteer to explain their answer. Then call on another volunteer to explain their answer. Lead a class discussion about different ways to write the number using words. Explain that there are many different ways to write the number using words. Also explain that there is a relationship between each digit in the number and the words they use to represent its value. One way the number can be written is eleven hundred thirty-five.”

  • Unit 4: Operations with Fractions, Lesson 4.8, Lesson Overview, English Learners (EL), “Writing: Review the word section with students. Note that it can also be a verb. Ask students to make an educated guess as to what the verb form means. Then have students write sentences with the noun and verb forms of section.

  • Unit 6: Measurement and Data, Lesson 6.2, Lesson Overview, English Learners (EL), “Speaking: Review the words cup, pint, quart, and gallon with students. Have students work with a partner to prepare and give a demonstration that shows the sizes of these units of measure.”

Indicator 3V
02/02

Manipulatives, both virtual and physical, are accurate representations of the mathematical objects they represent and, when appropriate, are connected to written methods.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Kindergarten meet expectations for providing manipulatives, both physical and virtual, that are accurate representations of the mathematical objects they represent and, when appropriate, are connected to written methods. The Snappet Math materials encourage students to use both physical and virtual manipulatives during lessons, as needed. Physical manipulative material lists are found in the Pacing Guides, Materials Lists, and Lesson Overviews. Virtual manipulatives can be found in a variety of lessons and accurately represent the math object. Examples include: 

  • Documentation, Pacing Guide, provides a table that includes a column identifying the materials to be used in the unit. “Unit 1: Numbers (3 - 4 weeks); Materials: Base-ten blocks, Colored beads, Counters, Hundreds chart, Index cards, Markers, Paper clips, Play money, Six-sided die (number cube), String.”

  • Documentation, Material List, provides a table listing the materials, units, and approximate quantity needed. “Material: Base-ten blocks; Unit(s): 1, 2; Approximate Quantity needed: 10 unit cubes, 10 ten rods, 10 hundred flats, 10 thousand cubes per pair of students.”

  • Unit 2: Operations with Whole Numbers, Lesson 2.18, Lesson Overview, Materials, identifies any manipulatives needed for the lesson, “Twenty counters per student.”

  • Unit 6: Measurement and Data, Lesson 6.2, Small group instruction, Exercise 3a, students use a virtual quarter to decide which of three other items would also be about 1 inch.  Students are shown a quarter, tree, pencil, and laptop computer.  The quarter is labeled with 1 inch on it.  “Use your understanding of the length of an inch to decide which item is about 1 inch. Tap the item that is about 1 inch.”

Criterion 3.4: Intentional Design

Read

The program includes a visual design that is engaging and references or integrates digital technology, when applicable, with guidance for teachers.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 integrate technology such as interactive tools, virtual manipulatives/objects, and/or dynamic mathematics software in ways that engage students in the grade-level standards; include or reference digital technology that provides opportunities for teachers and/or students to collaborate with each other; have a visual design that supports students in engaging thoughtfully with the subject that is neither distracting nor chaotic; and provide teacher guidance for the use of embedded technology to support and enhance student learning.

Indicator 3W
Read

Materials integrate technology such as interactive tools, virtual manipulatives/objects, and/or dynamic mathematics software in ways that engage students in the grade-level/series standards, when applicable.

The materials for Snappet Math Grade 4 integrate technology such as interactive tools, virtual manipulatives/objects, and/or dynamic mathematics software in ways that engage students in the grade-level/series standards, when applicable.

Documents that provide information related to integrated technology to engage students include the Teacher Manual and the Snappet Family Letter. Virtual manipulatives are available within lessons, when appropriate. Examples include:

  • Snappet Teacher Manual, 1. Deeper Learning with Snappet Math, “Snappet is a K-5 blended core math program that balances hands-on learning using manipulatives and paper/pencil with digital resources that offer real-time feedback and adaptive practice technology. Each lesson embeds Conceptual Learning as the foundation and is designed to progress students along the learning path that begins with Student Discovery, transitions to Applying in Concrete pictorial representations, and then provides opportunities for Processing in Abstract representations. In Snappet, students will build understanding by problem solving using Models, Number Sentences, and Word Problems to develop mathematical fluency. The Learning Path, Student Discovery Lessons begin with hands-on learning. Research supports that new concepts are best learned using manipulatives in real, informal situations. This learning serves as the basis for conceptual understanding. Apply in Concrete, Actual situations are presented as a concrete representation using models and visuals. Students learn to establish the relationship between the actual situation and the concrete representation. Process in Abstract, Concrete situations are replaced with abstract mathematical symbols such as dashes, squares, or circles. Different schemas, models and step-by-step plans are often used for this. Learning takes place at a higher, more abstract level, preparing students for practicing procedural skills, developing fluency, and applying concepts flexibly to different situations. Lesson Design that promotes Conceptual Learning, Warm-up: Activating prior knowledge Hands-on: Student Discovery Lesson: Instruction with guided practice Practice and apply: On grade level and adaptive practice Intervention/Enrichment: Small group instruction.”

  • Snappet Teacher Manual, 4.4 Independent and adaptive practice for enrichment or intervention, “Students who have demonstrated mastery on a learning objective can continue to work adaptively on other learning objectives the teacher has assigned. This allows teachers to offer enrichment exercises or intervention exercises based on the individual needs of the student. Teachers give students the opportunity to work adaptively in either of 2 ways: The student chooses from learning objectives the teacher has assigned, The teacher can select ‘Assignments’ (adaptive practice) from a list of learning objectives in the program for the entire class or for individual students. Assignments can be selected from lessons that have already been taught for students that need extra support or from lessons that have yet to be taught for students that are ready to work ahead. Assignments for assigned learning objectives are visible to the student on their personal dashboards. Students can work on any learning objective where the teacher has already taught the lesson or where the teacher has assigned a specific learning objective to the student. The student chooses from completed learning objectives, Students can practice adaptively on any learning objective from lessons that have been taught by the teacher. They simply choose from the list of learning objectives and the program will create a set of 10 adaptive practice exercises for students to complete. Students can also choose to randomize the set of 10 exercises from all the learning objectives in the list. The learning objectives on the student dashboard are grouped by subdomain, for example, meaning of numbers to 100, area, money, etc. The student’s progress is visible for each subdomain and for every learning objective that is tied to the subdomain. This allows a student to determine which learning objective under each subdomain needs additional practice.”

  • Documentation, Snappet Family Letter, “Quality versus Quantity: Snappet is a very engaging program for children and there is sometimes a tendency to overdo the amount of practice on any given learning objective. It is recommended to complete 1-2 sets of adaptive practice on a specific learning objective at any given time and then allow us to evaluate their progress together. Based on their performance on the practice sets, no additional practice may be needed, additional practice may be necessary, or reteaching the concept may be required. We will work together to determine which path is best before proceeding.”

  • Unit 4: Operations with Fractions, Lesson 4.8, Independent practice, Exercise 2a, students use the interactive fraction bar to solve a mixed number subtraction problem. Students are shown 4 fraction bars, including one that is partitioned into 10 pieces. “Click the colored sections to subtract. 36103\frac{6}{10} - 13101\frac{3}{10}= .”

Indicator 3X
Read

Materials include or reference digital technology that provides opportunities for teachers and/or students to collaborate with each other, when applicable.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 include or reference digital technology that provides opportunities for teachers and/or students to collaborate with each other, when applicable.

Snappet Math runs via an online site where teachers and students can collaborate on lessons, exercises and assessments. Through the online platform, teachers are given regular feedback on student work completed. The feedback allows the teacher and student to collaborate on the work that needs to be done to successfully master a standard at the current grade level. Examples include:

  • Snappet Teacher Manual, 7.1 Organizing and and guiding ownership, “In Snappet, students can work effectively, safely, and independently on the learning objectives for which they have already had instruction. In the student edition, the student sees an overview of all the learning objectives, including their personal progress, skill level, and growth in each area. The student can always work on these learning objectives at their own level, even after the personal target level has been achieved. Deep learning activities are automatically deployed where appropriate. If a teacher prefers more control, they can assign Assignments as extra practice with one click. This ensures that teachers have the tools necessary to help with student ownership and overall growth.”

  • Snappet Teacher Manual, 7.2 Feedback per lesson or learning objective, allows the teacher and student to meet about current lessons and objectives. “Each lesson starts with the introduction of the learning objective with a ‘learning objective card’. This is how the student knows what they are about to learn. During the whole group instruction, the teacher gradually introduces each new part.  During the teacher-facilitated lesson, the student will know immediately after each question if a question was answered correctly. Each student’s answers (anonymously) are immediately visible on the dashboard and are conveniently grouped by error. This is how a teacher can know in real-time when mistakes are still being made and can give the most helpful feedback easily, directly and focused. Even during the independent practice, the student receives clear feedback about their own growth and progress. The student sees their personal target level for the learning objective and a bar that fills up as he or she progresses towards their own goal. ‘Have I already achieved the learning objective, or do I need to continue practicing?’ The visible aspect of this approach provides each student motivation to take ownership of their learning.  In all lessons and learning objectives, the student sees the same feedback. This gives the student insight into their progress on lessons and learning objectives. ‘Have I already achieved the learning objective? Am I still making progress? This way the student can determine what is the best action to ultimately achieve learning objective success. For example, the student may decide to continue practicing independently or look for extra help. The student can – possibly together with the teacher – see which tasks for this learning objective have gone well and which one need more support.”

  • Snappet Teacher Manual, 7.3 Weekly Feedback, provides the teacher another layer, and type, of collaboration with students. “In the lesson plan, the student sees what learning goals are available for that week. The current level, the target level, and the progress level are all available (if these are known).  During the week, the student is able see to what extent they have already achieved the learning objectives. They can also view what learning objectives they still must work on to ultimately achieve all the objectives for the week.”

  • Snappet Teacher Manual, 7.4 Feedback per semester or year, provides a wider overview of student success.  “In the learning objective overview, the student sees which domains and learning objectives are available this school year on their device. Furthermore, the student also sees their last level per domain and learning objective.  During the school year, the student progress is shown by subdomain. On which subdomains are the students doing well and which subdomains have room for growth? Inside each subdomain, the student sees which learning objectives have been accomplished, and which are still not mastered. Based on this information the student can determine which subdomains and learning objectives they still need to practice.”

  • Snappet Teacher Manual, 7.5 Feedback after each assignment, offers more data and information to collaborate on, “During independent practice, students immediately see whether their answer is correct or not: they are shown a green symbol or a red symbol. With a green symbol the student immediately proceeds to the next task, or with a red dot the student returns to the current task where they can try again. If the answer is wrong for the second time, the student goes to the next exercise in the series. While creating assignments, the progress for the student is visible. As soon as there are sufficient responses that have been created for a score calculation (25 to 30 tasks), the skill level on the learning objective is becomes visible for making various determinations. A teacher can see, per assignment, what -if any- deterioration has occurred, by means of a plus or minus score. This score is always calculated in relation to their own level. The tasks are adaptive and measured at the level of the student.” The teacher can also assign adaptive exercises based on the success of the student in each lesson.

Indicator 3Y
Read

The visual design (whether in print or digital) supports students in engaging thoughtfully with the subject, and is neither distracting nor chaotic.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 have a visual design (whether in print or digital) that supports students in engaging thoughtfully with the subject, and is neither distracting nor chaotic.

Snappet Math provides a consistent design within units and lessons that supports student understanding of the mathematics. In the student digital format, each lesson has exercises for students to complete. Students see one problem at a time, and the teacher receives results for the work students complete within the program in order to inform instruction. Student materials, in printed consumable format, include appropriate font size, amount and placement of directions, and space on the page for students to show their mathematical thinking. The teacher digital format is easy to navigate and engaging. The digital format of each lesson is set up with tabs for Lesson Overview, Instruction & guided practice, Independent practice, Small group instruction, and Math practices. Assessments and exercises can be printed to use with students as needed. The teacher manual and lesson and unit overviews can be easily printed as well. Some spelling errors and grammatical errors have been found in the program. None have been found that impact the ability to use the program, but they are easily identified. Examples of material design include:

  • Snappet Teacher Manual, 4. Lesson Structure, “Snappet lessons are organized by learning objective and focus on one learning objective per lesson. Each lesson consists of three parts: Instruction and guided practice, The teacher introduces the learning goal, activates prior knowledge, delivers the lesson, and monitors guided practice. Independent practice and adaptive practice, The students continue to work independently while receiving immediate feedback and are continuously challenged at their own level while working in adaptive practice.  Small group instruction, The teacher can help students who need additional support with these extension exercises. Math Practices, The teacher can increase complexity by using these non-routine formative assessments at the end of the guided practice or after independent practice.” 

  • Snappet Teacher Manual, 4.1 Instructional and guided practice, Learning Phases, “1. Introduce the learning objective so students know what they are going to learn, 2. Activate prior knowledge to connect learning with the current lesson, 3. Student discovery using manipulatives or in an actual situation, 4. Apply in a concrete pictorial representation, 5. Process in an abstract representation to work towards procedural skill, 6. Practice procedural skill, 7. Summarize the learning objective.”

Indicator 3Z
Read

Materials provide teacher guidance for the use of embedded technology to support and enhance student learning, when applicable.

The materials reviewed for Snappet Math Grade 4 provide teacher guidance for the use of embedded technology to support and enhance student learning, when applicable. The Teacher Manual provides guidance for using embedded technology to support and enhance student learning. Examples include:

  • Snappet Teacher Manual, 4.1 Instruction and guided practice,  “Interactive instruction on the Interactive Whiteboard: The students follow the instruction and guided practice on the whiteboard and on their own devices. The answers in the instructional statements are blurred and appear when the teacher clicks on the answer. In addition, the teacher can annotate and draw on the instruction screen with the exercise examples and on a blank screen. Some of the instruction and practice exercises contain interactive elements that the teacher and student can use to help understand the concepts. Some examples are calculators, moveable fractions, interactive clocks, clickable images or text, draggable elements, and draggable elements with a value.”

  • Snappet Teacher Manual, 4.1 Instruction and guided practice, “Immediate feedback during the guided practice: When a student inputs an answer on their own device during guided practice, a colored response circle will immediately appear to the right of the example problem. Green is correct, red is incorrect, and the hybrid red-green circles indicates a student has corrected an incorrect response. The same incorrect answers are grouped together. Clicking on any circle will reveal the answer that was entered, which will give teachers the opportunity to do real-time error analysis during instruction. Answers are anonymous, but teachers will see the initials of students that have not provided a response.”

  • Snappet Teacher Manual, 4.2 Independent and adaptive practice, “Real-time progress monitoring: While students are working on their practice problems, the teacher can monitor the progress of their class in real-time. If the teacher notices a student or groups of students struggling with the exercises, they can intervene and provide support targeted to the needs of the students. At the same time, students who are “getting it” can move directly into adaptive practice and receive more challenging practice problems customized to their skill levels.”

  • Snappet Teacher Manual, 5.1 Student reports, “Overview of student progress: This report shows the growth, current skill, and progress for the entire subject. Growth: The growth indicates how the student is developing in their math skills compared to the population (all other students in the equivalent grade working with Snappet in that school year). Does the student grow faster than other students? If so, then he or she grows above average. This is reflected in the growth chart. The line will rise faster than the colored bands of the graph. If a student grows with the graph, then they have average growth. If the student’s line rises less rapidly than the colored bands of the graph, then the student is showing below average growth. Skill level: The skill level represents the student performance level relative to the rest of the population at the same grade level. A student’s skill level is based on the quintile range and is reflected as a number ranking 0-5. If a student has a skill level of 4 on a learning objective, then they outperform 60 percent of the rest of the population at their equivalent grade level. Learning progress: The progress bar for the learning objectives indicates how far the student has progressed for the school year in relation to their learning goals. The dark blue section is the area of the program where the student has achieved their goals. The light blue section is the area of the program where the student is still growing towards their goals. The yellow section is the area of the program where the student is not showing progress. Finally, the gray section indicates the area of the program where the student has not started working.  Exercises: This column indicates the number of exercises the student has completed in the selected time period. By using the Skill Level, Learning Progress, and number of Exercises completed, the teacher has a clear picture on how each student is doing at any given time during the school year. The teacher can also view what content has been completed and customize support for students that are struggling on specific subdomains.”

  • Snappet Teacher Manual, 5.2 Class overview, “The class overview report is a summary of all the student reports in the roster. This gives the teacher the ability to view the progress of their entire class on one screen. Class overview of Math: With this overview, the teacher can immediately see how the class is developing, where learning is going well, and where more attention is needed. Above the student report is the summary of the entire class that includes the number of exercises attempted, the growth of the overall class, and a summary of the progress for the entire course. The growth of the class is summarized using a green and orange progress bar. The green area of the bar represents the students that are showing average or above average growth. The yellow and orange area of the bar represents students that are growing below average. The growth summary is an easy way for teachers to see how their class is performing. The Curriculum Progress bar shows how far the class has progressed in achieving their target goals for the school year. Dark blue: Target goals reached, Light blue: Growing towards target goals, Yellow: Students are stuck in their progress, Grey: Content has not been introduced.”