Report Overview
Summary of Alignment & Usability: Zearn | Math
Math K-2
The instructional materials for Zearn Grades 1-5 meet the expectations for focus and coherence in Gateway 1. All grades meet the expectations for focus as they assess grade-level topics and spend the majority of class time on major work of the grade. Grades 1-5 meet the expectations for coherence, In Gateway 2, all grades meet the expectations for rigor and balance, but all grades partially meet the expectations for practice-content connections as they do not always identify the Mathematical Practices or attend to the full meaning of each practice standard. In Gateway 3, all grades meet the expectations for instructional supports and usability. The instructional materials show strengths by being well designed and taking into account effective lesson structure and pacing, and they meet the expectations for offering teachers resources and tools to collect ongoing data about student progress on the Standards.
Materials for Kindergarten were not available at the time the review was initiated. EdReports will review the materials in the future.
Kindergarten
View Full ReportEdReports 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)
Materials must meet expectations for standards alignment in order to be reviewed for usability. This rating reflects the overall series average.
Usability (Gateway 3)
1st Grade
View Full ReportEdReports 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)
Materials must meet expectations for standards alignment in order to be reviewed for usability. This rating reflects the overall series average.
Usability (Gateway 3)
2nd Grade
View Full ReportEdReports 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)
Materials must meet expectations for standards alignment in order to be reviewed for usability. This rating reflects the overall series average.
Usability (Gateway 3)
Math 3-5
The instructional materials for Zearn Grades 1-5 meet the expectations for focus and coherence in Gateway 1. All grades meet the expectations for focus as they assess grade-level topics and spend the majority of class time on major work of the grade. Grades 1-5 meet the expectations for coherence, In Gateway 2, all grades meet the expectations for rigor and balance, but all grades partially meet the expectations for practice-content connections as they do not always identify the Mathematical Practices or attend to the full meaning of each practice standard. In Gateway 3, all grades meet the expectations for instructional supports and usability. The instructional materials show strengths by being well designed and taking into account effective lesson structure and pacing, and they meet the expectations for offering teachers resources and tools to collect ongoing data about student progress on the Standards.
3rd Grade
View Full ReportEdReports 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)
Materials must meet expectations for standards alignment in order to be reviewed for usability. This rating reflects the overall series average.
Usability (Gateway 3)
4th Grade
View Full ReportEdReports 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)
Materials must meet expectations for standards alignment in order to be reviewed for usability. This rating reflects the overall series average.
Usability (Gateway 3)
5th Grade
View Full ReportEdReports 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)
Materials must meet expectations for standards alignment in order to be reviewed for usability. This rating reflects the overall series average.
Usability (Gateway 3)
Report for 4th Grade
Alignment Summary
The instructional materials for Zearn Grade 4 meet the expectation for alignment to the CCSS. In Gateway 1, the instructional materials meet the expectations for focus by assessing grade-level content and spending at least 65% of class time on the major clusters of the grade, and they are coherent and consistent with the Standards. In Gateway 2, the instructional materials reflect the balances in the Standards and help students meet the Standards’ rigorous expectations, but they partially connect the Standards for Mathematical Content and the Standards for Mathematical Practice.
4th Grade
Alignment (Gateway 1 & 2)
Usability (Gateway 3)
Overview of Gateway 1
Focus & Coherence
The instructional materials for Zearn Grade 4 meet the expectation for focusing on the major work of the grade and having a sequence of topics that is consistent with the logical structure of mathematics. The materials do not assess topics before the grade level indicated, spend at least 65 percent of class time on the major clusters of the grade, and are coherent and consistent with the Standards.
Gateway 1
v1.0
Criterion 1.1: Focus
The instructional materials for Zearn Grade 4 meet the expectations for not assessing topics before the grade level in which the topic should be introduced. Overall, the materials assess grade-level content and, if applicable, content from earlier grades.
Indicator 1A
The instructional materials reviewed for Zearn Grade 4 meet the expectations for assessing grade-level content and, if applicable, content from earlier grades.
- Zearn has two components to the program, Independent Digital Lessons and Teacher-Led Instruction. The summative assessments are located in the Teacher-Led Instruction section of the program.
- The summative assessments in each Mission, except Missions 2 and 7, include a Mid-Module and End-of-Module assessment. In Missions 2 and 7 there are End-of-Module assessments.
- Each assessment question has been linked to one or more of the standards which are specified in the rubric.
The instructional materials focus on grade-level content.
- Mission 1: Students determine numbers ten times the size of another number (4.NBT.1), compare numbers (4.NBT.2), and write numbers in expanded form (4.NBT.2).
- Mission 2: Students convert kilometers to meters, kilograms to grams, and liters to milliliters which assesses (4.MD.1 and 4.NBT.1).
- Mission 7: Students convert pounds to ounces and hours to minutes (4.MD.1).
Criterion 1.2: Coherence
The instructional materials for Zearn Grade 4 meet the expectation for students and teachers using the materials as designed, devoting the majority of class time to the major work of the grade. Overall, the instructional materials spend at least 65 percent of class time on the major clusters of the grade.
Indicator 1B
The instructional materials reviewed for Zearn Grade 4 meet the expectation for spending the majority of class time on the major clusters of the grade. This includes all clusters within 4.NBT and 4.NF along with 4.OA.A.
According to Missions and Standards Overview for Grade 4, the materials contain 7 Missions, 136 Lessons, and 36 Weeks, with 4 lessons per week.
- 5 of the 7 Missions include one or more major clusters of Grade 4. Approximately 71 percent of the Missions focus on major work of the grade.
- Approximately 32 of the 36 Weeks of instruction are spent on major work of Grade 4, or 88 percent of the year.
- There are a total of 136 Lessons, and approximately 117 Lessons focus on the major work of Grade 4 (or 86 percent of the Lessons).
The most representative perspective for this indicator is Weeks, with Zearn spending approximately 88 percent of instructional time on the major work of the grade.
Criterion 1.3: Coherence
The instructional materials for Zearn Grade 4 meet the expectation for being coherent and consistent with the Standards. Overall, the instructional materials have supporting content that enhances focus and coherence, are consistent with the progressions in the Standards, and foster coherence through connections at a single grade, where appropriate and required by the Standards.
Indicator 1C
The instructional materials reviewed for Zearn Grade 4 meet expectations for the supporting content enhancing focus and coherence simultaneously by engaging students in the major work of the grade.
During Independent Digital Practice students develop fluency in Number Gyms and Blasts, engage in guided practice in Math Chats, and do independent practice in the Tower of Power sections of the lessons. In Teacher-Led Instruction teachers present fluency, lessons, and word problems to engage students with content. In both the Independent Digital Practice and Teacher-Led Instruction students have multiple opportunities to engage with supporting standards connected to the major work of the grade.
- Mission 2 focuses on supporting cluster 4.MD.A. In these lessons, students solve problems involving measurement and conversion of measurements by adding and subtracting multi-digit numbers (4.OA.3 and 4.NBT.4).
- Mission 3 focuses on major clusters 4.NBT.B and 4.OA.A, and the materials connect these with supporting standard 4.MD.3 in Topic A. For example, students solve problems finding the area and perimeter of figures while working with the properties of operations and problems that use all four operations with whole numbers.
Indicator 1D
The instructional materials reviewed for Zearn Grade 4 meet the expectation for having an amount of content that is viable for one school year in order to foster coherence between grades.
The Independent Digital Lessons are broken up into four main components: Fluency, Guided Practice, Independent Practice, and Bonus. The components have different titles depending on the lesson and how the student is progressing through the program. The Teacher-Led Instruction is broken into six sections: Whole Group Fluency, Small Group Lessons, Whole Group Word Problems, Optional Homework, Assessments, and Optional Problem Sets.
The suggested time frame for completing the 136 Independent Digital Lessons and Teacher-Led Instruction is approximately 36 weeks. This provides material for 180 days. A typical day consists of 15 minutes of Whole Group Fluency and Word Problems, 30 minutes of individual digital content, and 30 minutes of small-group, direct teacher instruction. There are also 12 summative assessments in the Zearn program.
Indicator 1E
The instructional materials reviewed for Zearn Grade 4 meet the expectations for being consistent with the progressions in the Standards.
The materials identify and explicitly connect grade-level work to prior or future grades. Users of the materials will find these connections throughout the materials. The materials give all students extensive work with grade-level problems. The following are places that clearly demonstrate the progressions of the Standards and the connections from grade to grade:
- Each Mission has a Summary. This Summary explains how the lessons work through the progression of Grade 4 and make applicable connections to past or future content. For example, the Mission 1 Summary states: “This module takes number sense and place value understanding from 2nd and 3rd grade a step further. Students start by noticing patterns when bundling and unbundling groups of 10s, 100s and 1,000s, and conclude by estimating and finding precise answers to addition and subtraction problems using the standard algorithm.”
- On the teacher home page for many Missions there is a box titled, "Foundational Digital Lessons.” This identifies what concepts from previous Topics and Lessons are connected to the current topic. For example, in Mission 3 students work on standards 4.OA.3, 4.NBT.1, 4.NBT.2, 4.NBT.3, and 4.NBT.4. Foundational Digital Lessons that prepare students for the work of grade 4 are identified as Grade 2 Mission 6 (G2M6), Grade 3 Mission 1 (G3M1), and Mission 3 (G3M3) which focus on standards 3.OA.8, 3.NBT.1, and 3.NBT.2.
- In early Missions, the Whole Group Fluency link identifies essential skills from previous grades on which the Topic builds. For example, in Mission 2, Whole Group Fluency, Topic A, Metric Unit Conversions, the teacher materials state the following: “In Topic A, students review place value concepts while building fluency with decomposing, or converting from larger to smaller units (4.MD.1). They learn the relative sizes of measurement units, building off prior knowledge of grams, and kilograms from Grade 3 (3.MD.2) and meters and centimeters from Grade 2 (2.MD.3).“
- Students have extensive work with practice problems. Students have daily fluency practice, guided practice, and independent practice when using the Independent Digital Lessons and when working in Teacher-Led Instruction with the teacher.
Overall, Lesson Summaries identify and explain connections between previous grade level, current grade level, and future content including the Lesson, Mission, and/or grade where the content appears.
Indicator 1F
The instructional materials reviewed for Zearn Grade 4 meet the expectations for fostering coherence through connections at a single grade.
Materials include learning objectives that are visibly shaped by CCSSM cluster headings.
- Mission 2, Topic A, Metric Unit Conversions, is visibly shaped by 4.MD.A: “Solve problems involving measurement and conversion of measurements from a larger unit to a smaller unit.”
- Mission 6, Decimal Fractions, is visibly shaped by 4.NF.C: “Understand decimal notation for fractions and compare decimal fractions.”
Materials include problems and activities that sometimes serve to connect two or more clusters in a domain or two or more domains where connections are natural and important.
- Mission 3, Multiply and Divide Big Numbers, connects 4.OA.A to 4.MD.A. Students use the four operations with whole numbers to solve problems, some of which are two-step word problems.
- Mission 5 identifies equivalent fractions (4.NF.A) as the focus of the mission. During this mission students apply their skills of comparing numbers greater than 1 by solving word problems (4.NF.B) and requiring the interpretation of data presented in line plots (4.MD.B). The Mission also connects fractions with 4.OA.C where students are observing patterns of the sums of odd and even denominators.
Overview of Gateway 2
Rigor & Mathematical Practices
The instructional materials for Zearn Grade 4 meet the expectation for aligning with the CCSS expectations for rigor and mathematical practices. The instructional materials attend to each of the three aspects of rigor individually, and they also attend to the balance among the three aspects. The instructional materials emphasize mathematical reasoning, but they do not always identify the Mathematical Practices or attend to the full meaning of each practice standard.
Gateway 2
v1.0
Criterion 2.1: Rigor
The instructional materials for Zearn Grade 4 meet the expectation for reflecting the balances in the Standards and helping students meet the Standards’ rigorous expectations, by helping students develop conceptual understanding, procedural skill and fluency, and application. The instructional materials develop conceptual understanding of key mathematical concepts, give attention throughout the year to procedural skill and fluency, spend sufficient time working with engaging applications, and do not always treat the three aspects of rigor together or separately.
Indicator 2A
The instructional materials reviewed for Zearn Grade 4 meet the expectation for developing conceptual understanding of key mathematical concepts, especially where called for in specific cluster headings, such as 4.NBT.A, 4.NBT.B, 4.NF.A, 4.NF.B, 4.NF.C, and 4.MD.C.
Place value concepts are expanded in Grade 4 to include fractions and decimals (4.NF.C), to generalize place value understanding for multi-digit numbers (4.NBT.A), and to use place value understanding and the properties of arithmetic to perform multi-digit arithmetic (4.NBT.B).
- In Mission 1, Teacher-Led Instruction, Small Group Lesson 2, students use a millions place value chart to understand the relationship of a digit in one place representing ten times what it represents to its right.
- Mission 3, Topic B develops conceptual models for multiplication by 10, 100 and 1,000.
- In Mission 6, Decimal Fractions, students extend place value understandings to numbers between 0 and 1, expanding the place value chart to tenths and hundredths and using their understanding of decimal place value to compare decimals. These concepts are further developed to addition with decimals and to understand money amounts as decimal values.
The use of multiple representations and understanding the similarities and differences between representations is used extensively throughout the instructional materials to help students build conceptual understanding.
- Missions 5 and 6 focus on clusters 4.NF.A and 4.NF.C. Tape diagrams, number bonds, concrete models, and number lines are used as models to demonstrate understanding of fractions. In Mission 5, Teacher-Led Instruction, Lesson 1, students use paper strips to decompose the whole into equal parts so as to demonstrate addition of fractions. The assessments for these missions include opportunities for students to shade, draw, or explain to justify their answers.
- Throughout the Grade 4 Missions and Lessons, students are frequently asked to draw and make conclusions based on their drawings.
- Assessments include opportunities for students to draw pictures, make models, and use place value. For example, the Mission 3, Teacher-Led Instruction Mid-Module Assessment Question 1 asks students to show understanding when multiplying and dividing multi-digit numbers by drawing pictures and using place value.
Overall, Lessons within Missions, whether Teacher-Led Instruction or Independent Digital Lessons, present opportunities for students to develop conceptual understanding of the mathematical concepts for the grade using place value, concrete models, and the properties of arithmetic.
Indicator 2B
The instructional materials reviewed for Grade 4 meet the expectation for giving attention throughout the year to individual standards that set an expectation of procedural skill and fluency.
Missions address procedural skill and fluency in both the Independent Digital Lessons, with Fluency activities titled Number Gym, Sprint, Blast, Totally Times, and Multiply Mania, and in Small Group Instruction, with Fluency activities for most lessons.
- In Mission 1, Teacher-Led Instruction Whole Group Fluency Lesson 12 (4.NBT.4), students practice rounding to the nearest ten thousand, thousand, hundred and ten place. They practice the standard addition algorithm with problems written vertically or horizontally or solved mentally. For example: 417 + 232 =_____. They repeat the process for finding sums for multi-digit numbers up to 1,000,000. For example: 23,944 + 6,056 + 159,368.
- In Mission 1, Independent Digital Lesson 12 Sum Sense, students practice solving word problems using the standard algorithm. During Blast students solve two-digit and one-digit addition problems (4.NBT.4).
Overall, Zearn includes time in every lesson during Independent Digital Lessons in Number Gyms and lesson-specific activities to build fluency. Most Teacher-Led Instruction lessons include a Whole Group Fluency Lesson, as well. These lessons are designed to complement one another, reinforcing student development of procedural skills and fluency.
Indicator 2C
The instructional materials reviewed for Grade 4 meet the expectation for being designed so that teachers and students spend sufficient time working with engaging applications of the mathematics, without losing focus on the major work of each grade.
During Teacher-Led Instruction in every Mission, there are Whole Group Word Problems (Application Problems) for most lessons. These Application Problems represent the Addition and Subtraction Situations described in Table 1 of the CCSSM, and the Multiplication and Division Situations described in Table 2 of the CCSSM.
Mission 5, Equivalent Fractions (4.NF.A) represents major work for the grade. The Application Problems in this mission are specifically designed as a bridge between deepening concept development on multiplication and division and applying their understanding to situations of equivalent fractions. For example, in Teacher-Led Instruction, Whole Group Word Problems Topic B: Fraction Equivalence Using Multiplication and Division, “Students begin to generalize their work with fraction equivalence.” The topic includes four lessons:
- Lesson 7: “Model an equivalent fraction for 4/7 using an area model.” The teacher note states, “This application problem reviews Lesson 6 and leads into today’s lesson as students find equivalent fractions using multiplication.”
- Lesson 8: “Saisha gives some of her chocolate bar, pictured below, to her younger brother Lucas. He says, 'Thanks for 3/12 of the bar.' Shaisha responds, 'No. I gave you ¼ of the bar.' Explain why both Lucas and Saisha are correct.” The teacher note states, “...Revisit this problem in the Student Debrief (of the Concept Development part of the lesson) by asking students to write the remaining portion as equivalent fractions.”
- Lesson 9: “What fraction of a foot is 1 inch? What fraction of a foot is 3 inches? (Hint: 12 inches = 1 foot.) Draw a tape diagram to model your work.” The teacher note states, “Students are asked to think about fractions within a context, such as measurement, that will be useful in upcoming word problems.”
- Lesson 10: "Nuri spent 9/12 of his money on a book and the rest of his money on a pencil. a.) Express how much of his money he spent on pencils in fourths. b.) Nuri started with $1. How much did he spend on the pencil? The teacher note states, “This Application Problem connects Topic A and Lesson 9 by finding the other fractional part of the whole and expressing equivalent fractions.”
Throughout Grade 4 students deepen their understanding of multiplication and division as they apply concepts to their developing understanding of fraction equivalence. The Application Problems link the four operations of arithmetic and the properties of arithmetic to major work of the grade.
Indicator 2D
The instructional materials reviewed for Grade 4 meet the expectation for balancing the three aspects of rigor. Overall, 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 Teacher-Led Instruction and Independent Digital Lessons.
In each Mission students develop procedural skills and fluency and conceptual understandings, and apply these to solve real-world problems.
- Fluency is embedded into every Lesson. Mission 5, Teacher-Led Instruction, Whole Group Fluency Lesson 2 builds on understandings from Grade 3 to help students recognize unit fractions. In Independent Digital Learning Blast, students practice division facts without remainders.
- Conceptual understanding is embedded into every Lesson. In Mission 5, Teacher-Led Instruction, Lesson 5, students use area models to show fraction equivalence. During Independent Digital Practice Tower of Power Lesson 5 students use the area model to show equivalence between ⅓ and 2/6. They complete equivalence sentences and addition sentences to show how the sum of two unit fractions in sixths equals one unit fraction in thirds.
- Application problems are embedded into every Lesson and often call for students to model their thinking and make connections to procedural skills. Mission 5, Teacher-Led Instruction, Whole Group Word Problems, Lesson 5 states: “A loaf of bread was cut into six equal slices. Each of the six slices was cut in half to make thinner slices for sandwiches. Mr. Beach used 4 slices. His daughter said, ‘Wow! You used 2/6 of the loaf!’ His son said, ‘No. He used 4/12.’ Work with a partner to explain who is correct using a tape diagram.”
Criterion 2.2: Math Practices
The instructional materials for Zearn Grade 4 partially meet the expectation for meaningfully connecting the Standards for Mathematical Content and the Standards for Mathematical Practice. Overall, the materials emphasize mathematical reasoning by prompting students to construct viable arguments and analyze the arguments of others, assisting teachers in engaging students in constructing viable arguments and analyzing the arguments of others, and attending to the specialized language of mathematics.
Indicator 2E
The instructional materials reviewed for Grade 4 partially meet the expectations for identifying the Math Practice Standards (MPs) and using them to enrich the mathematics content. The MPs are identified in the Teacher-Led Instruction Lessons and are not identified in the Independent Digital Lessons.
The Math Practices are identified in the teacher materials, titled "Small Group Lessons" and "Whole Group Word Problems," for each Mission.
- In Mission 6, Lesson 1, MP.2 is identified as students compose and decompose 1 kilogram, representing tenths in fraction form and decimal form. No guidance around MP.2 is included for the teacher in the Mission. However, some guidance on the MPs is provided in the EngageNY Modules. Module 6 lists MP.2, MP.4, MP.6, and MP.8 as Focus Standards for Mathematical Practice. The guidance for MP.2 states “Throughout this module, students use area models, tape diagrams, place value disks, and number lines to represent decimal quantities. When determining the equivalence of a decimal fraction and a decimal number, students consider the units that are involved and attend to the meaning of the quantities of each. Further, students use metric measurement and money amounts to build an understanding of the decomposition of a whole into tenths and hundredths.”
Indicator 2F
The Zearn Grade 4 instructional materials reviewed partially meet the expectation for carefully attending to the full meaning of each Math Practice Standard (MP). They do not treat each MP in a complete, accurate, and meaningful way. The lessons give teachers limited guidance on how to implement the MPs, and where identified, the materials sometimes attend to the full meaning of each MP.
On occasion, Math Practices attend to the full meaning. Examples include:
- MP.2: Mission 3 Lesson 26: Students reason about the number of hotel rooms in the problem.
- MP.4: Mission 3 Lesson 5: Students are encouraged to use any model to solve the problem. "Write an equation to solve for how many performers were at the concert. Solve using a method of your choice.".
- MP.6: Mission 6 Lesson 4: Students use precise language to talk about decimals and fractions.
- MP.7: Mission 5 Lesson 23: Students use the structure of multiplication of whole numbers to multiply a whole number by a fraction.
- MP.8: Mission 6 Lesson 5: Students use repeated reasoning to find equivalent fractions using division of tenths and hundredths.
More frequently, the materials do not attend to the full meaning of the Math Practices. Examples include:
- MP.2: Mission 5 Lesson 15: The teacher guides students step-by-step on creating equivalent fractions using drawings, instead of students doing the reasoning.
- MP.5: Mission 1 Lesson 6: Students are given place value charts to use instead of choosing an appropriate tool. In Mission 3 Lesson 18, students are told to use number bonds instead of choosing an appropriate tool. Mission 4 Lesson 2: Students are given a right angle tool to use instead of choosing an appropriate tool.
- MP.6: Mission 1 Lesson 1: Students count ones with the teacher and make those into a ten, which is not the full intent of attending to precision. In Mission 1 Lesson 13 the teacher tells the students to decompose numbers and use place value disks to show the change. Students are not attending to precision.
- MP.8: Mission 3 Lesson 38: The teacher tells the students to use partial products to solve the problem, preventing students from making use of repeated reasoning.
Indicator 2G
Indicator 2G.i
The instructional materials reviewed for Zearn Grade 4 meet the expectations for prompting students to construct viable arguments and analyze the arguments of others. The students’ materials in the Teacher-Led Lessons, Whole Group Word Problems, Optional Problem Sets, and Assessments provide opportunities throughout the year for students to both construct viable arguments and analyze the arguments of others. The students’ materials sometimes prompt students to construct viable arguments and include some opportunities for students to analyze the arguments of others.
Students are asked daily to explain their thinking while completing application problems. MP.3 is identified through Whole Group Word Problems, Whole Group Fluency, and Assessment. Examples of opportunities to analyze the arguments of others:
- Mission 3, Teacher-Led Instruction Optional Problem Set, Lesson 22, Question 3: “Bryan says all prime numbers are odd numbers. List all of the prime numbers less than 20 in numerical order. Use your list to show that Bryan’s claim is false.”
- Mission 5, Teacher-Led Instruction Lesson 18: Students analyze the work of another student when adding or subtracting three fractions with the same denominator. Students offer different methods for completing the problems.
- Mission 7, End-of-Module Assessment, Question 6 Part d: “Jacob says that he can find the number of inches in 15 yards by tripling the number of inches in 5 yards. Does his strategy work? Why or why not?”
Examples of opportunities to construct viable arguments:
- In Mission 2, End-of-Module Assessment, Question 4 Part c, students explain their thinking as they determine a person’s weight in grams, before the person started training for a half marathon.
- In Mission 3, Teacher-Led Instruction, Optional Homework, Lesson 2, Question 4 Part f, students explain how to construct an argument, using words, pictures, or numbers when comparing how the perimeter changed with how the area changed (between two rugs).
- In Mission 4, Mid-Module Assessment, Question 3, students create a picture from 6 prompts using a protractor and straightedge, and they construct an argument for which lines are parallel in their drawing.
- In Mission 7, Teacher-Led Instruction, Optional Problem Set, Lesson 3, Question 5, students construct an argument for how they converted 23 hours and 5 minutes to minutes.
Indicator 2G.ii
The Zearn Grade 4 materials meet the expectations for assisting teachers in engaging students in constructing viable arguments and analyzing the arguments of others concerning key grade-level mathematics detailed in the content standards. Overall, there is guidance for teachers on how to lead student discussions in which students construct their own viable arguments and analyze the arguments of others.
The Teacher-Led Instruction Small Group Lessons provide opportunities for teachers to discuss the mathematics with their students and for students to discuss the mathematics with each other, as directed by the teacher. For example:
- In Mission 1, Teacher-Led Instruction, Small Group, Lesson 4, Problem 4, teachers write an incorrect number on the board based on a number written in expanded form, and after students write the number in a place-value chart, the teacher directs the students to compare their number with hers.
- In Mission 7, Teacher-Led Instruction, Small Group, Lesson 5, Problem 2, teachers give a form for critiquing work to student pairs and tell the students, “Work with a partner to complete the Problem Set. When you are finished solving and creating a word problem to go along with each diagram, turn to your partner and share. Use the peer share and critique form to take notes about your work and your partner’s work.”
- In Mission 7, Teacher-Led Instruction, Small Group, Lesson 8, Problem 1, each of three students presents a different way to solve a problem involving addition of weights in pounds and ounces, and the teacher directs other students to question the presenting students in order to understand each of the solution strategies.
Indicator 2G.iii
The instructional materials reviewed for Zearn Grade 4 meet the expectations for explicitly attending to the specialized language of mathematics. Overall, the materials for both students and teachers have multiple ways for students to engage with the vocabulary of mathematics that is present throughout.
The instructional materials provide instruction on how to communicate mathematical thinking using words, diagrams, and symbols. Students have opportunities to explain their thinking while using mathematical terminology, graphics, and symbols to justify their answers in Teacher-Led Instruction and Independent Digital Lessons.
- Vocabulary is used directly in the Teacher-Led Instruction Small Group Lessons and then reinforced in the Whole Group Word Problems. Teachers, when applicable, model the vocabulary. For example, Mission 6, Teacher-Led Instruction, Whole Group Word Problems, Lesson 5 states, “The Application Problem reviews solving for an unknown side length (Module 4) and metric conversions (Module 2). Division of decimals is a Grade 5 standard, so instead, students might convert to centimeters (as in Solution A), use their fraction knowledge to decompose 48 hundredths into 4 equal parts (as in Solution B), or simply think in unit form, i.e., 48 hundredths ÷ 4 = 12 hundredths.”
- Vocabulary is sometimes explicitly taught during the Guided Practice part of the Independent Digital Lessons. Vocabulary words are in bold and explained and are followed up by models or examples. For example, Mission 4, Independent Digital, Lesson 3 Math Chat introduces students to the term, perpendicular lines, and has students complete several examples identifying lines or line segments that are perpendicular and ones that are not perpendicular.
- Students are expected to use correct mathematics vocabulary as they Read, Draw, and Write for Whole Group Word Problems. For example, in Mission 1, Teacher-Led Instruction, Whole Group Word Problems, Lesson 5, students must use correct terminology and representations as they create numbers that meet given criteria using a place-value chart.
Overview of Gateway 3
Usability
Criterion 3.1: Use & Design
The instructional materials for Zearn Grade 4 meet the expectations for being well designed and taking into account effective lesson structure and pacing. The instructional materials distinguish between problems and exercises, have exercises that are given in intentional sequences, have a variety in what students are asked to produce, and include manipulatives that are faithful representations of the mathematical objects they represent.
Indicator 3A
The instructional materials for Zearn Grade 4 meet the expectation of the underlying design of the materials to distinguish between problems and exercises.
Every lesson includes problems and exercises.
- Problems are included in Teacher-Led Instruction during Small Group Lessons and Whole Group Word Problems.
- Exercises are built into the Teacher-Led Instruction during Whole Group Fluency and Assessment, which can be found in most lessons.
- Independent Digital Lessons include a variety of activities for students to engage with exercises. During Number Gym students solve exercises to build fluency.
- Optional Homework consists of problems and exercises, depending on the content of the mission and/or lesson.
Indicator 3B
The instructional materials for Zearn Grade 4 meet the expectation the design of the assignments is not haphazard, and the exercises are given in intentional sequences.
- The sequence of topics within each mission is intentional, going from working with a variety of concrete and pictorial representations to more abstract work with numbers and computation.
- Progressions are clear, as in focusing on tenths and hundredths before extending to other places in decimal notation.
- Concepts are developed in Teacher-Led Instruction. These may be extended into Independent Digital Lessons.
Indicator 3C
The instructional materials for Zearn Grade 4 meet the expectation that there is a variety in what students are asked to produce. Students are asked to produce a variety of products in digital and written form.
Students are asked to demonstrate:
- Multiple representations through models, arrays, number lines, equations, etc.;
- Justification of their thinking on Optional Problem Sets and Assessments;
- Completion of timed fluency activities in Teacher-Led Instruction Whole Group Fluency and Independent Digital Lessons;
- During Independent Digital Lessons students solve problems using virtual manipulatives.
For example, in Mission 1, Teacher-Led Instruction Lesson 8, students describe and explain why their solutions demonstrate their understanding, using words, pictures, or vertical number lines. The Independent Digital Lesson 8 also encourages students to engage with material to use manipulatives and drawing.
Indicator 3D
The instructional materials for Zearn Grade 4 meet the expectation that manipulatives are faithful representations of the mathematical objects they represent and are appropriately connected to written methods. Manipulatives are embedded in Independent Digital Lessons and Teacher-Led Instruction to represent mathematical ideas and build conceptual understanding. Examples include place value disks, Unifix cubes, and craft sticks. They are often connected to written representations.
For example, in Mission 3, Independent Digital Lesson 1, students draw a rectangle 4 units wide and 7 units long on a virtual whiteboard with a graph paper overlay. The students take notes and draw a model in the virtual student workbook.
Indicator 3E
The visual design of Zearn Grade 4 materials is not distracting for students. Students are asked to thoughtfully engage with the material in a variety of ways. The font size, graphics, amount of directions, and language used on student pages and in Independent Digital Lessons is appropriate for students in Grade 4.
For every mission, teachers can access on the home page links to Teacher-Led Instruction and the Independent Digital Lessons. However, while the home page provides access to all activities, teachers need to open multiple tabs and pdfs to view a mission or lesson in its entirety. In addition, Independent Digital Lessons and Whole Group Fluency in Teacher-Led Instruction are not available for every lesson, and there is no explanation as to why.
Criterion 3.2: Teacher Planning
The instructional materials for Zearn Grade 4 partially meet the expectations for supporting teacher learning and understanding of the Standards. The instructional materials support planning and providing learning experiences with quality questions and contain ample and useful notations and suggestions on how to present the content. The materials partially include a teacher’s resource that contains adult-level explanations and examples of the more advanced mathematics concepts in the lessons and partially contain explanations of the grade-level mathematics in the context of the overall mathematics curriculum.
Indicator 3F
The instructional materials for Zearn Grade 4 meet the expectation of supporting teachers in planning and providing effective learning experiences through quality questions.
The teacher notes within the Teacher-Led Instruction Small Group Lessons provide teachers with guiding questions to elicit student understanding and discourse to allow student thinking to be visible. Discussion questions provide a context for students to communicate generalizations and patterns and to draw conclusions. Debriefing Questions are located at the end of each lesson that provide teachers with quality questions that check for the students' understanding of concepts.
In some lessons, questions are sequenced in such a way as to build student understanding of the mathematics. For example:
- In Mission 1, Teacher-Led Instruction, Lesson 2, teachers are prompted to ask questions such as:
- “(Write 2 thousands ÷ 10.) What is the process for solving this division expression?”
- “What would our place-value chart look like if we changed each thousand for 10 smaller units?”
- In Mission 6, Teacher-Led Instruction, Lesson 5 Problem 3, teachers are prompted to ask questions such as:
- “How many hundredths are there?"
- “Can we make a tenth? Talk to your partner.”
- “Circle ten hundredths to show one tenth. What is represented now?"
Indicator 3G
The instructional materials for ZearnGrade 4 partially meet the expectation of materials containing a teacher’s edition with annotations and suggestions on how to present the content in the student material.
The teacher materials are found in links within Teacher-Led Instruction and include Whole Group Fluency, Small Group Lessons, and Whole Group Word Problems. Guidance is provided to teachers on multiple means of engagement, representation, action/expression, and vocabulary support. On the home page for each Mission, there is a link to the entire Engage NY program upon which Zearn is based. This is where teachers can find additional information on how to use the materials.
Digital materials are a significant part of the learning in Zearn. The Independent Digital Lessons are student-facing lessons aligned to the Teacher-Led Instruction with an emphasis on mastering fluency and providing different representations of the concepts. The Lessons are comprised of four components: fluency, guided practice, independent practice, and bonus (in applicable lessons).
The Help Tab on the home page contains an “Implementation Resources” tab that provides help for instruction. The Implementation Resources section contains a “Getting Started Checklist,” “Zearn Recommended Schedule,” and “Classroom Anchor Charts.” These resources explain how to use the digital and print materials together.
Indicator 3H
The instructional materials for Zearn Grade 4 partially meet the expectation that the materials include a teacher’s resource that contains adult-level explanations and examples of the more advanced mathematics concepts in the lessons.
Notes are included on pages which help teachers consider how to engage a range of learners; however, the teacher materials do not provide explanations of the mathematical concepts within the lessons. Examples of the mathematics are not provided in adult language within the lessons.
Teachers looking for adult-level explanations and examples can access and download the grade level “Missions and Standards Overview.” There is no link to the Missions and Standards Overview while in the Small Group Lessons for teachers to find explanations.
Indicator 3I
The instructional materials for Zearn Grade 4 partially meet the expectation of containing teacher resources that explain the role of the grade or the course over multiple grades. Some notes within the Small Group Lessons, as well as the Missions & Standards Overview, provide connections between prior learning, within, and between grades.
There is a curriculum map for the course that can be found in the Help Center within the Curriculum Overview section.
Indicator 3J
The Missions and Standards Overview lists the number of Lessons and weeks per Mission. It also states which Missions address each grade-level standard. There is no pacing guide that describes which standards are addressed in each Lesson.
Guidance on the instructional time for lessons can be found within the Recommended Weekly Schedule section of the “Zearn Math’s Teaching & Learning Approach” document.
There is a curriculum map for the course that can be found in the Help Center within the Curriculum Overview section. This curriculum map shows each Mission’s recommended number of instructional weeks.
Indicator 3K
There is a parent letter (provided in English, Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese and French) that introduces the program, provides website information, and suggest to parents that they watch the orientation video, and explain the ways parents/caregivers can support students in mathematics, including questions to ask students about their daily math learning. The letter also provides the student username and password. There is a help button that gives information regarding the program and how it works.
Indicator 3L
The Zearn materials offer an explanation of the instructional approaches of the program within “Zearn Math’s Teaching & Learning Approach” document. “The Vision of Zearn Math” explains the program’s approach of “Numeracy for All” and “Learning Pillars.” The Learning Pillars are listed as: "Struggle and support," "Touch and see the math," "Math is a few big ideas," and "Reasoning and sharing." Each Learning Pillar has an explanation as to its meaning within the program.
While the CCSS are listed for each Mission and the MPs are included in the Lessons, there is very little explanation to students or teachers regarding the importance of the identification of the MPs.
An assessment philosophy can be found within the “Zearn Math’s Teaching & Learning Approach” document under “Approach to Assessment.” A "Progression Toward Mastery" is included for each group of Assessments within a Mission. The rubric identifies the criteria and indicators students need to meet as they progress towards Step 4 mastery.
Criterion 3.3: Assessment
The instructional materials for Zearn Grade 4 meet the expectations for offering teachers resources and tools to collect ongoing data about student progress on the standards. The materials provide opportunities for ongoing review and practice with feedback and offer ongoing formative and summative assessments. The instructional materials provide some strategies for gathering information about students’ prior knowledge, but not for identifying and addressing common student errors and misconceptions.
Indicator 3M
The instructional materials for Zearn Grade 4 partially meet the expectation that materials provide strategies for gathering information about students' prior knowledge within and across grade levels.
In Small Group Lessons the materials note where the content is building on from prior knowledge, whether it be within the grade or from previous grades. This information, as well as regular reports from Independent Digital Lessons, can be utilized as students begin the program and progress toward mastery for each Mission. Informal observation is included in the teacher notes for a lesson and is also used to gather information regarding a student’s prior knowledge. During Small Group Lessons students are regularly asked to comment and share with each other and the whole group by responding to question prompts from the teacher. Information from the daily Exit Tickets that students complete give the teacher an opportunity to check for prior knowledge, review, and provide feedback.
"Independent Digital Lessons include embedded remediation throughout that address gaps in knowledge from both the current and prior grade levels; all students begin on the first Mission of their grade and progress through their grade level sequence at their own pace.", according to page 6 of Zearn Math's Teaching and Learning Approach.
Indicator 3N
The instructional materials for Zearn Grade 4 partially meet the expectation that materials provide strategies for teachers to identify and address common student errors and misconceptions.
The Independent Digital Lessons print reports on students’ progress, but they do not provide strategies for teachers to utilize regarding errors and misconceptions. Small Group Lessons include guidance for teachers on specific errors or misconceptions that may arise. Teacher notes include language students may not use correctly as well as areas where the mathematics may be challenging. For example, Mission 6, Teacher-Led Instruction, Lesson 10 states: “The sequence above engages students with practice that addresses common misconceptions and becomes increasingly more complex. For instance, the sequence opens with two examples that have the same number of digits and simply requires students to attend to the value of each place. … Students may choose to model the numbers, convert into common units, or rewrite in the same form.”
Indicator 3O
The instructional materials for Zearn Grade 4 meet expectations for ongoing review and practice, with feedback, for students in learning both concepts and skills.
The materials provide many opportunities for review and practice. Teacher-Led Instruction and Independent Digital Lessons include:
- A fluency section to practice and review what has been learned.
- Guided instruction for students to practice new concepts or skills.
The Independent Digital Lessons provide instant feedback to students if they get a problem right or wrong. When a student misses a problem they are given a second chance to get the problem correct. If their second attempt is still wrong, the answer is provided to the student. Students also have a digital notebook which is reviewed by teachers.
In Teacher-Led Instruction, students work with partners to share feedback regarding the instruction for the day.
Indicator 3P
Indicator 3P.i
The materials reviewed for Zearn Grade 4 meet the expectation of assessments clearly denoting standards that are being emphasized. Summative assessments are offered in the middle and at the end of each Mission. Each assessment is followed by a rubric indicating the standards assessed and the progressive indicators for mastery.
For Independent Digital Lessons, formative assessments are offered throughout the online lessons, with reports sent to the classroom teacher on each student’s progress towards mastering the standards.
Indicator 3P.ii
The materials reviewed for Zearn Grade 4 meet the expectation of assessments including aligned rubrics and scoring guidelines that provide sufficient guidance to teachers for interpreting student performance and suggestions for follow-up. Each assessment includes a 4-step rubric indicating the standards assessed and the criteria and indicators for mastery. A Progression Toward Mastery is provided to describe steps that illuminate the gradually increasing understandings that students develop on their way to proficiency. This rubric provides a 4-step process that goes from 1, which shows “little evidence of reasoning without a correct answer,” to a 4, which is “evidence of solid reasoning with a correct answer.” The assessment also includes exemplars of student work.
Although there are no rubrics for activities in the Independent Digital Lessons, the teacher can access information on the digital component of the system at any time. In addition, an alert is triggered when a student struggles repeatedly on the same concept.
Indicator 3Q
The student workbook provides pages called, "Weekly Goal Tracker" and "Lesson Progress Checklist." The Weekly Goal Tracker encourages the students to set goals to earn lesson badges. The Lesson Progress Checklist helps students keep track of each lesson’s tasks.
Criterion 3.4: Differentiation
The instructional materials for Zearn Grade 4 meet the expectations for supporting teachers in differentiating instruction for diverse learners within and across grades. The instructional materials provide a balanced portrayal of various demographic and personal characteristics and strategies to help teachers sequence and scaffold lessons. The instructional materials consistently provide: strategies for meeting the needs of a range of learners; support, accommodations, and modifications for English Language Learners and other special populations; and opportunities for advanced students to investigate mathematics content at greater depth.
Indicator 3R
The instructional materials for Zearn Grade 4 meet the expectations for this indicator by including strategies to help teachers sequence and scaffold lessons.
- There is guidance provided in the Curriculum Map to clarify the intended sequence of materials to teachers. The Curriculum Map can be downloaded from the Curriculum Overview.
- A weekly schedule provides suggestions for teachers on how to best modify the sequence of lessons to make the content accessible to all learners. The “Recommended Weekly Schedule,” located on page 18 of Zearn Math’s Teaching & Learning Approach, recommends a flex day for day 5 with suggestions on how to adjust groups and instruction based on the needs of the students.
- There are notes in the Teacher-Led Instruction sections of Whole Group Fluency, Small Group Lessons, and Whole Group Word Problems that provide strategies for the teacher to scaffold the content for all learners.
Indicator 3S
The materials reviewed for Grade 4 meet the expectations for this indicator by including strategies for meeting the needs of a range of learners.
- The notes in the margin for the Universal Design for Learning Framework suggest ways to support students in engagement, representations, and action and expression of the content. These adaptations support a wide range of learners and help teachers make materials accessible.
- There is a general list of strategies labeled, “Special Cases of Differentiation” in the “Zearn Math’s Teaching & Learning Approach” document. The strategies listed for struggling students on page 22 include, Whole Group Supports, Small Group Supports, and Independent Digital Lesson Supports. Strategies include: “During Whole Group Word Problem, adjust the difficulty of the problem by offering different number choices or context.”, "Small Group Supports, Allow students to work with concrete manipulatives to model and explain thinking", "Independent Digital Lesson Supports, Ensure students are familiar with the video player in Independent Digital Lesson that can be paused and rewound so students can view the video again.".
- There are notes in the Teacher-Led Instruction sections of Whole Group Fluency, Small Group Lessons, and Whole Group Word Problems that provide strategies for the teacher in meeting the needs of a range of learners.
Indicator 3T
The instructional materials for Zearn Grade 4 partially meet the expectations for providing tasks with multiple entry points that can be solved in a variety of ways.
- There are limited opportunities for students to engage with tasks that provide multiple entry points.
- Whole Group Word Problems, Optional Problem Sets, and Optional Homework are included in almost all Teacher-Led Instruction Lessons. Students can choose their own solution strategy and/or representation to solve these problems.
- The Independent Digital Lessons predominantly focus on using strategies and skills with one entry point to find a solution.
- In Guided Practice, students engage in interactive lessons that present a specific approach or strategy.
- In Independent Practice students have an opportunity to use information presented in the Guided Practice.
Indicator 3U
The instructional materials for Zearn Grade 4 meet the expectations for this indicator by including support for the English language learner (ELL) and other special populations in order for them to actively participate in learning mathematics.
Within Small Group Lessons, there are notes on Multiple Means of Engagement, Representation and/or Action/Expression that provide timely and direct suggestions for meeting the needs of ELL and special population students. Notes include sentence starters, physical responses, and vocabulary support.
There is a general list of strategies labeled, “Special Cases of Differentiation” in the “Zearn Math’s Teaching & Learning Approach” document. Guidance is provided in the following categories: Whole Group Supports, Small Group Supports, and Independent Digital Lesson Supports. The strategies listed for English Language Learners on page 19 include, “Provide frequent checks for understanding and encourage direct feedback from peers.”, “Allow students to work with concrete manipulatives to model and explain their thinking.”, "Seat students so ELLs work with a variety of learners.", "Ensure students are familiar with the audio buttons in each Independent Digital Lesson that can read text aloud to students.".
Indicator 3V
The instructional materials for Zearn Grade 4 meet the expectations of providing opportunities for advanced students to investigate mathematics content at greater depth.
- In Teacher-Led Instruction, some Whole Group Word Problems include extensions.
- In Small Group Lessons, Notes on specific problems to use, Multiple Means of Engagement, Representation and/or Action/Expression, sometimes give teachers suggestions about meeting the needs of advanced students.
- Digital Bonuses are provided in some Missions as Enrichment for students who have met their weekly goals.
- There is a general list of strategies labeled, “Special Cases of Differentiation” in the “Zearn Math’s Teaching & Learning Approach” document. Guidance is provided in the following categories: Whole Group Opportunities, Small Group Opportunities, and Independent Digital Lesson Opportunities. The strategies listed for Enrichment on page 21 include, "Encourage students to solve problems in more than one way or understand someone else's reasoning.", "Adjust the difficulty of problems by changing the numbers or the context.", and "Encourage students to progress beyond the recommended four Independent Digital Lessons each week; students could progress deeper in on-grade level content or complete all previous Independent Digital Lessons in prior grades through their My Stuff page.".
Indicator 3W
The instructional materials for Zearn Grade 4 meet the expectations for this indicator by providing a balanced portrayal of various demographic and personal characteristics.
- The names and situations in the story problems represent a variety of cultural groups.
- The Teacher-Led Instruction, Whole Group Word Problems include real-world situations that would appeal to a variety of cultural and gender groups.
- There is a balanced approach to the use of gender identification.
- The Independent Digital Lessons represent a variety of cultural groups
Indicator 3X
The instructional materials for Zearn Grade 4 include a variety of grouping strategies.
- Teacher-Led Instruction, Small Group Lessons include Notes that present teachers with a variety of options for whole-group, small-group, partner, and/or individual work.
- The Independent Digital Lessons focus on independent work.
Indicator 3Y
The instructional materials for Zearn Grade 4 encourage teachers to make home-language connections and cultural ties to facilitate learning.
- There are occasions during Teacher-Led Instruction Lessons where students are encouraged to make connections to words in their home languages (mostly with Spanish).
- A parent letter exists for introducing parents to Zearn; this letter can be accessed in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Chinese.
Criterion 3.5: Technology
The instructional materials for Zearn Grade 4 integrate technology in ways that engage students in the Mathematical Practices. The digital materials are web-based and compatible with multiple internet browsers and include opportunities to assess student mathematical understandings and knowledge of procedural skills. The digital materials include some opportunities for teachers to personalize learning for all students, but the materials cannot be easily customized for local use. The instructional materials do include opportunities for teachers and/or students to collaborate with each other.
Indicator 3AA
The digital materials are web-based and compatible with multiple internet browsers, including Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Explorer. They are platform neutral and can be accessed on tablets and mobile devices, such as iPad and Microsoft Surface. Teacher materials are available with a log-in through Zearn’s website.
Indicator 3AB
Materials include opportunities to assess student mathematical understandings and knowledge of procedural skills using technology. Students are given fluency problems in Independent Digital Lesson Sprints, Number Gyms, and Blasts, and a report is sent to the teacher when a student misses 2 or more problems. If a student misses a problem during Independent Practice Tower of Power, re-teaching to help with the error will pop up on the screen. Then, the student will be given another opportunity. If the student is not able to solve the problem correctly, this information is also reported to the teacher.
Indicator 3AC
Digital materials include some opportunities for teachers to personalize learning for all students. Teachers can assign any Independent Digital Lesson from any Mission to individual students.
Materials cannot be easily customized for local use. The sequence of the materials can be customized, but the content in the Independent Digital Lessons and Teacher-Led Instruction cannot be customized other than by omitting pieces of either section.
Indicator 3AD
Materials include opportunities for teachers and/or students to collaborate with each other.
Teachers can access “The Zearn Community” to engage with other educators. The Zearn Community section within the Implementation Resources tab, states, “The Zearn Community: In Fall 2017, Zearn is launching a professional learning community on Facebook where you can connect, collaborate, ask questions, and share ideas with other educators teaching with Zearn. This community is led by Teacher Leaders that have experience with Zearn. Check back in the fall for simple instructions on how to join the Zearn Community!”
Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest accounts exist for Zearn.
Indicator 3Z
Materials integrate technology such as interactive tools, virtual manipulatives/objects, and/or dynamic mathematics software in ways that engage students in the Mathematical Practices.
Students have access to virtual number lines, geoboards, arrays, number pieces, number racks, and number frames in the Independent Digital Lessons. MPs are developed in Teacher-Led Instruction with concrete tools and resources, and students use digital tools and resources as they work through the Independent Digital Lessons. The digital components of the program can be accessed at school and home.