Investigations Math Series

I want to TEACH · #1 07-06-2007, 01:27 PM

Is anyone else using this math series??

noreenk · #2 07-06-2007, 01:40 PM

my school district has it... we use it in collaboration with Math in My World since it skips a lot of basics like money, time, operations, etc. my teammates and i find some of the books quite good, but we tend to skip over or condense a lot of the activities.

MissFroggy · #3 07-06-2007, 02:26 PM

I use them, but I add a lot to each unit, and my kids have "independent" math each Friday where they work on skils, algorithms, etc. at their level.

I just asked for a sample of the newest edition. It is supposed to have a lot of new information and practice with the things missing from the series.

I love the investigations. They are hands on, creative and fun. I really like the curriculum a lot, but you should find a way to get in the basic facts and teach the algorithm for regrouping especially. My kids are great problem solvers because of this curriculum. They really understand and can manipulate the number system to solve problems.

hawkteacher · #4 07-06-2007, 02:54 PM

I used it during student teaching and actually liked it. The kids were engaged and learning. Investigations really emphasizes multiple ways to solve/look at problems instead of just one "right" answer.

I agree with the other posters though that you may need to supplement with a little basic math.

czacza · #5 07-06-2007, 04:45 PM

There is a lot of controversy right now with this series:
http://www.nychold.com/let-combier-020124.html

halpey1 · #6 07-06-2007, 04:51 PM

I have used Investigations in the past and now my district has switched to Everyday Math - as someone who has used both, I have to say I prefer Everyday Math. Investigations is ok, but I feel like it leaves out a lot of the skill and drill that young learners really need...

You MUST supplement it quite a bit to get them practicing addition/subtraction facts - there is none of that in the program... another big deficiency (I have only used the 2nd grade program) was the lack of a detailed unit/lesson on telling time. I had to create this and teach it all on my own.

hawkteacher · #7 07-06-2007, 06:46 PM

Ah, yes. The controversy over division. When we started the unit, we did not allow students to use the long division algorithm because we wanted them to actually understand the math first instead of learning "steps."

They were all itching to get to do "long division" though. I remember that age and I loved it too. Once students could prove they understood the process, by writing out the steps, we officially taught "long division" and allowed those students who could prove they understood the process use it.

We decided to do what was best for our students instead of strictly following the unit. We didn't have any problems with students or parents. Everyone seemed to appreciate that we were teaching students to understand the process of division as well as giving them more practical real-world tools.

We found something that worked for us, but I can definitely understand the controversy if districts/teachers are unwilling to deviate from the program at all. It's definitely not perfect.