uMathx

UMath X (formerly known as "Understanding Math") has now been launched in Grand Erie. To get to the new website, CLICK HERE. If you're new to UMath X, try going through the Level 100 Workbook to help get acquainted with the program.

For information about UMath X logins for you and your students, please email:
 * Chris Bates at christopher.bates@granderie.ca - access for all Secondary Math teachers
 * Norma Bingham norma.bingham@granderie.ca - access for all Grade 7 & 8 teachers

Each and everyday teachers face classrooms with students who have a wide range of ability levels in mathematics, diverse learning styles, a broad range of literacy skills, and a lack of intrinsic motivation. Resources are needed that support the instructional needs of teachers and address these challenges in the classroom. The UMathX programs are an excellent resource to help teachers deliver mathematics instruction to reach students of all ability levels. These programs can be implemented using highly effective instructional strategies in a different learning environments (e.g. whole class, small group, computer lab, etc.) The UMathX programs give students the ability to scaffold their understanding of math concepts from the introductory level to their abstract application. In addition, students are able to explore math concepts using a variety of conceptual models with different solutions to problems. The UMathX  Series of programs were developed using the following key design principles:
 * Mathematics concepts must be developed from the concrete to the abstract
 * Concepts need to be developed using a variety of presentations for all learning styles
 * The software must be highly interactive to engage all learners
 * Mistakes are opportunities to learn and build confidence

** How Do I Implement Understanding Math? ** The UMathX programs are an excellent resource to help teachers deliver mathematics instruction in different instructional settings (e.g. whole class, small Netbook groups, computer lab, etc.) using a variety of representations. The programs give students the ability explore math concepts from the introductory level, using concrete and pictorial models, to their abstract application. Student centered exploration of math concepts encourages students to take ownership of their learning because the investigation is connected to a meaningful problem. To access a Starting Guide Video Tutorial go to: @http://www.neufeldlearning.com/content/umath-x-navigation-tutorial

** Instructional Strategies ** i. Whole Class Instruction (teacher computer and digital projector)

ii. Small Group Instruction (pod of netbooks) In this configuration teachers should consider the ratio of students to a single netbook. Two or three students to one netbook encourages the social aspects of learning; rich accountable math-talk, testing conjectures, sharing ideas and/or solutions, taking risks, etc. This configuration is ideal for experimenting with mixed or homogenous ability groups organized using either mathematics or literacy capabilities.

iii. Differentiating Instruction (pod of netbooks) This configuration is identical to small group instruction but each group of students is working at different conceptual levels (e.g. concrete, pictorial, or abstract) depending on their learning needs. Prior test data, completed assignments, and teacher observations are used to inform instruction. Groups in this configuration are more likely to be homogenous in their ability levels.

** Resources ** The resources for The UMathX Series of programs found at www.neufeldlearning.com are for both teacher lesson planning and student activities (no login required).

These are ready-made 3-part math lessons that include the use of UMath X within the lesson. "Frameworks for Learning" were created by Neufeld Learning Systems to show you how UMath X is intended to function as another tool in your repertoire of math teacher tools. Visit @http://www.neufeldlearning.com/ for access the the Frameworks.
 * Frameworks for Learning: **

** Planning: **
The most critical aspect of implementing any type of mathematics resource is knowing when and how to use it. The correlations between Understanding Math and the provincial math standards for specific grades can be found at @http://www.neufeldlearning.com/all-correlations. Knowing both grade level and a lesson’s objective (expectation) will lead teachers to the exact lessons in the program that support teaching of the specific objective.

** Support Sheets: **
There are Support Sheets (Black Line Masters) for each Topic in Understanding Math 2008, GEDSB’s current version @http://www.neufeldlearning.com/supportsheets. The Support Sheets contain activities for both //on-computer// and //off-computer// activities. The sheets are in PDF format but questions can be copied and pasted into a Word document. They are also ideal for math centres and/or as “proof of performance” activities for student portfolios.

** Word Banks: **
Literacy and numeracy go hand-in-hand. It goes without saying that the deep conceptual understanding of mathematics is developed through the consistent use of literacy skills; reading, writing and talking about math. Word Banks have been developed for each Topic in UMathX @http://www.neufeldlearning.com/wordbanks. The files are available in PDF and Word format. The Word Banks have been organized into 2 columns; “Words Students Input” and “Words For Your Word Wall”.

The “Words Student Input” column contains all the words that a student would have to spell correctly in the program. The words are arranged in random order so that students still have to select the correct word. This is a good resource for ESL students and those students would have difficulty spelling correctly.

The “Words For Your Word Wall” column lists the words that students should have in their vocabulary bank and/or will know by the end of a mathematics unit. The list of words can be easily converted into a word wall list, here’s how: Open the preferred Word document from the Word Bank. Highlight all the words in the right hand column titled, “Words For Your Word Wall”. Click on  in the Word task bar and select . Change the font size to 75 pt font then print the document. The printed words will be approximately 2.5 cm (1 inch) tall. One hundred and fifty point font will yield 5 cm (2 inch) inch tall letters. The words can then be cut out and assembled to create a Word Wall.

** Technical Support: **
Our Technical Support department can be reached Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm EST through our Toll Free number (1.866.429.6284 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1.866.429.6284 end_of_the_skype_highlighting  ). Technical questions or reports of any bugs in UMath X can be emailed to support@neufeldmath.com. Instructional or curriculum questions related to Understanding Math can be emailed to Josh Neufeld at jneufeld81@neufeldmath.com.