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Program Foundations
Crafted by a pair of experts in early childhood mathematics, Building Blocks® PreK Math is proven to nurture mathematical growth and bolster achievement. Learning trajectories and the natural developmental pathways at their foundation serve as a launchpad for learning—catapulting young learners through the layers of understanding they need to form an essential set of math skills.
Pedagogy
Harness Powerful Learning Trajectories
Children follow natural developmental progressions in learning—a powerful phenomenon which can be applied on their journeys to becoming strong mathematicians. These developmental paths are the basis for Building Blocks PreK Math learning trajectories.
Learning trajectories have three parts:
A mathematical goal
A developmental path through which children progress to reach that goal
A set of activities matched to each level that helps children reach the next level
Thus, each learning trajectory has levels of understanding, each more sophisticated than the last, with a sequence of research-based tasks that promote growth from one level to the next.
When teachers leverage learning trajectories, they're better able to help children learn at an appropriate and deep level. Building Blocks PreK Math learning trajectories give simple levels, descriptions, and examples of each level, while complete learning trajectories describe the goals of learning, the thinking and learning processes of children at various levels, and the learning activities in which they might engage. Ultimately, these levels equip teachers and curriculum developers to assess, teach, and sequence activities efficiently and effectively.
Building Blocks PreK Math Authors
Dr. Douglas Clements
Dr. Douglas Clements, Distinguished University Professor and Kennedy Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Learning at the University of Denver, is widely regarded as a major scholar in the field of early childhood mathematics education, with equal relevance to the academy, to the classroom, and to the educational policy arena. At the national level, his contributions have led to the development of new mathematics curricula, teaching approaches, teacher training initiatives, and models of scaling up interventions. His contributions have also had a tremendous impact on educational planning and policy, particularly in the area of mathematical literacy and access. Dr. Clements has served on seven national research committees for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering (NASEM, including NRC and IOM), as well as on the President’s National Mathematics Advisory Panel and the Common Core State Standards committee (NGA, CCSSO) and is co-author of each of the reports.
Dr. Julie Sarama
Dr. Julie Sarama, Distinguished University Professor and Kennedy Endowed Chair in Innovative Learning Technologies at the University of Denver, conducts research on young children’s development of mathematical concepts and competencies, the implementation and scale-up of educational reform, professional development models and their influence on student learning, and the implementation and effects of software environments in mathematics classrooms. These studies have been published in more than 115 refereed articles, 10 books, 160 chapters, and over 100 additional publications. Dr. Sarama has directed over 30 projects funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences (IES), the National Institute of Health (NIH), and the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).
Research and Success
Building Blocks PreK Math is based on research conducted in a well-defined, rigorous, and complete fashion and funded by the National Science Foundation. Efficacy studies indicate strong positive effects with achievement gains near or exceeding those recorded for individual tutoring.
Results with Building Blocks PreK Math
A Summative Evaluation tested the program's effectiveness in several classrooms. Results indicated that Building Blocks PreK Math increases knowledge of multiple essential mathematical concepts and skills.
Preschool Curriculum Evaluation Research tested Building Blocks PreK Math in 40 classrooms that received no additional support or training. Mathematics achievement subsequently increased significantly.
The TRIAD/Building Blocks PreK Math Studies tested the program against a comparable preschool math program and a no-treatment control group. All classrooms were randomly assigned in accordance with the "gold standard" of scientific evaluation. Building Blocks PreK Math children significantly outperformed both the control and the comparison groups. Again, effect sizes doubled those usually considered "strong" and matched those of individual tutoring.
Learning trajectories do not break down skills into small bits presented in sequences. Learning trajectories build up from children’s ideas and follow their natural ways of thinking. They are asset-based.