New Integrated Algebra Questions and Correlations!

The Math Content Team has been busy during the month of May! We have completed a couple of projects that we think you will find beneficial. Let us know what you think:

  • Integrated Algebra January 2013 Regents Exam has been published.
  • We cross-listed Elementary Science content that aligns to the Common Core standards in the Measurement and Data strand.
  • We added constructed response questions for Systems of Equations and Inequalities that are suitable for Integrated Algebra or Algebra 2/Trig.
  • We designated Webb’s Depth of Knowledge and Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy levels for our Intermediate Mathematics course. This project spanned approximately 3,300 questions.
  • We added constructed response questions at the 5th grade level. The standards targeted included 5.MD.1, 5.NBT.1, 5.NBT.5, and 5.NBT.6.

New “Select All that Apply” & “Multi-Option” Question Formats in Math!

The Math Content team has correlated nearly 2,000 more questions using Webb’s Depth of Knowledge and Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy. We anticipate having our entire math database correlated to these two taxonomies by the end of the year.

With the introduction of the Common Core, we are developing new questions using different formats. One such question format is “Select All that Apply”. The second question format is “Multi-Option”. Below are examples of each new format:

“Select All that Apply”

“Multi-Option”

Calculator-Based Questions

Questions in math courses for Castle Learning may require the use of a calculator. In most instances, we have the “Key Stroke” sequence or “screen grabs” available in the hint and/or reason section of our answers for your students’ benefit.  These calculator based questions can be found in most levels, but are generally found in the more advanced topics.  Below are some examples:

Example 1:

Screen Shot Example

Screen Shot Example 2

Example 2:

Key-Strokes ExampleKey-Stroke Example 2

Questions Using Calculators

Various questions in Castle Learning’s math courses may require the use of a calculator.  In most instances, we have provided the “Key Stroke” sequence or a variety of “screen grabs” in the hint and/or reason sections. Students will benefit from this, reviewing the sequence of steps in the calculation process. These calculator-based questions can be found in most levels, but are generally found in the higher-end topics.  Below are some examples:

Example 1:

Example 2:

 

 

Math NYS January 2012 Regents Available

The January 2012 NYS Regents exam questions are now available in Algebra II & Trigonometry and Geometry. Also available in Geometry are the June 2012 NYS Regents exam questions. In addition, the August 2012 NYS Regents exam questions are also now available in Integrated Algebra. These questions have been aligned to the new attributes, Webb’s Depth of Knowledge and Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy. Where applicable, they have also been aligned to the Common Core standards.

October Math Updates: Constructed Response & Multiple Choice

The Castle Learning Math Team has added over 100 Constructed Response questions at the elementary mathematics level.  These questions fall in line with the Common Core standards and incorporate Webb’s Depth of Knowledge and Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy.

Example questions include:

Math Venn Diagram Question  Elementary Math Venn Diagram Shape Classification Question

Elementary Math line graph question

At higher learning levels, the Math Team has added operations using Scientific Notation.  Multiple choice examples include:

Math scientific notation questions

Math scientific notation question

Stay tuned for additional math content updates!

 

September Math News

The Math Team added extended response questions to Castle Learning’s database over the summer and they are ready for the beginning of the 2012-13 school year!  To access these questions, choose the constructed response tab from the “Create New Assignment Page”.

Constructed Response TabQuestions are available at all levels, and updates will continue so that all sections have questions as well.  The project will be finished early in the 2012-13 school year.

Construted Response Math TopicsExtended response questions meet the more rigorous demands of the Common Core standards, and meet higher critical thinking skills of Norman Webb Depth of Knowledge levels 3 and 4. Look for these new questions in the Constructed Response activity.

  • Questions can be projected on whiteboards or printed out for use as homework or in-class projects
  • Sample responses show complete solutions
  • Notes for Teachers give guidance on key ideas to look for in student responses
  • There are recommended point levels for questions
  • Questions are teacher graded

NYS Math Exam Practice Now Available at the Elementary and Middle School Level + More Common Core!

Castle Learning’s Math Curriculum Team has just released “ready-to-go” assignments (Public Assignments) in preparation for the upcoming NYSED Math assessments.

Castle Learning Public Math AssignmentsLook for assignments with these names in Elementary Math:

  • NYS Sampler Exam 2012 Grade 3
  • NYS Sampler Exam 2012 Grade 4
  • NYS Sampler Exam 2012 Grade 5

and in Intermediate Math:

  • NYS Sampler Exam 2012 Grade 6
  • NYS Sampler Exam 2012 Grade 7
  • NYS Sampler Exam 2012 Grade 8

Steps for importing a Public Assignment for NYS Math Practice:

  • From the Teacher Home Page click Assignments
  • Click the Create From Public Assignments button
  • Click the plus sign (+) next to Mathematics
  • Click the plus sign (+) next to Elementary Mathematics or Intermediate Mathematics
  • Click the plus sign (+) next to Castle Assignments
  • Click the plus sign (+) next to New York
  • Click the title of an assignment to preview or select the check box next to the assignment name to mark it for import
  • Click the Import button at the top left of the page to import into your Assignments
  • Now it’s ready to be assigned!

Common Core Update

Castle Learning Common Core Math Public AssignmentsIn addition, Castle Learning continues to build its collection of public assignments tied to specific Common Core math standards.
Steps for importing a Public Assignment for Common Core Math:

  • From the Teacher Home Page click Assignments
  • Click the Create From Public Assignments button
  • Click the plus sign (+) next to Common Core
  • Click the plus sign (+) next to Math
  • Click the plus sign (+) next to the grade levels (Grade 3 through Grade 8) or the desired high school strand (Number & Quantity, Algebra, Geometry, Probability & Statistics, or Functions)
  • Click the standard number of an assignment to preview or select the check box next to the assignment name to mark it for import (some standards have multiple assignments)
  • Click the Import button at the top left of the page to import into your Assignments
  • Now it’s ready to be assigned

Math News

Numerous high school level Common Core short answer assignments have been published under the various Math concept strands, including:

  • Number & Quantity
  • Algebra
  • Geometry
  • Statistics & Probability
  • Functions

To locate these Common Core Math assignments: On the Assignments page, select your math course and make sure you are on the Short-Answer tab. Then click Create from Public Assignment. On the Import page, click the plus signs (+) to next to Common Core, then Math, then the concept strand. Assignments are clearly named with the Common Core standard notation. Click on an assignment name to view its contents. Place a check mark in the box to the left of the name to select the assignment, and click the Import button to create an assignment with its contents.

Common Core Public Assignments

Over 800 new Public Assignments have been added, each one containing questions for a specific Common Core Math or English Language Arts learning standard.

Most of the assignments contain under 25 questions. In many cases multiple Public Assignments are available for the same standard.

You can create assignment using these Public Assignments in two ways: Continue reading