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Intervention: Pre-K Mathematics

Program information1


Developer and contact

Developed by Alice Klein and Prentice Starkey with Alma Ramirez, Pre-K Mathematics is distributed by Pearson Scott Foresman division of Pearson Education as part of the Scott Foresman-Addison Wesley Mathematics (2004) series for grades Pre-K–6. Address: 1900 E. Lake Avenue, Glenview, Illinois 60025. Web: www.scottforesman.com/support/index.cfm. Telephone: (800) 552-2259.

Scope of use

Information is not available on the number or demographics of children or centers using Pre-K Mathematics with or without DLM Express.

Teaching

The Pre-K Mathematics curriculum includes activities organized in seven units containing closely related mathematical content: (1) Counting and Number, (2) Understanding Arithmetic Operations (Fall Activities), (3) Spatial Sense and Geometry, (4) Patterns, (5) Understanding Arithmetic Operations (Spring Activities), (6) Measurement and Data, and (7) Logical Reasoning. The program has both classroom activities with manipulatives and home activities with picture strips in English or Spanish. In the classroom, mathematical concepts and skills are taught through teacher-guided, small-group activities over the course of the school year. A new mathematics activity is introduced each week and presented to pre-Kindergarten children twice. Each small group contains four to six children and the small-group lessons last approximately 20 minutes. Home activities are sent home with the child every one to two weeks. Parents are encouraged to help their children engage in mathematical activities that are related to the concepts and skills they are learning at school. Materials for the classroom and home are provided in a core program package that includes a teacher's curriculum book, activity aid masters, home activity masters, and assessment record sheets. The research evidence reviewed in this report addresses Pre-K Mathematics combined with DLM Express, which is supplemental DLM Early Childhood Express math software. The software reinforced classroom support in two mathematical domains: (1) geometric and spatial concepts and skills and (2) numerical concepts and skills. It can be purchased only as part of a bundle called the DLM Express Math Resource Package, which includes the DLM math software CD and the math resources guide booklet. The studies reviewed for this report used only the math software, and in the case of Starkey and Klein (2005) only a subset of the math software activities included on the CD were used.

Cost

The Pre-K Mathematics Core Program Package (Pre-K Teacher's Edition, Activity Aid Masters, Home Activity Masters, and Assessment Record Sheets) costs $145 and the Spanish Home Activity Masters cost $16. Information on the cost of professional development is not available. The DLM Express Math Resource Package that includes the computer software costs $185. 5

1 The descriptive information for this program was obtained from publicly available sources: the program's website (http://www.pearsonearlylearning.com/products/curriculum/pre_k/index.html, downloaded March 15, 2007), the research literature (Clements & Sarama, 2006, June; Starkey & Klein, 2005; Starkey, Klein, & Wakeley, 2004), and the program description provided by the author upon the WWC request. The WWC requests developers to review the program description sections for accuracy from their perspective. Further verification of the accuracy of the descriptive information for this program is beyond the scope of this review.
5 The manipulatives noted in the teaching section are not available for purchase from Pearson Scott Foresman.