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Program information
Developer and contact
Building Blocks for Math was developed by Drs. Douglas Clements and Julie Sarama and is available for preview by contacting the developers. Address: Graduate School of Education, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260. Email: clements@buffalo.edu or jsarama@buffalo.edu. Web: http://www.gse.buffalo.edu/org/buildingblocks/. Telephone: (716) 645-2455 Ext. 1155. It is distributed by SRA/McGraw-Hill; contact Rick Rikhoff, Director of Marketing Services. Email: rick_rikhoff@mcgraw-hill.com. Telephone: (614) 750-7264.
Scope of use
A year after the curriculum was released in 2006, there were 23,000 children in 51 schools across the nation who purchased Building Blocks for Math. In several documented research projects, Building Blocks for Math has been implemented by additional preschool and childcare programs in New York (more than 100 classrooms), Massachusetts (more than 60 classrooms), and Nashville (more than 50 classrooms). These programs include children from low- and mixed-income families.
Teaching
The Building Blocks for Math materials integrate three types of media: software, manipulatives (and everyday objects), and print materials (e.g., books). The materials are designed to be used in a variety of environments: home, day care, and classroom. Building Blocks for Math integrates computer activities (DLM Express) with other activities like teaching games and free-choice learning centers. The curriculum is structured around empirically based learning trajectories (i.e., what is appropriate for children at that age in terms of mathematics). The curriculum includes whole- and small-group activities and games, free-choice learning centers, ideas for integrating mathematics throughout the school day, computer software, and books, game sheets, and manipulatives. Activities are designed so they are based on children's experiences and interests because the program aims to "mathematize" their everyday activities, including building blocks, art, songs, stories, and puzzles. The software includes 150 activities (60 are intended for preschoolers). The Building Blocks for Math materials emphasize mathematical actions-on-objects, such as solving a sequence of geometric puzzles by filling outlines with pattern blocks.
Teaching guidance is provided for both off- and on-computer activities in the teachers' materials. The software's management system presents tasks, contingent on success along research-based trajectories that are sequenced according to children's developmental progression.
Cost
Costs for curriculum materials, teacher resources, and software are:
* Real Math Teacher Edition, Pre-K costs $198
* Real Math Teacher Resource Book, Pre-K costs $129
* Real Math Assessment Booklet, Pre-K costs $78
* Real Math Pre-K Big Books (The Shape of Things, I Spy Two Eyes, The Right Number of Elephants, and Bat Jamboree) each cost $58
* Real Math Pre-K Manipulative Kit costs $282
* SRA Math Building Blocks for Math online costs $10 per student per year