Frequently Asked Questions about the Curriculum
Q: What is the relationship between Open Up Resources and Mathematics Vision Project (MVP)?
A: TMVP and Open Up Resources have partnered to provide the high school math curriculum. MVP has authored the curriculum, and Open UP Resources is now helping refine and distribute it.
Q: What updates and revisions will be made to the high school mathematics curriculum?
A: Open Up Resources is putting the curriculum through their beta process. As part of this process, they're gathering feedback from the field and working with us to make enhancements that will further improve the efficacy and usability of the curriculum. Specific updates and revisions will be announced when they're ready for release.
Q: What is the timeline for updates and revisions to occur? Should we wait to implement?
A: The curriculum is already in great shape-we're simply refining it! We encourage you to adopt the curriculum when it makes most sense for your school/district.
Q: Where can I learn more about the high school curriculum?
A: Please contact a field specialist at Open Up Resources.
Q: Are the MVP Secondary Mathematics Textbook meant for everyone?
A: The basic student book and teacher notes for the MVP Secondary Mathematics Textbook is available for any teacher teaching towards the Common Core State Standards to use free of charge on this website. The book is designed around the Comprehensive Mathematics Instruction (CMI) model. Most of the tasks call for a sense-making and reasoning approach. If this approach is unfamiliar to you or uncomfortable for you to implement, we would encourage you to consider joining in professional learning and reading the latest from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) to prepare yourself to engage with Effective Teaching Practices for mathematics.
Q: When are revisions made to the textbooks?
A: The MVP team is continually seeking input and receiving feedback which is considered and changes are made as the team sees fit. To be made aware of updates please sign up to be a member of our email list. MVP Updates.
Q: How can I best use these materials?
A: The purpose and intent of these materials is to support teachers and educators with tasks that build understanding through well developed learning cycles. The Comprehensive Mathematics Instruction (CMI) framework is an integral part of the materials. Knowing and understanding the framework is essential to facilitation of a successful implementation. The Mathematics Vision Project (MVP) can provide much needed professional learning to educators regarding the CMI framework and the Secondary One curriculum materials.
Q: How are these materials organized?
A: You can find an overview of the structure of the materials here. The student book has the teaching tasks that are meant for the daily classroom experience. These teaching tasks are paired with a "READY, SET, GO" homework set of problems. The "READY, SET, GO" homework sets may be supported with the "Homework Help" materials taken from the ck12.org site. The "Homework Help" section is not always provided because there exist many such supports online and in widely used basal texts.
Q: What about pacing and a scope and sequence?
A: The modules are designed such that tasks within a module build to develop mathematical understanding. The modules are sequenced in order to promote integration of the standards for the first course (Secondary One) of the CCSS Integrated Pathway of courses (see Appendix A for the CCSS mathematics standards). However, teachers need to view the materials as a resource and as such use them as they see fit. The intent would be to "usually" use a task a day. The teacher may or may not use a task a day depending on the needs of their students as well as such issues as a block schedule and so forth.
Q: What about the honors component?
A: The honors component is embedded throughout the text. For example, the MVP team determined that matrices naturally fit with systems of equations. Hence, additional ”honors tasks” are added to Secondary 1 Module 5. Additional honors components will be embedded where they fit with the content.
Q: Where are the examples?
A: The MVP team has authored the materials such that they provide learning through a task-based classroom environment. Students will work collaboratively to develop, solidify and practice important mathematics. Again it is essential for teachers to have an understanding of the intended pedagogy that may best support the implementation of the tasks in the curriculum. In addition to the in-class experience facilitated by the teacher there are Helps, Hints and Explanations that contain examples and explanations as well as help videos available on rsgsupport.org.
Q: Where are the lengthy problem sets?
A: Problem sets are meant to support the learning and thinking that takes place during and after classroom instruction. The “Ready, Set, Go” practice sets are intended to support the learning as described. There are many other resources that have practice sets if a teacher wishes to provide more of this for their students.
Q: Where are the answers for Ready, Set, Go homework assignments?
A: These are found in the Enhanced Teacher Notes.
Q: Do I need to print the entire book?
A: No. The book has been published electronically to save costs. The student and teacher materials can be printed on a needs basis. Generally, the teacher would need one task handout per student per class period for the classroom experience and another homework handout for the “Ready, Set, Go” homework assignment.
Q: How do I stay up to date with MVP?
A: Every time we update the materials, we want you to know. The MVP Update emails will make it possible for you to always be informed. We will not share your email address with anyone! You can also follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook!
Q: What is the Creative Commons License?
A: The Creative Commons License allows you to use the materials, edit the materials and so forth as long as you cite where you found them originally. Find out more by visiting the Creative Commons website.
A: TMVP and Open Up Resources have partnered to provide the high school math curriculum. MVP has authored the curriculum, and Open UP Resources is now helping refine and distribute it.
Q: What updates and revisions will be made to the high school mathematics curriculum?
A: Open Up Resources is putting the curriculum through their beta process. As part of this process, they're gathering feedback from the field and working with us to make enhancements that will further improve the efficacy and usability of the curriculum. Specific updates and revisions will be announced when they're ready for release.
Q: What is the timeline for updates and revisions to occur? Should we wait to implement?
A: The curriculum is already in great shape-we're simply refining it! We encourage you to adopt the curriculum when it makes most sense for your school/district.
Q: Where can I learn more about the high school curriculum?
A: Please contact a field specialist at Open Up Resources.
Q: Are the MVP Secondary Mathematics Textbook meant for everyone?
A: The basic student book and teacher notes for the MVP Secondary Mathematics Textbook is available for any teacher teaching towards the Common Core State Standards to use free of charge on this website. The book is designed around the Comprehensive Mathematics Instruction (CMI) model. Most of the tasks call for a sense-making and reasoning approach. If this approach is unfamiliar to you or uncomfortable for you to implement, we would encourage you to consider joining in professional learning and reading the latest from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) to prepare yourself to engage with Effective Teaching Practices for mathematics.
Q: When are revisions made to the textbooks?
A: The MVP team is continually seeking input and receiving feedback which is considered and changes are made as the team sees fit. To be made aware of updates please sign up to be a member of our email list. MVP Updates.
Q: How can I best use these materials?
A: The purpose and intent of these materials is to support teachers and educators with tasks that build understanding through well developed learning cycles. The Comprehensive Mathematics Instruction (CMI) framework is an integral part of the materials. Knowing and understanding the framework is essential to facilitation of a successful implementation. The Mathematics Vision Project (MVP) can provide much needed professional learning to educators regarding the CMI framework and the Secondary One curriculum materials.
Q: How are these materials organized?
A: You can find an overview of the structure of the materials here. The student book has the teaching tasks that are meant for the daily classroom experience. These teaching tasks are paired with a "READY, SET, GO" homework set of problems. The "READY, SET, GO" homework sets may be supported with the "Homework Help" materials taken from the ck12.org site. The "Homework Help" section is not always provided because there exist many such supports online and in widely used basal texts.
Q: What about pacing and a scope and sequence?
A: The modules are designed such that tasks within a module build to develop mathematical understanding. The modules are sequenced in order to promote integration of the standards for the first course (Secondary One) of the CCSS Integrated Pathway of courses (see Appendix A for the CCSS mathematics standards). However, teachers need to view the materials as a resource and as such use them as they see fit. The intent would be to "usually" use a task a day. The teacher may or may not use a task a day depending on the needs of their students as well as such issues as a block schedule and so forth.
Q: What about the honors component?
A: The honors component is embedded throughout the text. For example, the MVP team determined that matrices naturally fit with systems of equations. Hence, additional ”honors tasks” are added to Secondary 1 Module 5. Additional honors components will be embedded where they fit with the content.
Q: Where are the examples?
A: The MVP team has authored the materials such that they provide learning through a task-based classroom environment. Students will work collaboratively to develop, solidify and practice important mathematics. Again it is essential for teachers to have an understanding of the intended pedagogy that may best support the implementation of the tasks in the curriculum. In addition to the in-class experience facilitated by the teacher there are Helps, Hints and Explanations that contain examples and explanations as well as help videos available on rsgsupport.org.
Q: Where are the lengthy problem sets?
A: Problem sets are meant to support the learning and thinking that takes place during and after classroom instruction. The “Ready, Set, Go” practice sets are intended to support the learning as described. There are many other resources that have practice sets if a teacher wishes to provide more of this for their students.
Q: Where are the answers for Ready, Set, Go homework assignments?
A: These are found in the Enhanced Teacher Notes.
Q: Do I need to print the entire book?
A: No. The book has been published electronically to save costs. The student and teacher materials can be printed on a needs basis. Generally, the teacher would need one task handout per student per class period for the classroom experience and another homework handout for the “Ready, Set, Go” homework assignment.
Q: How do I stay up to date with MVP?
A: Every time we update the materials, we want you to know. The MVP Update emails will make it possible for you to always be informed. We will not share your email address with anyone! You can also follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook!
Q: What is the Creative Commons License?
A: The Creative Commons License allows you to use the materials, edit the materials and so forth as long as you cite where you found them originally. Find out more by visiting the Creative Commons website.