Building Blocks Pre-K
- This strategy can help address educational disparities. The U.S. Department of Treasury has indicated that strategies that help achieve this outcome are eligible for the use of Fiscal Recovery Funds.
- Investments in this strategy are SLFRF-eligible as long as they are made in qualified census tracts or are designed to assist populations or communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.
Program overview
Preschool curriculum to improve math outcomes: Building Blocks Pre-K is a supplemental preschool math curriculum designed to build early childhood math learning through both software-based and hands-on learning. There is some evidence that the curriculum improves students’ math outcomes.
Implemented by preschool teachers: Building Blocks is implemented by teachers in Pre-K settings and is adaptable to different Pre-K schedules (e.g., half day or full day). It can be utilized in addition to other Pre-K curricula in order to provide a supplemental focus on math. The curriculum builds mathematical skills through a variety of modalities, including interactive software, physical manipulatives, and print materials. It also includes 30 weeks of lesson plans that include whole group, small group, and individual activities.
Embedding mathematics learning in daily activities: The goal of Building Blocks is to incorporate math into students’ regular activities in the classroom. Targeted math concepts include numbers and operations, geometry, measurement, patterns and algebra, and data analysis and classification.
Incorporating high-tech interactive activities: One of the central components of Building Blocks is a software designed for students’ independent exploration and application of math concepts. Each lesson on this software contains Learning Activities, Practice, and Free Explore sections. Through these sections, students work through skill-based tasks, practice skills through a quick proficiency assessment, and then create their own scenarios and puzzles to apply the math concepts. Teachers can see data on students’ performance in real time and have the option to assign specific lessons to students on a designated pacing schedule.
Including hands-on manipulatives and print materials: Building Blocks promotes active learning, particularly through the use of physical learning resources. Hands-on manipulatives may include counting cards, puzzles, pattern games, or shape sets. Print materials can include math-related storybooks and shape flip books.
- Cost per Participant
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Approximately $750 for a full set of materials
Two studies with rigorous designs demonstrate that Building Blocks is a well-supported strategy for improving children’s math achievement.
- This assessment is based on evidence from a 2007 research synthesis. However, additional evidence and replication on a larger scale are needed to confirm this effect.
Note: This content is under review.
Deliver curriculum with fidelity: Building Blocks Pre-K lessons produce stronger outcomes when they are implemented in the form and pacing intended by the original curriculum creators. School leaders and instructional coaches should conduct regular classroom observations to support teachers in delivering lessons as they are designed. For example, teachers should be balancing small versus large group instruction and incorporating both technology and hands-on activities.
Engage with families: Learning outcomes are stronger when children continue learning outside of the classroom. The Building Blocks Teacher’s Resource Guide includes weekly Family Letters that can be sent home to communicate to parents what children are working on in school and suggest activities and conversation starters for them to demonstrate their knowledge and practice their skills at home.
Differentiate instruction for individual student’s needs: Teachers should adapt lesson plans and instructional methods based on individual children’s needs. The Building Blocks lesson plans include specific “if… then” prompts that teachers can use, such as “if children need help during Find the Number, then reduce the number of hidden pizzas.”
Collect and utilize data to gauge children’s proficiency: The Building Blocks curriculum facilitates ongoing data collection that helps to assess how children are progressing toward learning goals. The software management system includes progress checks in Practice sections, and small group work time incorporates Small Group Record Sheets that teachers should use to track students’ progress through activities. Teachers are also provided with benchmarks to assess children’s mastery of skills along a developmental trajectory. Teachers should incorporate all this information to customize students’ learning activities and provide additional support or coaching as needed.