Everyday Mathematics
Local governments can invest in this strategy using State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
- 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
Math curriculum focused on real-life problem solving: Everyday Mathematics is a math curriculum for prekindergarten through sixth grade students developed at the University of Chicago. It emphasizes real-life problem solving through a variety of instructional approaches and focuses on building students’ mathematical skills and understanding of mathematical concepts. There is promising evidence for it as a tool to increase students’ mathematical achievement.
Emphasis on applicable math skills: The lessons and activities in Everyday Mathematics utilize real-life problem-solving situations and approaches. Mathematical skills and concepts are linked to everyday situations, such as calculating costs while grocery shopping or measuring ingredients for a recipe. Students are encouraged to explore multiple strategies and resources to solve problems, including using paper-and-pencil, calculators, and mental math. Teachers also demonstrate multiple methods and problem-solving strategies to support conceptual understanding and better accommodate different learners.
Balanced instructional formats: Each lesson in the curriculum includes both whole-class instruction and small-group, partner, or individual activities. With this approach, teacher-directed learning is balanced with open-ended problem solving and hands-on exploration. The curriculum also includes form letters to be sent home with students and a library of online resources geared toward parents and families. These resources keep families informed about the concepts their child has learned in school and show them ways that they can build on that learning at home.
Encouraging students to demonstrate conceptual knowledge: Everyday Mathematics helps students balance the development of foundational math skills and conceptual understanding through written and oral practice of basic arithmetic facts, fluency activities, mental math activities, problem sets to review daily learning, homework, and a variety of math games. In addition, students are encouraged to explain and discuss their mathematical thinking while solving problems in order to clarify their thinking and learn from others’ thought processes.
- Strategies
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Math curricula and interventions
One study with a rigorous design suggests that the Everyday Mathematics curriculum is a promising strategy for increasing mathematics achievement.
- This assessment is based on evidence from a 2015 systematic review.
Individualize based on children’s instructional needs: Teachers should adapt lesson plans and instructional methods based on individual children’s needs. This may include adjusting the ratio of guided instruction to independent work time, modeling mathematical thinking out loud, or customizing real-life problems to appeal to children’s knowledge and interests. The variety of activities included in the Everyday Mathematics curriculum makes it possible for teachers to customize the time spent on different components and selection of activities to best fit their students’ needs.
Promote home-school connections: The Everyday Mathematics curriculum includes homework assignments and letters that should be sent home to parents and families, as well as an extensive library of online resources geared toward parents. Teachers should inform parents and families about these resources at the start of the year. By offering coaching or check-in sessions to families, teachers can also empower families to better support their children with homework assignments and reinforce key mathematics concepts at home.
Ensure students have the tools they need to succeed: Manipulatives and mathematical tools, such as calculators, base-10 blocks, counters, fraction circles, and rulers, play an important role in Everyday Mathematics lessons. Schools should ensure that all classrooms have enough manipulatives for every student to use, and to potentially borrow for homework assignments.
Provide training and professional development opportunities for teachers: Teachers implementing Everyday Mathematics can benefit from ongoing training and support. Training may include curriculum orientations or classroom observations and coaching sessions. The University of Chicago also offers professional development opportunities for teachers implementing Everyday Mathematics, including School Support Services and a Virtual Learning Community. McGraw Hill, the Everyday Mathematics publisher, also employs consultants and trainers who can provide implementation training and support.