Math

At ADI, we believe math should be meaningful, interactive, and rooted in real-world problem solving. That’s why our math program includes instructional materials, hands-on kits, classroom tools, and professional learning experiences that help teachers bring math to life.

$Photo: students working on a math investigation$

Easy to Integrate into Any Curriculum

Whether you’re supplementing your current curriculum, replacing a weak lesson, or bridging a gap between units, ADI math investigations are designed for flexibility. Use them to:

Deepen understanding of key concepts
Revisit topics in more rigorous and relevant ways
Revisit topics in more rigorous and relevant ways

1 Stage 1: TaskAn investigation begins with the introduction of a real-world math situation or puzzle to figure out. Students discuss what they notice and wonder about the scenario. The task is introduced, and students share ideas about what the numbers or relationships might mean. The stage ends with students identifying what they need to learn more about to solve the problem.
2 Stage 2: IdeasStudents begin this stage by reading about mathematical ideas they can use during the investigation and talking with their group to identify which ideas they think will be the most useful or helpful. The intent of this stage is to “put some math ideas on the table” for students to use as they work together to make sense of the situation and develop a solution to the problem.
3 Stage 3: PlanIn this stage, students work in their groups to create a plan for how they will collect and make sense of the information they need to solve the problem. Student groups share their plans with each other or the classroom teacher to get feedback about their approach, then use the feedback they receive to revise and improve their plan.
4 Stage 4: DoIn this stage, students carry out their plan by gathering, calculating, or organizing the mathematical data they need to solve the problem. They work collaboratively to perform calculations, make graphs, or construct models, and continually check and refine their work. Groups share progress with each other or the teacher, use feedback to improve their methods, and ensure their results align with their plan.
5 Stage 5: ShareIn this stage, students work with their group to develop an argument that includes a claim, evidence, and a justification based on their mathematical thinking. They share their argument with other groups during an argumentation session and receive feedback from their peers. Students then use this feedback to strengthen their reasoning and improve their argument.
6 Stage 6: ReflectIn this stage, the teacher facilitates a discussion about the mathematical ideas students used during the investigation and how those ideas can be applied to other problems. Students also reflect on how well their group worked together, identify areas for improvement, and set goals to make their next investigation more productive.
7 Stage 7: ReportIn the last stage, students write a report sharing their process and findings from the investigation. These reports are exchanged in a double-blind peer-review session, where students critique and provide constructive feedback to one another. After receiving feedback, students revise their reports to make them stronger and then submit their final versions to the teacher for evaluation.