The Philosophy Behind the Books

These books are designed to help students build a strong foundation in number sense as they master the four basic operations.

What is Number Sense?

Number Sense is an intuitive sense of how numbers work; as students learn HOW numbers work, they develop the confidence and skillset to use numbers freely and flexibly.

How do we help our students develop this elusive intuition about numbers?

Students will perfect their strategies and master the art of operating on numbers through hands-on activities, games, challenges, and anything but traditional skill-and-drill worksheets.

Fluency with Math will come as a “side effect” of this deep understanding coupled with high-interest practice activities using these strategies with increasingly larger numbers.

  • Memorization vs. Conceptual Understanding

    Memorization vs. Conceptual Understanding

    The fundamental focus on conceptual understanding changes the narrative of Math from a tale of memorizing facts and procedures to an engaging story of working confidently and flexibly with numbers.

  • The Big Picture

    This immersive Math experience helps students understand HOW Math works so they own the process and can control and adjust the outcome – rather than rely on procedures to produce results for them, where the steps are mysterious and the results are often meaningless.

  • Own It

    Math is one coherent, beautiful whole. This program treats it as such with strategic progression of units that takes students from basic counting to becoming Masters of Multi-digit Math operations.

  • Age Neutral

    Because these foundational concepts are truly ageless and students often still need help with the basics even once they get to higher level Math classes, this edition is designed to be approachable to learners of any age and skill level without pictures or language that can be alienating to older students.

“My son loves this program and your explanations are so clear. I told him that if I could have gotten a solid foundation in math at his age, like what he’s getting because of your curriculum, it would have changed my life and opened many doors. I just wanted to let you know that your work and passion is such a blessing to so many!”

— M.A.

What is Number Sense?

What are Ten Frames & a Rekenrek?

FAQs

Is this a full curriculum?

The complete series covers K-4th grade level concepts related to whole numbers and their operations. It does not cover additional strands of Math, such as time, money, measurement, graphs, etc.

This can be used alongside any curriculum, because it will help your learners build a framework for understanding Math that they can build on for the rest of their life.


Who is this for?

This curriculum can be used with students at any grade level.

If you use this with younger students who are just beginning their Math journey, this will help them lay a solid foundation for understanding numbers and how they work.

Since each volume goes up through multi-digit operations, you can work through the books as far as younger students are able to go, then continue using the rest of the book once they are ready for it.

If you are using this with older students, you can follow their lead to move as quickly through the program as they are able - but don’t skip sections since the early units introduce strategies with small numbers that will stretch to larger numbers.


Does this just cover Math facts?

No. This series covers single to multi-digit numbers and their operations. Each book focuses deeply on developing strategies for working with the single-digit facts that will stretch to working with any size number.

Where can I get a Rekenrek?

You can find links to recommended resources (including DIY ideas and free online resources) here. (This page still lives on my R.E.A.L.-World Learners’ website but will be moved here soon.)

Can I see a list of the concepts and skills broken down by grade level?

Yes. Although there is nothing in the workbooks to indicate grade level standards (so that the natural development of ideas won’t be artificially stunted for younger kids or seem discouraging and condescending for older kids), there is a list available for parents and teachers that maps out the standards that are addressed in each unit, as well as a shorter, more general list that divides up the units in each book according to grade level expectations. (Coming soon; contact me if you need this before it’s linked here.)

Do you have other Math products?

Yes! You can see a list of printable and digital resources that accompany this series in the Add-on section of this website, or see my TPT store for a full list of other Math products, including Algebra, Geometry, Math Art, and Math for Fun products.

Do you have special licensing or resources for schools or co-ops?

Yes! For school use I can create cost-effective custom versions of these workbooks that just contain the work pages (everything except the intro, appendix, and answer keys for the Check-Ups); I can also create condensed versions (for example - the Addition book that just goes up through adding within 20 or 100 for younger grades.) These would be much more affordable as a bulk purchase than getting a complete book for each student. Since this is Framework Math's first year, these books would be priced as low as possible and I would be available all year to offer support as needed or talk about making/adapting resources to go along with the workbook series. Let’s talk! You can reach me at sandra@frameworkmath.com.


Other questions?

Submit any questions here (or email sandra@frameworkmath.com directly) and I’ll be in touch soon!