4 Steps to Math Success

Staged Learning Leads to Deep Conceptual Understanding

Too many elementary math programs still rely on teaching a process that reaches only a portion of the students in the classroom. Perhaps you’ve noticed that students can use a memorized formula and get the correct answer, but don’t truly understand how they got the answer, making it difficult for them to apply what they “learned” to more complex equations or real-life problems. This may be due to pedagogical approach of the math materials you are using.

That’s why we have designed ORIGO Stepping Stones 2.0 program to provide all students with access to a high quality, standards-aligned program that supports a deep conceptual understanding of math. Our unique four-step, staged learning model—introduction, reinforcement, practice, and extension—provides a learner-friendly, logical instructional pace, helping students master concepts and cement knowledge.

Step 1: Introduction—Students encounter new skills by employing concrete and pictorial models that help them “see” the math and begin to lay down an understanding of the underlying concepts.

Step 2: Reinforcement—Games and activities help students internalize their thinking and connect the visual models used to introduce new concepts to the symbolic representations of the practice stage. This critical step, often overlooked in traditional programs, helps students further cement their understanding and move toward abstract reasoning.

Step 3: Practice—Students frequently practice skills with symbols in short time periods to help them develop accuracy and efficiency. This stage also improves students’ ability to quickly retrieve information and reinforces math fluency.

Step 4: Extension—Students have multiple opportunities to apply their skills to new situations, which often involve greater numbers. At this stage, students are showing true mastery by applying what they have learned to connected, but more complex problems.

Stepping Stones 2.0 four-staged learning model is supported by a spaced-learning approach. Spaced learning—distributing short teaching sessions of a particular skill over time—allows students to practice skills and cement learning. Most elementary math programs rely on a massed learning approach, where students learn and then practice mathematical concepts numerous times during a relatively short period and then move on to new material. Unfortunately, this approach makes it difficult for students to retain learning, meaning that you often end up completely reteaching previously covered concepts.

Math is a discipline that builds upon itself—students need to have a strong understanding of basic concepts before moving on to increasingly more complex content. Stepping Stones 2.0 staged learning approach organizes content so that students and teachers can see how ideas build upon one another. Our unique approach gives students a deep understanding of the math underlying the concept so that they know and feel powerful in their math skills, able to tackle new concepts confidently.

Read more about how staged learning supports learning retention and mastery of standards-based, grade-level requirements.