New Reviews: Cosenza’s STAAR Mission Math (K-8 and Algebra I)

Cosenza & Associates’ STAAR Mission Math is a supplemental, accelerated program to help students master the TEKS and prepare for STAAR math exams in grades K-12. The online program includes printable resources and supports instruction in blended learning environments. Learning List recently reviewed STAAR Mission Math products for grades K-8 and Algebra I.

At each grade of these grade levels, STAAR Mission Math provides sets of lessons that support students in mastering specific TEKS and preparing for standardized tests. Lessons are organized using the 5E instructional model (i.e., Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate) and include videos, activity sheets, hands-on activities, and opportunities for formative and summative assessment. Instruction incorporates multiple representations of concepts and math journals in which students keep track of new vocabulary, record their conclusions, and reflect on what they have learned.

Teacher resources include a downloadable one-page lesson plan for each lesson, blackline masters of student handouts, and answer keys. Lesson plans include an overview, links to the relevant TEKS, and step-by-step guidance in implementing the 5E lesson cycle, including steps to prepare the lesson and discussion questions.

 

About Cosenza & Associates*

Cosenza & Associates, LLC, was founded in 2010 by Gary Cosenza and Dr. Paul Gray. They founded the company in order to provide a better organizational structure for putting their expertise to work for schools and districts across Texas and around the nation.

What is STAAR Mission™? STAAR Mission™ is a flexible, condensed curriculum for Grades K-12 Mathematics, Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2. Based on the 5E instructional model, STAAR Mission™ lessons are teacher tools that harness the power of multimedia, including engaging audio and video documents, to deliver instruction that reinforces conceptual understanding so that students can become proficient with important skills.

STAAR Mission™ lessons emphasize succinct, tailored instruction centered around students’ use of a daily math journal. Each lesson includes high-yield strategies cited by Marzano, Pickering, and Pollock (2001) such as summarizing, using graphic organizers, and note-taking. Lessons also include hands-on activities, digital and printable activity masters, and detailed teacher directions. Visit the STAAR Mission™ website, to learn more about how STAAR Mission can help make students successful!

*The content in this section is provided by or adapted from Cosenza & Associates.

© 2015 Learning List