1. Implementing Aha!Math Units
Implementing a Unit
Each unit is designed to include several components as the means for improving student understanding of a topic.
As you learn more about these components, you will also discover additional ways to use individual components of
a unit to meet the specific needs of individual students. It is important to remember that the Grade K-2 units consist
only of Games and Activities while the Grade 3-5 units consist of Instructional Modules, Lessons, Games, Activities,
and Quizzes. Each link below provides you with specific ideas for implementing that component.
How should I implement Instructional Modules?
Instructional modules are designed as instruction for students to learn concepts and procedures.
Instructional Modules While each Instructional Module also has a quiz, many also have lessons to involve students in the
learning. Some include parallel games or activities. Use the Instructional Modules to support your
instruction. For example, project an instructional module from a computer for all students to view.
Use the pause feature to make comments, clarify meaning, and pose questions. It is important to
engage students in the module through discussion to support their learning.
View the Instructional Module in Grade 3 Unit 1 on multiplication titled, “Models of Multiplication.”
This module introduces students to various ways of modeling multiplication. To support student
learning, pause the video after one model and provide students with additional examples of
multiplication problems using this same model. By the time you finish the video, students will have
seen several multiplication problems using each of the models.
Another effective implementation is to have students take notes during the video and collectively
review what notes were critical to take. Students have a hard time pulling out important facts to
remember and recording them in an effective way. By modeling note taking, you will be providing a
skill to students, pulling out and reviewing the important mathematical concepts, and reinforcing
critical language arts skills.
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2. Implementing Aha!Math Units
How do I incorporate Lessons into my classroom?
The lessons parallel the Instructional modules in grades 3-5. Each lesson reinforces the learning
Lessons presented in the instruction and asks students to participate in the learning. By having students
work individually through the lessons, you will get reports to follow the learning for each individual
student.
View the lesson on the Multiplication Chart in the third grade unit. In the Instructional Module for
this unit, students were taught about the multiplication chart and how to read it. As this lesson
begins, this information is quickly reviewed and students are then asked to find multiplication facts
using a multiplication table. The vocabulary of factors and products are presented and reinforced
through questions. o effectively use lessons, have students work in pairs or individually so they
receive feedback specific to their thinking.
How do you use the Games with students?
Games are a great motivation for students, but educators sometimes think students are learning
little for the instructional time it takes to play a game. Aha!Math designed games in which students
build fluency using math facts and concepts, as well as higher-order thinking and strategy. While
Games the lower-grade games include instruction, the upper-grade games ask students to apply what
they learned in the instruction, lessons or activities. As with the lessons, the games provide
students with feedback for the choices they make along the way. For this reason, the best use of
games is to have students work with a partner or individually. Because most of the games embed
levels of difficulty, be sure students play the games multiple times playing so they advance to the
more difficult levels. Here are some specific examples to successfully use the games.
• Use small groups to introduce students to a game. Having student begin the play in small
groups encourages them to learn each other’s problem-solving strategies.
• Play as the entire class to work on problem solving strategies. As students provide
responses, ask them to explain their thinking. A good example of a game that uses lots of
problem-solving strategies is “River Crossing.”
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3. Implementing Aha!Math Units
• The Aha!Math games are an excellent at-home tool. Parents and students can play
together or challenge one another. When parents don’t have an Internet connection at
home, have them consider a public community center or library.
How do you use the Activities to promote learning?
Activities are designed to be implemented with a whole class. Because activities are delivered as a
PDF, they are not completed using the computer. To implement, provide the instruction to the
Activities whole class, then have students work individually, in small groups, or through whole-class
discussions.
Activities offer a brief opportunity for students to involve themselves in the math using a different
modality. Often they are writing problems, using a different model, and ask for them to discuss
their thinking. Pre-read the activity so you have all the materials students will need. Use the
variations to extend students’ learning. Because of the open nature of the activities, be aware of
your time. It will be easy for students to get engaged in the learning as they work through each
activity.
View an Activity “Fair Sharing” that supports student learning of long division. You should picture
students working on division problems using base-ten blocks.
How do you use the Quizzes to inform you about student learning?
Quizzes Quizzes are available only in Grade 3-5 units. Each Instructional Module is coupled with at least
one quiz. The quizzes work best when students are working independently. Students are
encouraged in the quiz to learn from their mistakes. Strongly suggest that students retake quizzes
when they feel they were not successful; the teacher management system tracks every attempt.
It is important to note that the scoring is for academic grading purposes because Aha!Math is an
instructional program and not an assessment program. Quizzes merely track whether students are
progressing through a concept. Use the reports available in Aha!Math to identify the concepts
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4. Implementing Aha!Math Units
students are mastering and which concepts are causing them problems. The reports also provide
how much time students take, providing insight into fluency growth.
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