Testimonials

Upper Freehold

Location: Allentown, New Jersey / Number of students: 520 /

Teachers using Innovamat 32 / Grade levels using Innovamat: K-4 /

Using Innovamat since:: 2023

In the classrooms of the Upper Freehold Regional School District, a gradual shift in math education is taking place. Since adopting Innovamat in 2023, educators have noticed a positive change in their students’ understanding and engagement with mathematics. Here’s what teachers in this New Jersey school district have to say about it:

Encouraging Depth in Learning

For many teachers at Upper Freehold, observing how students can apply knowledge from one lesson to another thanks to the curriculum’s emphasis on interconnected learning has been a transformative shift from isolated units. At Innovamat, this is done by revisiting and building upon previously taught skills and concepts throughout the academic year. Jillian Sing, Kindergarten Teacher, reflects that “they’re (students) able to connect different concepts and vocabulary from lesson to lesson, especially with this spiraling sequence.”

With Innovamat, they have seen firsthand that all mathematical knowledge is interconnected, and these connections are encouraged in day-to-day lessons, moving beyond memorization to deep conceptual understanding. Teachers highlight how creating a more creative and collaborative learning environment has led to increased student participation, and boosted confidence in the classroom.

This is especially important when students are moving along to the next school year, where concepts are reviewed in more advanced lessons. Allison Tate, 1st grade teacher, really stresses this with her perspective:

“We were used to teaching a unit at a time to master a skill, and now we’re looking at it as more of a building process. At first I was skeptical, but it’s so comforting to see kids make those connections. Now I think it’s actually a better way to teach, because those kids who weren’t getting it in the previous unit never went back to it again.”

Teachers also highlight the curriculum’s emphasis on visual strategies, such as introducing the number line through manipulatives, which has significantly enhanced students’ ability to mentally work with numbers and solve problems efficiently. Teachers have observed significant improvements in students’ mathematical fluency and their capacity to elaborate on effective problem-solving strategies independently. Jenna Curry, 2nd Grade Teacher, excitingly notes:

“I’ve really noticed an increase in the way that they’re able to manipulate numbers in their minds, mentally solving addition and subtraction problems. It’s been amazing to see how they are able to use such efficient strategies to solve.”

Connecting Math to Life

Educators appreciate how the curriculum connects mathematical concepts to everyday-life scenarios, ensuring every lesson is relevant. This approach not only enhances student engagement but also deepens their understanding of mathematical concepts by placing them in meaningful contexts.

“One of the things that Innovamat does is it connects life to math, and it tries to make sure that everything that they do has a reason, has a why.”

Patrick Leary – Assistant Superintendent of Upper Freehold Regional School District

Perhaps most importantly, Innovamat is challenging the misconception that some students are inherently “math people” while others are not. By fostering a culture where every student can learn to think mathematically, teachers at Upper Freehold promote equity and encourage each student’s unique mathematical journey.

Rekindling Student Engagement and Teachers’ Passion

Student motivation and engagement in math have long been critical challenges for educators. That being said, these obstacles have been significantly mitigated since the adoption of Innovamat at Upper Freehold, where teachers have expressed significant appreciation for the students’ learning outcomes.

One of the most notable observations from the teachers is the heightened level of engagement in their classrooms. “In every classroom, every student is engaged throughout the entire lesson, and they are excited and motivated by what they’re learning,” shared Jeannie Leister, Math Interventionist. This sentiment was echoed by others, who noticed that students were often upset when lessons ended, especially in the case of the Adventures sessions that they enjoy so much. She goes on to add: “A lot of times when the lessons are over, especially the adventures, the kids are like, that’s it? It’s over? They absolutely love it.”

The program’s inquiry-based approach, which emphasizes student-led learning, initially required an adjustment period but has proven to be highly effective. As Jillian Sing, Kindergarten Teacher, noted:

“This program is definitely more discovery-based, so it’s more student-led, which was an adjustment at the beginning, but it’s been really cool to see how every student is understanding each lesson and what kind of concepts they’re bringing into it.”

Building Motivation through Confidence

Innovamat has also created a supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable and confident. “The children’s confidence has grown tremendously,’ remarked Allison Tate, 1st Grade Teacher. Innovamat’s flexibility in allowing students to approach problems in ways that work best for them was particularly appreciated. “In previous programs, it was you have to show us you can do it this way, and Innovamat allows kids to do it in a way that works for them,” she added.

Interestingly, the program has also reignited a passion for math among teachers. Many who previously preferred teaching other subjects now find joy in teaching math. Patrick Leary, Assistant Superintendent of Upper Freehold Regional School District, excitedly shares:

“Innovamat engaged our teachers and really worked with them to love math as well. A lot of our teachers came back and said, you know, I never had this opportunity, but now that I’m on the teaching side, I’m really growing to love math.”

Jenna Curry, 2nd grade teacher, shares:

“Personally, I feel like I’ve developed greater confidence in myself in teaching math using Innovamat. It’s really shifted me to open my eyes, to understand the why and how we solve math.”

This program has transformed teachers’ approaches, leading to more profound and enriched questioning techniques and a shift from traditional teaching roles to facilitator roles, ultimately with both students and educators benefiting. Moreover, the influence of Innovamat is evident in the increasing math-related conversations among students, beyond the classroom. “Just listening to conversations, having students talk about math and have math conversations in the hallway, in the classroom, in the lunchroom – we’ve never had that before,” Patrick Leary continues to add, highlighting the broader cultural shift towards embracing math.

It isn’t just numbers, it’s bigger than that

One of the most remarkable aspects of Innovamat’s approach is its commitment to differentiated instruction, allowing every student to thrive, regardless of their starting point.

This inclusive strategy, often described as a “low floor, high ceiling, wide walls” approach, aligned with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL), ensures that all students, from those in special education to general education, can engage with the curriculum in a meaningful way.

Rachael Graham, 2nd Grade Special Ed Teacher shares the teachers’ initial apprehension about this open-ended approach, and how this sentiment has evolved throughout the school year:

“I was nervous for the unknown, but my special education students really have grown, and they’re able to do the curriculum alongside of their general education peers. To see their success has been really exciting, it has been a proud moment for me. Innovamat to me, isn’t just numbers, it’s bigger than that.”

This growth is not limited to academic achievements but extends to fostering a supportive and collaborative classroom environment. By using the same program, students from different educational backgrounds can learn and succeed together. An example of this integration is described thusly by Jeannie Leister, Math Interventionist:

“And because they are using the same program as the students in the general education room, there was a day where the students from a homeroom were all together, and they were using the app together, and one of the students in the general education homeroom was struggling with one of the applets that one of the resource room students had figured out and had success with. So he was able to help that student, and that was just truly incredible to see that student have that moment to shine.”

The program’s flexibility also allows teachers to adapt lessons based on the unique needs of their students. Initially, teachers aimed to implement the provided materials with fidelity. However, as they grew more comfortable with Innovamat and received support from the Innovamat team, they began to tailor activities to better suit their students’ needs.

This adaptability has led to significant improvements in student participation and confidence. Additionally, this approach has allowed for meaningful communication with parents, highlighting their child’s progress in line with general education standards.

Innovamat’s differentiated instruction model not only nurtures individual student growth but also creates a more inclusive and collaborative learning environment. By accommodating various learning needs and promoting mutual support among students, Innovamat empowers every student to shine, reinforcing the idea that mathematics is for everyone.

The experiences of Upper Freehold teachers with Innovamat highlight the transformative potential of innovative educational approaches. By fostering a student-led, confidence-building, and engaging learning environment, Innovamat is not only enhancing students’ mathematical skills but also reigniting teachers’ passion for teaching. Its inclusive approach ensures that every student, regardless of their needs, can thrive and succeed in math. The future of math education now looks bright in Upper Freehold, NJ.

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