• Overview
• Visual Mathematics
  • Components
  • Sample Materials
• Algebra Through Visual Patterns
• Math and the Mind's Eye

Visual Math Components

Each of the three courses in the Visual Math series contains dozens of lessons and a complete year-long plan with regular homework assignments, embedded assessment, and practical suggestions for implementation.

The core materials for each of the Visual Math courses are the Teachers Guides and a manipulative kit. We also strongly recommend Starting Points for Implementing Visual Mathematics, a teacher resource guide covering all three courses.

Teachers Guides

Teachers Guides contain the Visual Math lessons which include linkages to previous lessons, follow up activities, a description of the "big idea," assessment activities, suggestions for parent communication, and other useful information. See Sample Materials for examples within course chapters.

Visual Math Course I

Course I is designed for grades 5 or 6. It may also be used in grades 6-8 with students who are exploring visual mathematics for the first time. Students explore number theory, algebraic reasoning, fractions, decimals and whole numbers, geometry and measurement, probability, statistics, percent, and graphing.

Visual Math Course II

Course II is for use in grades 6 or 7 with students who have completed Visual Mathematics Course I, or in grades 7-9 with students who are not familiar with visual mathematics. Visual Mathematics Course II reviews and extends ideas from Course I. New concepts include surface area and volume, variables and formulas, solving equations, operations.

Visual Math Course III / Math Alive!

Course III is intended for use by teachers in grades 7 or 8 whose students have completed Visual Mathematics Course II, or in grades 8-10 with students who are new to visual mathematics.

Visual Mathematics Course III Math Alive! covers three primary topics:

• Algebra - including arithmetic sequences, linear and quadratic functions, and use of a graphing calculator.
• Geometry - including symmetry, isometries, constructions, and measurement formulas.
• Statistics and Probability - including data analysis, experimental and theoretical probability, counting, statistical plots, and mean, median, and mode. 

Starting Points

Starting Points for Implementing Visual Mathematics is based on the classroom experiences of the authors and other teachers using these materials. Its purpose is to provoke discussion, questions, and new ideas that help teachers design strategies for implementing the program. Topics include philosophy, roles, classroom climate, communication, and teacher growth. See Sample Materials for examples of the content.