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Building Blocks for Math

Product or Programme · All products and programmes
Evidence · 8 claims (6 for, 2 mixed) · 5 studies (4 causal, 1 quant-synthesis), q3–q4 · 5 of 5 report an effect size · 7 claims rest on one study

Description

A preschool mathematics curriculum from SRA Real Math that sequences instruction and software tasks along empirically based learning trajectories linking children's informal mathematical knowledge to formal concepts.

Components

  • Empirically based learning trajectories as the organizing framework of Building Blocks for Math: The curriculum is structured around "empirically based learning trajectories (i.e., what is appropriate for children at that age in terms of mathematics)", sequenced according to children's developmental progression. The software's management system presents tasks contingent on success along these research-based trajectories, and teacher training emphasized learning trajectories via a web-based application called Building Blocks Learning Trajectories. The framework connects children's informal math knowledge to more formal mathematical concepts. (SRA Real Math Building Blocks PreK (2007))
  • Building Blocks computer activities with automatic adjustment: The Building Blocks computer activities are learning tasks related to the day's mathematics topic that "automatically adjust when children progress well or need additional help." Children worked on them individually during center time, often while teachers led small-group instruction, for approximately 10–15 minutes twice per week. The report notes they are recommended (but not required) for effective implementation, and an online subscription can be purchased per student. (Building Blocksâ"¢)
  • Building Blocks preschool mathematics curriculum: Building Blocks is a mathematics curriculum that "aims to develop preschool children’s knowledge of mathematics using activities that are intentionally sequenced based on the developmental progression of children’s mathematical learning." It includes whole- and small-group instruction, center activities, and computer activities, plus weekly family letters, with teacher support through professional development. Activities were implemented over 26 to 30 weeks in the reviewed studies. (Building Blocksâ"¢)
  • Building Blocks multi-context implementation pattern: whole-group, small-group, centers, computer activities, and family letters: The curriculum distributes mathematics learning across several classroom contexts: whole-group instruction during circle time (approximately 5–15 minutes, four or five times per week), small-group instruction with 3 to 6 children (approximately 10–15 minutes, two or three times per week), hands-on center activities, and computer activities that "automatically adjust when children progress well or need additional help." Weekly family/caregiver letters describe the mathematics and home activities. This pattern lets teachers adapt activities to children's developmental levels while other children work independently. (page:designs/building-blocks-multi-context-implementation-pattern)
  • Build early education quality on ten research-based building blocks, from whole-child assessment to quality rating and improvement systems: Drawing on its prior report The Building Blocks of High-Quality Early Childhood Education Programs, the report specifies "the key elements of quality" in programs with exemplary results. These include "Using early learning standards and curricula that address noncognitive as well as cognitive dimensions of children's experiences," assessing the whole child, preparing and coaching teachers, attending to varying needs including English language learners, engaging families, providing sufficient learning time, small classes and low ratios, program-level assessments, and a quality rating and improvement system used for improvement and accountability. (Wechsler et al. (2016))

Claims

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Key Sources

  • SRA Real Math Building Blocks PreK. (2007). WWC Intervention Report. What Works Clearinghouse, U.S. Department of Education. http://www.gse.buffalo.edu/org/buildingblocks/
  • What Works Clearinghouse, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. (2023, December). Building Blocks. https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/InterventionReport/733
  • What Works Clearinghouse, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. (2023, December). Building Blocks. https://whatworks.ed.gov
Page metadata
Field Value
type product
id building-blocks-for-math
aliases building-blocks
title Building Blocks for Math
description A preschool mathematics curriculum from SRA Real Math that sequences instruction and software tasks along empirically based learning trajectories linking children's informal mathematical knowledge to formal concepts.
status review
moved_from theory/building-blocks-learning-trajectories
product_kind curriculum
generated by process:sweep-kinds on 2026-10-10
trust unverified — no one has confirmed this page's content
sources 2 — sra-real-math-building-blocks-prek-2007, what-works-clearinghouse-institute-of

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