Conceptual Learning Materials

How are the answers for cardstock exercises checked?

Written by Dianne

Included with each packet of cardstock materials is a "paper set" of answers. These may be placed in a separate binder for the student or teacher to access. 

How do I know what level applies?

Written by Dianne

Materials span multiple levels.  Medium blue in the Scope and Sequence chart indicates that the skill is typical for these particular grade levels.  However, the skill is frequently presented to younger children who have access to manipulatives or who would benefit from a challenge.  Of course, the skill is also needed by older children who have not yet mastered it. 

In what formats do cardstock materials come?

Written by Dianne

Formats include workpages with cutouts; two and three way matching cards; number lines and labels; sequencing cards; manipulatives, and free-response task cards. 

Is "Insights into Math Concepts" a complete program?

Written by Dianne

While teachers had no problem finding materials to help children memorize math facts and practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems, they had difficulty finding materials to help children discover underlying math concepts.  "Insights" was created to fulfill this need.  However, children still need to practice their facts and operations. 

May "Insights into Math Concepts" be photocopied and shared?

Written by Dianne

We ask that cardstock materials not be photocopied.  Blackline materials include copyright for a single site.  In other words, they may be copied for use within one school, learning center, or home.

What are blackline masters?

Written by Dianne

Blackline masters are used to make worksheets on which each child records his or her answers.  In other words, they provide a "workbook format" that always requires a free-response answer. 

What are discounted sets?

Written by Dianne

Discounted sets reflect a 15% discount when purchasing all the materials within a given level on the Scope and Sequence Chart. 

What are meant by the attributes "basic skill," "enrichment," and "support?"

Written by Dianne

"Basic skills" such as fraction concepts are in most curricula and are prerequisites to other basic skills.  "Enrichment" such as Roman Numerals refers to optional skills not required by many programs.  Of course, a younger student that undertakes any skill before it is "on level" is "enriched" by doing challenging work. "Support" refers to supplementary aids that may be useful to some classrooms, but are not needed by others. 

What are the advantages of cardstock materials?

Written by Dianne

Cardstock materials are very popular with the children.  They are appealing because they are colorful and because they come in many formats.  Moreover, cardstock materials can be used over and over again, by either a single child or by different children.  When organized in a classroom, resource center, or learning environment, it is easy for the child to access the materials independently. 

What do the colors mean?

Written by Dianne

Some colors are part of the product name,  Golden Beads (blue) and Order (pink) are examples.  In these cases, the colors have significance.  Blue is used for work with two-digit numbers, pink is for work with three-digits, and green is for four-digit work.  Gold is for tens.  Colors that are not part of the product name have been selected for their appeal to the children, but have no special significance. 

What have children achieved as a result of the program?

Written by Dianne

• A high percentage of children have gone on to excel in secondary and university math programs. A significant number have been highly successful in technical professions.
• Students with "math phobia" and limited backgrounds have gained a high level of confidence and achieved success in subsequent math programs.
  

What if cardstock "cutouts" are impractical in the student's learning environment?

Written by Dianne

Taskcards require little or no cutting.  Blackline masters may used to produce worksheets on which the student records his or her answers.  It is important to note that taskcards and blacklines are more abstract than "cut" material because they require free-response answers. 

What is "Insights into Math Concepts"?

Written by Dianne

"Insights into Math Concepts" is the math program published by Conceptual Learning Materials.  As the name implies, it focuses on concepts rather than mechanics and drill. 

What student preparation is needed?

Written by Dianne

Children must be shown how to be careful in their use and in their storage.  We recommend that work be done in a confined space, either on a table or on a floor mat.  After it is checked, it should be put in the appropriate container and stored properly.

What teacher preparation is required for cardstock materials?

Written by Dianne

If many different children are expected to use the material, lamination is recommended.

Much cardstock material is cut and organized in hardware drawers, sorters, or envelopes.  In all these instances, each piece has an identifying code; furthermore, suggestions and organization labels are included.  Taskcards require little or no cutting and are placed in sorters or files for the children to access.

When are blacklines recommended?

Written by Dianne

Blacklines include exactly the same problems as their cardstock counterpart.  However, certain values are omitted, and the student is required to "write them in."  Blacklines are appropriate as a follow-up to cardstock, as a diagnostic tool, homework problem, review, or an abstract classroom exercise.  Blacklines are also useful when cutting and organization of cardstock materials are not practical.  They are also appropriate in whole group instruction since the entire group is working on the same page. 

Why use materials that are cut and manipulated?

Written by Dianne

• Children love these materials and are much more excited about using them.
• Children's ability to reason usually precedes their ability or inclination to write.  Therefore concepts can be presented at an earlier age in more enjoyable formats.
• Manipulative cardstock is less threatening than written work.  Incorrect answers can merely be rearranged; writing, erasing and correcting is much more frustrating.