Everything You Need To Know About DynaMath’s Text Sets
Make the most of this unique online resource that works for any math student
By Catherine Wilshusen, Online Editor
Finding differentiated support for students of different learning levels can be challenging at times.
Which is why I’m so excited to tell you about DynaMath’s new text sets! These 29 collections are editor-curated and focus on a specific theme, math skill, or grade level. They’re easy to use, fun for students, and grade appropriate.
Want to know how to make the most of DynaMath’s text sets? Read on!
Text set basics: what are they and who can access them
Text sets are editor-curated collections of articles, videos, games, and skills sheets. There are math text sets, which focus on a specific math skill or grade level. We also have themed text sets, which show how math applies to STEM, social studies, sports, art, and more. Check out our full list here.
Teachers and students have access to the same articles, videos, and games when they are logged in. Teachers also have access to skills sheets, which they can assign or share along with the articles, videos, and games via a direct link or in Google Classroom. For more on how to share in Google Classroom, read this blog post.
Where do I find a text set?
Short answer: here! You can also navigate to the text sets page by clicking on “Text Sets” in the explore bar at the top of your screen. Then, browse by skill, theme, or template. Click on the collection you’d like to view, and you’re good to go!
Spotlight on: math text sets
Since we launched a few months ago, the math text sets have been the most popular. Specifically, teachers love our Word Problem Solving Strategies and Building Fraction Skills text sets. This makes sense with testing season coming up.
What I like about the Word Problem Solving Strategies text set is that it’s not just word problems! Students can read stories about animals, airplanes, and music. Or, they can watch short math videos if they need a solving strategy hint. Teachers have the ability to assign skills sheets explaining solving techniques, like identifying key information and determining which operation to use with the CUBES method. You can see what I mean below.
Using math text sets for differentiation
To help you meet the needs of each student, we have three grade-specific skill centers that cover a variety of topics for grade 3, grade 4, and grade 5. Each hub contains articles, videos, games, and skills sheets listed in order of difficulty.
Each of the other math skill sets include appropriate grade levels in the description. For example, our Building Fraction Skills text set is great for 3rd graders while the Fraction Operations text set is recommended for 4th and 5th graders.
Don’t forget that our teacher’s guides, which provide differentiation suggestions for students who are below level, on level, or above level. Simply find the article or lesson plan you’re looking for and see the list of activities and skills sheets you can use. For more on using our teacher’s guides, read this blog post.
Where are the answer keys?
You can access answers to the problems in an article by referring to the Teacher’s Guide or online answer key for that month. Both are located at the bottom of each article page in the teaching resources section.
For skills sheets, you can access the answer key using the direct link under each on the text set page (see right).
Have a text set idea? Please share it!
Some of the most innovative ideas come from teachers like you. So if you have an idea for a text set, please share in an email here! We’re adding new text sets all the time.
Want more elementary math education tips and news? Check out Scholastic's archive.
Catherine Wilshusen is the online editor of DynaMath, SuperScience, Scholastic MATH, and Science World—Scholastic’s STEM magazines.
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