Hammer Math

Hammer Math Curriculum

Hammer Math is a hands-on, 40-classroom-hour program designed for students in grades four through nine. Hammer Math focuses on conceptual development of student understanding in:

• Geometry
• Rational numbers, specifically fractions
• Measurement
• Pre-algebraic thinking

Program applications include: curriculum supplement, after-school tutoring, Saturday school, or summer school.

Hammer Math Institute

The Hammer Math Institute, a three day professional development institute for teachers, aligns with the National Staff Development Council (NSDC) standards. The program also embodies research findings from the Horizon Research Group regarding professional development for mathematics. Topics covered during the Institute include:

• Mathematical Content
• Rational numbers, specifically fractions
• Measurement
• Pre-algebraic thinking
• Instructional Techniques
• Classroom Management
• Group work
• Use and Management of manipulatives, including The Big Inch
• Assessment tasks
• The Use of the If I Had a Hammer Program in the Classroom

Hammer Math Coaching (Optional)

In addition to the Hammer Math Institute, classroom-based coaching is available for teachers who will be implementing Hammer Math. Coaching meets the needs of teachers who want to see effective mathematics practices in their own classrooms and schools.

Hammer Math Instructional Coaching includes collaborative planning between the teacher and a highly experienced Modern Red SchoolHouse Coach, model teaching observations, and feedback sessions. As a result, Hammer Math Coaching provides teachers with contextualized professional development to fit their needs.

Hammer Math Activities

Hammer Math Activities are available online for Hammer teachers to download and use as a supplement to existing curriculum or to Hammer Math. Activities are presented by grade band: 3-4, 5-6, 7-9.

• Labs
• Hands-on exploration
• Tasks
• Writing tasks
• Problems that use non-routine problem-solving strategies
• Problems with real-life application
• Variety of response modes: numerical, expanded response, multiple response
• Assessments
• Flexibility in classroom assessments

Hammer Math—What You Get

• One year unlimited site license to the Hammer Math curriculum
• Three-day on-site Hammer Math Institute for all mathematics teachers
• Access to online or digital files of Hammer Math activities to supplement classroom instruction
• Classroom supply of The Big Inch manipulatives

Hammer House Builds (optional)

The Hammer Field Trip is an optional activity. For schools that have access to a Hammer House, students may participate in a Hammer Field Trip. During this 2 ½-hour field trip, students wear tool belts and goggles and work as a group to assemble the 8′ x 11′ Hammer House, under the supervision of the Hammer Boss.