© Summit Math 2020

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 GUIDED DISCOVERY

STUDENT-CENTERED LEARNING

MATH BOOKS

FOR

THE

Learn math in a guided discovery format. Summit Math books are for curious students who want learning to feel like a journey. These "teaching textbooks" are designed to let students learn at their own pace.

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The scenarios are arranged to show how new math concepts are related to previous concepts they have already learned. Students naturally learn at different paces and these books help teachers manage flexible pacing in their classes.

See what parents, teachers and students are saying about Summit Math Books.

Learn more about these books and how they can help teachers and students.

ALGEBRA 1 SERIES

second edition

7 Books.  760+ pages.  1,900+ scenarios.

ALGEBRA 2 SERIES

second edition

8 Books.  880+ pages.  2,100+ scenarios.

 

TESTIMONIALS

      PARENTS 

FROM

“ My children have been using Summit Math books for the past three years and I can’t say enough about these books. The books are thoughtful and purposefully laid out to support all types of learners so that when students feel comfortable with certain topics they can move ahead at their own pace and those students needing more support can find ample practice questions. The classwork sections are supplemented by homework problem sets so students are able to extensively practice and reinforce the topics learned. The answer key allows students to check their work and correct mistakes independently. Each book builds off the other and there is a cumulative review section at the end so students can ensure they are comprehensively learning the material. As an aside, I value that they are light and easy to travel with. I highly recommend these books to eager math students.”

FROM

TESTIMONIALS

      STUDENTS 

“ The Summit Math books are unlike typical textbooks. They allow students like myself to truly grasp the topics in each book. It doesn't matter how you learn or what speed you go at, these books are made so you can learn at your own pace while still understanding all the material. You have to make sure to check the answer key after each problem, try to figure out what you did right or wrong, and if needed, ask a teacher/peer for help. These books make learning math enjoyable.”

TESTIMONIALS

       TEACHERS 

FROM

“ Summit Math emphasizes understanding concepts rather than memorizing rules.  Students are encouraged to share their thoughts to help classmates understand the underlying concepts of a problem.  Students take ownership while acquiring the necessary skills to solve meaningful math problems, and they share great pride, and a sense of accomplishment, for their collaborative efforts.”

 

ABOUT THE

BOOKS 

LEARNING MATH THROUGH GUIDED DISCOVERY:

Guided Discovery is designed to help you experience a sense of discovery as you learn each new topic.

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WHY THIS CURRICULUM IS NAMED SUMMIT MATH:

Learning through Guided Discovery can be compared to climbing a mountain.  Climbing and learning both require effort and persistence.  In both activities, people naturally move at different paces, but they can reach the summit if they keep moving forward.  Whether you race rapidly through these books or step slowly through each scenario, this curriculum is designed to keep advancing your learning until you reach the end of the book.

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GUIDED DISCOVERY SCENARIOS:

The Guided Discovery Scenarios in each book are written and arranged to show you that new math concepts are related to previous concepts you have already learned.  Try to fully understand each scenario before moving on to the next one.  To do this, try the scenario on your own first, check your answer when you finish, and then fix any mistakes, if needed.  Making mistakes and struggling are essential parts of the learning process.

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HOMEWORK & EXTRA PRACTICE SCENARIOS:

After you complete the scenarios in each Guided Discovery section, you may think you know those topics well, but over time, you will forget what you have learned.  Extra practice will help you develop better retention of each topic.  Use the Homework and Extra Practice Scenarios to improve your understanding and to increase your ability to retain what you have learned.

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THE ANSWER KEY:

The Answer Key is included to promote learning.  When you finish a scenario, you can get immediate feedback.  When the Answer Key is not enough to help you fully understand a scenario, you should try to get additional guidance from another student or a teacher.

BENEFITS FOR

TEACHERS 

Less full-class lecturing = More 1-on-1 helping.  Move around the room as students learn.

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Differentiate instruction.  Diverse students naturally learn at diverse paces.  While students work through the scenarios in each book, their readiness can determine their pace.

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Facilitate cooperative learning groups. When students share their ideas, the teacher is no longer the only person students can go to for help.

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New to teaching?  The books arrange topics in a logical order.  Let them help you plan your lessons.

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When these books guide student learning, the class size can feel smaller, because some students may need minimal guidance.

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The books spiral back to previous content, making students look back as they move forward.

BENEFITS FOR

Students can learn math at different paces and they can work in groups to learn with other students.

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Students write in the books, reducing the challenge of taking notes while listening to a teacher talk.

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Some students can learn each topic without additional guidance from a teacher.

 

Students who need extra help can get 1-on-1 help from their teacher or work through their classmates to resolve confusion.

 

STUDENTS 

ABOUT THE

AUTHOR

Alex Joujan, M.S.Ed

Alex Joujan is a faculty member at The Pingry School in Basking Ridge, NJ where he has been teaching since 2011. During this time he has been the recipient of two awards for his teaching. Alex started writing his own resources in 2013 to improve the learning experience in his classroom. This project developed into the Summit Math series of books, so named to reflect that his curriculum is like hiking; although hiking requires effort and persistence, people can hike at different paces and still reach the summit of the hike. Similarly, Summit Math books are designed to guide students toward a mastery of each topic, while allowing students to learn at their own pace.

 

Alex was born in Mukinge, Zambia and moved to Chattanooga, TN when he was 5. His family moved to TN after his father died in a car accident, and he is grateful to the many people who guided him through his childhood. His decision to pursue a career in teaching was partially motivated by his appreciation for the impact that his teachers had in his life. In 2005, he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics from Muhlenberg College. In 2006, he earned his M.S. Ed. from the University of Pennsylvania. In 2006, he was also awarded a 5-year teaching fellowship from the Knowles Teacher Initiative.

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Alex hopes his curriculum writing efforts play a part in improving the learning experience for both teachers and students.