Achievement and Accountability in Education SkillsTutor Content Overview July 2004

Proven, research-based instruction improves student achievement and tracks performance for students in grade 2 through adult. Over 1,100 online activities and lessons help teachers focus on core skills commonly found on standardized tests. Overview

Scope and Sequence 2 nd Grade – 8 th Grade 6 th Grade - Adult Math A,B,C Reading Comprehension LL,A,B,C Reading Vocabulary A,B,C Reading, Writing, Language Mathematics I, II, Algebra I Science I,II Information Skills Workforce Readiness Skills Click an arrow to learn about a subject series

Math A, B, C Lessons are separated into two parts: The Warm-Up and Review. Tests student’s skills, providing both pretests and posttests to make initial assessments and gauge student progress. Hints are provided to assist in individualized instruction. Basic Skill LessonsProblem-Solving Lessons Uses the 4-Step Problem Solving Plan. Steps provide a basic structure to the problem solving process. Offers students a methodology for solving application problems. Available after quizzes.

Target Grades Level A (3 rd & 4 th Grade) Understanding Numbers Using Addition and Subtraction Using Multiplication and Division Using Decimals and Fractions Working With Data Understanding Numbers Using Whole Numbers Using Decimals Using Fractions and Percents Working with Data Level B (5 th & 6 th Grade) Level C (7 th & 8 th Grade) Understanding Numbers Using Decimals Using Fractions and Percents Working with Data

Basic skill lessons provide real-life problems that are used to cover the concepts in each lesson. The Warm-Up

The real-life problem is then used as a basis for introducing students to the kinds of activities that will be presented in the Review. The Warm-Up

Students are given actual practice problems related to the concept introduced in the Warm-Up. The Review

In the Problem-Solving Lessons, students are introduced to the 4-Step Problem-Solving Plan. Learn

Next they are guided through a specific problem using the plan. Guided Through

They are given an opportunity to review the plan before solving their own problems. Review

Finally students will answer questions that ask them to consider various methods of solution and require them to use critical thinking to extend their understanding of what they’ve learned. Solve

Worksheets Worksheets serve to test the student’s comprehension of the lesson. Word problems are provided for added practice and challenges students with a creative writing or artistic exercise. The focus is on applications and connections with other areas of the curriculum. menuend

Reading Vocabulary A, B, C Comprehensive coverage of more than 1,000 words. Units are broadly based on mathematics and science, social studies, family and consumer sciences, and other topics of interest to students. Variety of building activities introduce and reinforce vocabulary related to these topics. Lessons are built around a set of seven to ten words. Vocabulary words are introduced in story-centered activities as well as a variety of shorter, fast-paced activities which encourage students to practice using a new vocabulary word in context.

Target Grades Level A (3 rd & 4 th Grade) Mathematics & Science Social Studies Family & Consumer Sciences Student Life Hobbies & Activities Special Words Level C (7 th & 8 th Grade) Level B (5 th & 6 th Grade) 6 Topic Areas

3 Parts to Every Lessons The Warm-Up The Quiz The Review

Interaction Types Lesson Components Context Sentence Multiple-Meaning Sentence Similar Sentences Clickable Scene Categories Paragraph Imagine Predict Analogy Non-Definitions Match a Word to a Synonym or Antonym Match a Word to a Clue or an Example Match a Graphic to a Word, Phrase, or Sentence

Story-centered activities are used to determine key words that need to be addressed in each lesson The Warm-Up

Students practice using all of the lesson's vocabulary words with special emphasis given to words missed in the Warm-Up. The Review

Allows students to research any words in the vocabulary list. The Word Library

Upon completing the Review, students are quizzed on five words from the lesson. The Quiz

Worksheets Worksheets serve to test the student’s comprehension of the lesson. They include a synopsis of the article from the lessons and include suggestions for creative writing or art projects related to the lessons. menuend

Reading Comprehension LL, A, B, C Content area reading lessons are built around informative social studies articles. Lessons are introduced with screens that includes a map and/or timeline to help frame the lesson topic for students. Several short activities encourage students to begin thinking about the lesson topic. While reading an article, students perform several activities designed to pace their reading and encourage comprehension. Upon completion of the article, students reinforce comprehension through a variety of engaging interactions. Worksheets may be printed for students to extend the computer activity or as a homework assignment.

Target Grades Level 1 (3 rd & 4 th Grade) Communities Native Americans Customs and Traditions People Who Made a Difference Science and Technology Early Civilizations The Early Colonies American Revolution Civil War North American Countries and Cultures Past Civilizations Westward Expansion Civil War Life Around the World U.S. Government Level 2 (5 th & 6 th Grade)Level 3 (7 th & 8 th Grade) Level LL (2 rd & 3 th Grade) Health Countries & Regions Animals Holidays The United States

6 Critical Comprehension Skills Reading Lessons & Skill Lessons Main Idea Important Details Author’s Purpose Cause and Effect Sequencing Inference

Interaction Types Lesson Components Idea Web Cloze Passage Prediction Purpose for Reading Click on Text Evaluation Questions Main Idea Chart Supporting Details Chart Text Sequencing Comic Strip Multiple-Choice Question with Single Correct Answer Multiple-Choice Question with Several Correct Answers

Designed to activate students’ prior knowledge and to build their readiness for reading. Before-Reading Interaction Idea Web

Designed to help students pace their reading and ask themselves questions as they read, to ensure they are understanding the text. During-Reading Interaction Evaluation Questions

Check the students’ comprehension of the reading material and reinforce knowledge of the six critical comprehension skills targeted in the program. After-Reading Interaction Prediction

Worksheets Worksheets serve to test the student’s comprehension of the articles. They provide suggestions for drawing, crafts, or performance activities related to the article. menuend

Research-Based Content Ensures Alignment Reading* Vocabulary Building Word Knowledge Reading Comprehension Language Arts* Capitalization Grammar & Usage Punctuation Spelling Writing* Language Mechanics Language Usage Sentence Structure Clear Writing & Paragraphs 6 th Grade - Adult Mathematics I* Number Concepts Computation Word Problems Measurement & Geometry Mathematics II* Proportion & Percent Intro to Algebra Geometry Statistics & Probability Algebra I Equations, Inequalities, & Polynomials Factoring and Rational Expressions Functions, Graphing, & Systems of Equations Science I Life Science Physical Science Earth Science Science II Biology Chemistry Physics Information Skills * Using Dictionaries & Books Using References Using consumer Information Using Maps, Charts & Graphs *Spanish Voice Option

Provide a brief, interactive tutorial of a single, well defined rule or concept, with visually stimulating graphics and audio to meet a variety of learning styles. Basic Skill Lessons Tutorials are followed by a number of multiple choice problems that reinforce the subject and contain hints and feedback of the original concept.

Usually following a comprehensive quiz, these lessons begin with a scenario or story that presents a problem. This theme is carried throughout the entire lesson and the problem is solved as the lesson progresses. Thinking Skill Lessons The opening scenario or story is followed by a discussion of the thinking skill needed to solve the problem. Students are then instructed in a step-by-step thinking process that can be used in general problem-solving scenarios.

Lessons begin with one or more screens that review and define a concept. Basic Skill Lessons

Hints are available to help reinforce the concept. Students can also go back and review the initial concept at any time. Basic Skill Lessons

Feedback is given for both incorrect and correct answers. Basic Skill Lessons

The opening story or scenario presents a problem to solve that is carried though the entire lesson. It pulls together concepts learned from previous lessons. Thinking Skill Lessons

Step by step instructions are provided for solving the skill along with a series of questions which requires the steps to be used. Thinking Skill Lessons

Worksheets Worksheets are provided for each Thinking Skill lesson. They may be used to extend the computer activity or as a homework assignment. menuend

Supplemental Instruction and Workforce Education for the Internet and CD-Rom Sales: Customer Service: Technical Support: