VersaTiles Math Labs

I am a remedial mathematics instructor at Beauvoir Elementary. The program is called "Math Lab" and serves regular education students in grades 2 - 5, who are in need of extra help in mathematics. Math Lab is highly successful and students beg to be in the program because of the hands-on fun learning that goes on. Students learn important mathematical concepts and skills using concrete materials/manipulatives and games. Many teachers at my school come to borrow materials to use in their own classrooms and parents take advantage of being able to come borrow materials to use with their children at home as well. The mathematics materials I am requesting through this proposal is VersaTiles Math Labs. I currently have a limited set but need more strands of mathematics and more grade levels to be able to accommodate my students and to be able to make it accessible to teachers and parents at my school. I have been using the limited set (starter set) of Versatiles for many years and the kids really enjoy them. It is interesting to me to see how they use the word "play" to describe when we use Versatiles in class. The children see it as more of a game than class work. I have found VersaTiles to be a great tool in class for two big reasons. First, it helps in differentiating the lesson. I can set kids to a task with the Versatiles who are either accelerated or in need of remediation and that allows me to work with some students individually. Second, they are so engaging that my kids like "playing" with the Versatiles. Having them like doing mathematics is a really happy thing for me. VersaTiles is a highly successful supplemental math program that combines a captivating challenge of a puzzle with the purposeful practice of a significant mathematical concept or skill - instead of using just a worksheet. It offers activities that students can practice skills independently and at their own pace or with a partner or small cooperative group. But more than that, VersaTiles gives students immediate feedback when they check their answers so they can correct mistakes on their own! It's very effective in making skills practice fun and effective! VersaTiles Labs include: (for each grade level) . 40 Colorful, Nonconsumable Student Activity Books provide practice and reinforcement with standards-based, leveled activities (five copies each of eight titles). . Comprehensive Teacher's Resource Guide features classroom management tips, assessment options, student/class record charts, blackline masters, benchmark activities, Scope and Sequence, and eight reproducible Formal Tests with answer keys and correlations to the Activity Books. . 10 Self-Correcting Answer Cases . Companion CD-ROM features all the self-checking activities from the Student Books. Set up an interactive VersaTiles Center on the classroom computer. Five Math Strands are included throughout each grade level to match NCTM Standards (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics), which include: . Number and Number Concepts . Estimation and Computation . Patterns, Functions, and Algebra . Geometry and Measurement . Statistics and Probability Teacher benefits include: . Maximizes instructional time with minimal preparation and supervision . Allows teachers to work with small groups while other students are engaged in individualized purposeful practice . A positive learning environment is created by students' success . Easy to implement into our curriculum . Helps improve student test scores Student Benefits: . Fun and easy to use . Self-correcting format allows students to make mistakes without fear of embarrassment . Self-directed, so students can work independently and at their own pace . Colorful and engaging, while providing skill reinforcement . Builds students' self-confidence and desire to learn