Common Core Content Standards:

Core Focus on Math provides teachers and students a rigorous Common Core State Standards (CCSS) Curriculum for grades 6, 7, 8 and high school Algebra I.  Each block addresses specific learning targets based on the Common Core State Standards.  The CCSS Critical Areas are the prominent emphasis of the curriculum.  Connections are made throughout the content at each grade level to prior, current and future grade level topics.

Download the standards alignment documents for each stage.

Common Core Standards for Mathematical Practice

The Core Focus on Math series embeds the eight Standards for Mathematical Practice throughout each lesson and text. Two to five Math Practice standards are highlighted in each lesson. In this teacher’s edition, teachers are given tips on how to highlight these Math Practices using the warm-ups, Explores!, examples, exercises and communication prompts. 

Shifts of the Common Core State Standards

Core Focus on Math addresses the three shifts of the Common Core State Standards:

  • FOCUS – The content in Core Focus on Math focuses on the Priority Clusters in the Common Core State Standards as defined by Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) and the Partnership for Assessment  of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC).
  • COHERENCE – Each book in the Core Focus on Math series connects vertically with standards at each grade level as well as make connections within a grade level with appropriate topics.
  • RIGOR – Core Focus on Math goes deep into the focus areas by teaching for conceptual understanding, procedural skill/fluency and application.  Students are given opportunities to understand the “why” behind the mathematics, practice for procedural skill and apply the math in appropriate real-world settings.