MATHNASIUM LVL 1 NEW HIRE
TRAINING QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
WITH SOLUTIONS 2024
Prescriptives/PKs are - ANSWER Normally grade-level, can be found at the beginning of a student's
packet, focus on weaker skills
They have instructional pages to help guide instructors/students
The last page of a PK section is a Mastery Check
Focus Ons/FOs are - ANSWER Additional practice not necessarily grade level that provide more depth on
a subject rather than allowing the student to advance too far into other subjects
A code is found at the bottom of the page
The Workout Book/WoB - ANSWER Focuses on student's number sense, mathematical thinking, and
problem solving skills based on a student's understanding of number sense
Has space for star punch at the top of each page
The Learning Plan/LP is - ANSWER Created after each student's assessment; they take their first one
upon joining the center, and re-assess as necessary, at which point they will get a new LP
LP's determine what the student already knows, what they need help in, and what they will be working
towards
Checkups - ANSWER Work on grade level skills and concepts
Mastery Checks or MCs - ANSWER Ensure if a student is ready to move on to the next subject
The student must complete the MC independently and get most of the questions right on the 1st or
second try
Found at the end of each group of PK's
Get them to self-correct/check work
Have a challenge section that may earn them extra stars
Notes to CD if struggled
, Socratic Questioning is - ANSWER Asking the students questions in order to understand concepts
themselves
Should be done when student has some prereq understanding and can figure some things out on their
own
Direct Teaching is - ANSWER A lecture approach which should last around 1-2 mins for younger students
or 3-5 mins for older students, telling them directly about the math
Should be used when student needs more explanation like with a completely new subject
How does the Mathnasium hour work? - ANSWER The Mathnasium hour is split into Check in, PK's, WoB,
HW (sometimes, on backside), and Check-Out on the Session Wheel. The spinner is set to the student's
Check-in time in order to measure how long they've spent on each subject so instructors can monitor
transitions accordingly and make sure they've spent the right amount of time on everything and that the
hour is going smoothly.
What happens during check-in? - ANSWER Instructor records check-in time and records homework info
and PK/FO/WoB goals for session
Mathnasium 10 Rules of Engagement (1) - ANSWER Mathnasium Teaching Constructs/Icons=guides
1. Use the Mathnasium teaching constructs. Use the Teaching Icons as guides.
Mathnasium 10 Rules of Engagement (2) - ANSWER Avoid repeating/Use another/Don't force
2. Do not repeat an explanation if it is not working. Try another approach. Do not force students to keep
working on material they have already mastered.
Repetition without expectation
Simplify questions
Mathnasium 10 Rules of Engagement (3) - ANSWER Prereq when trouble/Extend when understand
TRAINING QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
WITH SOLUTIONS 2024
Prescriptives/PKs are - ANSWER Normally grade-level, can be found at the beginning of a student's
packet, focus on weaker skills
They have instructional pages to help guide instructors/students
The last page of a PK section is a Mastery Check
Focus Ons/FOs are - ANSWER Additional practice not necessarily grade level that provide more depth on
a subject rather than allowing the student to advance too far into other subjects
A code is found at the bottom of the page
The Workout Book/WoB - ANSWER Focuses on student's number sense, mathematical thinking, and
problem solving skills based on a student's understanding of number sense
Has space for star punch at the top of each page
The Learning Plan/LP is - ANSWER Created after each student's assessment; they take their first one
upon joining the center, and re-assess as necessary, at which point they will get a new LP
LP's determine what the student already knows, what they need help in, and what they will be working
towards
Checkups - ANSWER Work on grade level skills and concepts
Mastery Checks or MCs - ANSWER Ensure if a student is ready to move on to the next subject
The student must complete the MC independently and get most of the questions right on the 1st or
second try
Found at the end of each group of PK's
Get them to self-correct/check work
Have a challenge section that may earn them extra stars
Notes to CD if struggled
, Socratic Questioning is - ANSWER Asking the students questions in order to understand concepts
themselves
Should be done when student has some prereq understanding and can figure some things out on their
own
Direct Teaching is - ANSWER A lecture approach which should last around 1-2 mins for younger students
or 3-5 mins for older students, telling them directly about the math
Should be used when student needs more explanation like with a completely new subject
How does the Mathnasium hour work? - ANSWER The Mathnasium hour is split into Check in, PK's, WoB,
HW (sometimes, on backside), and Check-Out on the Session Wheel. The spinner is set to the student's
Check-in time in order to measure how long they've spent on each subject so instructors can monitor
transitions accordingly and make sure they've spent the right amount of time on everything and that the
hour is going smoothly.
What happens during check-in? - ANSWER Instructor records check-in time and records homework info
and PK/FO/WoB goals for session
Mathnasium 10 Rules of Engagement (1) - ANSWER Mathnasium Teaching Constructs/Icons=guides
1. Use the Mathnasium teaching constructs. Use the Teaching Icons as guides.
Mathnasium 10 Rules of Engagement (2) - ANSWER Avoid repeating/Use another/Don't force
2. Do not repeat an explanation if it is not working. Try another approach. Do not force students to keep
working on material they have already mastered.
Repetition without expectation
Simplify questions
Mathnasium 10 Rules of Engagement (3) - ANSWER Prereq when trouble/Extend when understand
