We created BeCALM, the Beginning Curriculum for Adults Learning Math, for students who need to learn and understand beginning-level math concepts for the first time. BeCALM grew out of CALM, our Curriculum for Adults Learning Math. Both CALM and BeCALM represent a shift from a traditional procedural approach to a conceptual approach where students construct understanding through hands-on activities and group work. CALM contains a progression of units and lessons appropriate for learners in adult basic education (ABE) through adult secondary education (ASE)-level classes. BeCALM is designed for adult students who need math instruction at GLE 2-4 (CCRSAE B/C).

With BeCALM, these students will improve their understanding of themselves as math learners, learn skills that can help them now, and build a solid foundation for later math study. All of the strategies for teaching rigorously and conceptually to other levels of students also apply to students at this level. Memorization and drills are the lowest form of cognitive challenge, and do not help students build their conceptual understanding or higher order problem-solving skills. Students at GLE 2-4 need cognitively-challenging tasks and benefit from visuals, manipulatives and games, as well as meaningful applications of math to their lives.

The BeCALM approach is to honor and center student thinking by:

  1. Exploring multiple ways of solving a problem
  2. Developing conceptual understanding of basic operations and other beginning math content
  3. Providing opportunities to apply math to relevant adult contexts

All of the teaching strategies we promote are appropriate for students at GLE 2-4. Many of these teaching strategies have a basis in Universal Design for Learning, such that they can help make math accessible to learners with various learning challenges and disabilities. Connections to the Standards for Mathematical Practice, Teaching Skills That Matter (TSTM), and the College and Career Readiness Standards for Adult Education (CCRSAE) are fully integrated into BeCALM.

There are 7 BeCALM units, each of which:

  • contains a Teacher’s Guide and Student Packet
  • is available for download as Word or PDF
  • is available in English or Spanish builds a conceptual understanding of math skills and provides opportunities for applying those skills to areas such as Civics, Financial Literacy, and Health Literacy
  • is designed for in-person classroom teaching and adaptable to remote teaching*

*BeCALM Measurement and Data is recommended for in-person teaching only

Explore the BeCALM Curriculum!

About the Authors

BeCALM was developed with funding from the MA Public Adult Education Professional Development System by the SABES Mathematics and Adult Numeracy Curriculum & Instruction Team, which is managed by the Adult Numeracy Center at TERC, Inc.

TERC is a nonprofit made up of teams of math and science education and research experts dedicated to innovation and creative problem solving. At the frontier of theory and practice, TERC’s work encompasses research, content and curriculum development, technology innovation, professional development, and program evaluation. TERC has a passion for social justice and strives to create level playing fields for all learners, reaching more than three million students every year.