EDC Curriculum, App Win Awards at 2015 New England Book Show

Description

Two EDC instructional resources—the Grades 6-10 Transition to Algebra curriculum published by Heinemann and the free, related SolveMe Mobiles app—have won 2015 New England Book Show awards. For 58 years, the New England Book Show has recognized “outstanding work done by New England publishers, printers, graphic designers, and developers.” At a May 5 ceremony held at Symphony Hall in Boston, Bookbuilders of Boston conferred the awards to the two EDC resources and other 2015 winners chosen for their “design, quality of materials, and workmanship” from over 350 entries to this year’s show. Both the Transition to Algebra curriculum and SolveMe Mobiles won "best in category" awards.

Written by June Mark, Paul Goldenberg, Mary Fries, Jane Kang, and Tracy Cordner, the Transition to Algebra curriculum won in the New England Book Show’s Elementary-High School (EL-HI) category. Supported by a new companion book for teachers (Making Sense of Algebra), Transition to Algebra builds on EDC's long history of developing curriculum and professional development focused on fostering mathematical habits of mind, presents algebra as a commonsense and understandable subject, and supports students in using their own logic to make sense of and succeed in mathematics.

EDC’s SolveMe Mobiles app won in the New England Book Show’s Digital Media category. Developed by Nathan Dinsmore, Mary Fries, Paul Goldenberg, Jane Kang, June Mark, Deborah Spencer, and Rebecca Driscoll, SolveMe Mobiles engages puzzlers ages 6 to adult in learning how to solve equations in a fun, visual, and interactive way. The app was inspired by the research and development of both Transition to Algebra and EDC’s K–5 Think Math! curriculum.

“We are honored that the New England Book Show jury selected Transition to Algebra and SolveMe Mobiles to receive these distinguished awards,” said June Mark. “Although the curriculum and app are being used throughout the U.S., the resources were developed right here at EDC in Waltham and field-tested in Massachusetts with the Commonwealth’s middle school students. It means so much to receive this recognition in EDC’s ‘own backyard’.”