Where Rigor Meets Engagement

About Us

What is Math in the Fast Lane?

Math in the Fast Lane is different.

A touch-screen instructional math resource for every 3-8 classroom, teachers select tasks that are as engaging as they are rigorous. Organized by math concepts, Math in the Fast Lane is a research-based instructional framework that builds success in ALL students. Within the MFL framework, teachers utilize resources to build dynamic, 100% engagement lessons.

Looking for a great way to start a lesson? Just click or touch. A formative assessment to see what students know minute-by-minute? Touch here. A hands-on vocabulary sort? Print, cut, and bag for 100% student engagement. Some math gaps? There’s an entire section built to help students with gaps from the past.

About Math in the Fast Lane

Math in the Fast Lane is not a scripted program. Rather, our mission is to take something OFF of teachers’ shoulders by providing research-based resources they can incorporate into their lessons every day. Rather than use worksheets, students roll cubes with tasks or select problems on menus. Instead of copying glossary definitions, student use tactile sorts and play games.

More on the Math in the Fast Lane Framework:

Our math lessons are learning goal oriented. We open with our Standards Wall so that every student sees the connectivity of the concepts. Right out of the gate, students are engaged with robust real-world success starters, to get them fired up about the lesson. Vocabulary is integrated throughout the lessons, because students learn math terms through multiple, varied exposures. Our work period strategies and formative assessments are as thought-provoking as they are safe for students. Because to provide rich, immediate feedback, students need to share what they know on an ongoing basis. And if a student has gaps from the past, there’s an entire section of scaffolding devices so that they can learn today and move forward with their peers.

What makes Math in the Fast Lane so different is that self-efficacy and motivational techniques are built into learning components. We get at the root of what it takes to help students continue to work hard in math – to become genuinely successful. Students enjoy math with Math in the Fast Lane!

Components of the Math in the Fast Lane Instructional Framework:

  • Scaffolding in the context of new learning. We don’t believe in teaching in reverse. Instead, the focus is on grasping NEW concepts. Gaps in prerequisite skills are addressed via devices that enable students to move forward. (Hey, we’ve all got gaps!)
  • Success Starters that get every student off on the right track. No passive warm-ups here! Our lessons are designed to get students thinking and engaged the moment the lesson begins. Our strategies signal to learners that a) This is important and b) I can do it!
  • Minute-by-Minute Formative Assessments: Math in the Fast Lane utilizes strategies that allow teachers to SEE what students know. Immediate feedback moves learning, so we incorporate safe ways for students to share work so that together, learning goals are mastered.
  • Student Work Period: No tedious worksheets here! Students practice using highly visible techniques such as bow-ties, cubes, and menus.
  • Explicit Vocabulary: Mirroring vocabulary research, students utilize pictures, games, sorts, and other techniques that provide multiple exposures over time. In addition, TIP’s are provided for each concept.
  • Explicit Learning Goals: Essential Questions are not enough! We utilize Standards Walls that demonstrate the connectivity between concepts.
  • Acceleration: We know that students learn more effectively with some prior knowledge. In acceleration, teachers tactically provide prior knowledge to students with gaps in math BEFORE they learn the concept in their core class. At a click of a button, a plethora of resources are available for this critical work. Rather than stay behind, students move ahead.

Technology Needed:

Math in the Fast Lane is touch screen, which makes it perfect for smart-type boards. In addition, teachers have multiple log-ins, so that students can tap on along with their teachers, thus reducing the need for copying. Having said that, the resource works wonderfully in classrooms without smart-type boards. Teachers just click on their computers as they teach and images project.