Your Guide to Symphony Math
Now that you have an account, you can start to use your Data Dashboard to help guide your use of Symphony Math.
This document provides an overview of the student experience in Symphony Math. You will receive a few other emails as your students use the program, but the information below is a great start. Take a few minutes to read (and watch). You won't regret it.
Fall, Winter, and Spring
Assessment and Placement
When students start Symphony Math for the first time, they complete an independent assessment that serves these two purposes:
- provides a baseline for measuring math growth through the school year; and
- places the student into the Symphony Math curriculum.
A preview of assessment items during a typical testing session.
The assessment is self-administered, and should take about 20 minutes to complete. If students are interrupted during the assessment, they will pick up where they left off during their next session. For more information on assessments, see our Overview or consult the Teacher Guide.
After the assessment, students are placed into the Symphony Math curriculum based on their performance. Regardless, every student will start the instructional program below grade level so that we can ensure they have the requisite foundations before working on grade level material.
Click here for more details on automatic placement.
Student Journals: A Key to Success
Checkpoints
When students complete a Stage of Symphony Math, they come to a Checkpoint. Checkpoints are opportunities for knowledge transfer, and give both students and teachers a chance to use mastered skills in a different context.
The Checkpoint that follows completion of Stage 1: The Number Sequence
When students complete their work (in their journals, or on scrap paper that you will save), they need a code to move on. You can either give them the code, which is different, or permit them access to the next Stage from your Dashboard.
Here is a sample Checkpoint from a first grade student:
Click here to read a full description of Checkpoints and how to manage them in your math classroom.
As time passes, students, teachers, and parents have a growing window into students' understanding of math. Journals provide an opportunity to ‘pause the action’ and confirm mastery of important skills that are critical for success. Educators can use this material to help make instructional decisions, show parents examples of student math thinking, and to document student growth in math ability.
At Least Once a Week
Your Data Dashboard
As students use Symphony Math, your data dashboard is updated automatically. At any time, sign in to your Administration Panel to get the details on your students' use:
An overview of the Symphony Math data dashboard.
Your data dashboard gives you access to a lot of material, including:
- reporting by for your entire class
- individual details of student use
- information on students that need HELP, and materials that you can use to help them offline.
- access to program Support, including a tremendous library of videos and documents.
Sign In to your data dashboard here.
We Want You to Succeed
Getting Help
Your Administration Panel is the best place to get help. Use the Support link to view our ever-growing library of materials. But sometimes you just want to talk to someone, or email a professional who can solve your problems quickly.
The bottom of your Support area has a tool that lets you submit a support request. You will receive emails that let you communicate directly with Symphony Math experts. You can also use our toll-free phone number from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (EST).
Email: support@symphonylearning.com
Phone: 800-234-3030
Enjoy your use of Symphony Math!