By Iman Howard, Group Manager for STEM Content
Middle and high school math teachers in Texas, this post is for you!
Khan Academy and ExxonMobil Foundation have partnered up to open the doors to STEM education in Texas! Thanks to the generous funding from ExxonMobil Foundation, we are thrilled to introduce our new math courses for the 2024-25 school year, which have been thoughtfully aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards. Spanning 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades, as well as Algebra 1, these courses are designed to provide robust, comprehensive support that’s tailored to meet Lone Star State-specific educational goals.
To complement these courses, we have also developed comprehensive teacher guides to accompany each unit. Our math teacher guides are designed to enrich the teaching experience by providing clear lesson objectives, effective implementation strategies, teaching tips, and engaging classroom activities, and insights into common student misconceptions, as well as strategies for how to address those misconceptions. These guides are an essential addition to any Texas math teacher’s toolkit and offer practical support to help students succeed.
Keep scrolling to see what makes these courses and teacher guides unique and why they are indispensable resources for Texas educators.
5th grade: Streamlined integration and enhanced engagement
Our 5th-grade course is meticulously structured to align with the TEKS standards, ensuring that every lesson is standards-aligned and that the course has comprehensive coverage of all 5th-grade TEKS standards. For example, to meet the TEKS emphasis on understanding decimals, the course includes comprehensive modules on decimals, blending conceptual explanations with practical problem-solving exercises. Moreover, the course introduces interactive tools that make learning more engaging. Visual representations for geometry and number sense help students grasp complex concepts, such as using digital number lines to explore fractions. These tools make abstract concepts tangible and foster deeper understanding.
6th grade: Critical thinking and adaptability
In addition to aligning with TEKS standards, our 6th-grade TEKS mathematics course cultivates critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. Each unit presents scenarios that require students to apply their mathematical knowledge when solving complex problems, preparing them for higher-level math and real-world challenges. Additionally, the course offers adaptable teaching methods that cater to diverse learning preferences. With a rich assortment of video lessons, interactive exercises, and articles, teachers can customize their instruction to meet the unique needs of each student, ensuring that all students can effectively engage with and understand the material.
7th grade: Real-world applications and financial literacy
In 7th grade, students will explore modeling constant rates of change through one- and two-variable linear equations, enhancing their understanding of proportional relationships. The course connects various representations—contexts, tables, graphs, and algebraic equations—to illustrate how each form supports comprehension of linear relationships. Practical applications, such as temperature changes or vehicle speeds, help bring these concepts to life. Furthermore, the course introduces composite areas and volumes using engaging geometrical figures, and it emphasizes proportional reasoning within financial literacy, equipping students with critical life skills in financial management.
8th grade and Algebra 1: Deep conceptual understanding and dynamic tools
In addition to aligning with TEKS standards, our 6th-grade TEKS mathematics course cultivates critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. Each unit presents scenarios that require students to apply their mathematical knowledge when solving complex problems, preparing them for higher-level math and real-world challenges. Additionally, the course offers adaptable teaching methods that cater to diverse learning preferences. With a rich assortment of video lessons, interactive exercises, and articles, teachers can customize their instruction to meet the unique needs of each student, ensuring that all students can effectively engage with and understand the material.
The Algebra 1 course takes these approaches a step further with dynamic learning tools, including interactive graphs, in-depth articles, videos, and worked solutions. This course offers clear TEKS-aligned learning progressions, building from basic to complex concepts in order to ensure a coherent learning experience. Whether you’re using it for introducing new topics, reinforcing classroom concepts, or assigning homework, the adaptable use cases of this material make it a thorough support system for every phase of your students’ learning journey.
Transform your math instruction with TEKS-aligned courses
Integrating Khan Academy’s TEKS-aligned math courses into your classroom can help your students meet the rigorous expectations of the TEKS standards. Our new courses, when used alongside the comprehensive teacher guides, provide structured learning and practical teaching support. See how these new courses and guides can transform your math instruction and boost student achievement in the upcoming school year. Let’s work together to empower Texas students with the skills and confidence they need to excel in mathematics and beyond.
The post Introducing Khan Academy’s New TEKS-Aligned Math Courses and Teacher Guides for Texas Educators! appeared first on Khan Academy Blog.
By Iman Howard, Group Manager for STEM Content Middle and high school math teachers in Texas, this post is for you! Khan Academy and ExxonMobil Foundation have partnered up to open the doors to STEM education in Texas! Thanks to the generous funding from ExxonMobil Foundation, we are thrilled to introduce our new math courses
The post Introducing Khan Academy’s New TEKS-Aligned Math Courses and Teacher Guides for Texas Educators! appeared first on Khan Academy Blog. Educators, News Khan Academy Blog
