Semple Math - Simply Unforgettable

I have seen surprising progress in their math skills. Especially the 1st & 2nd graders. They know their six facts instantly. We are only on Lesson 19 in Book 1. It has taken me a while to figure out what works best (as far as instruction with the different abilities of the students). I finally decided to completely immerse the 1st-2nd graders in the program since they seem to take a little longer to grasp the concepts then the 3rd & 4th graders. However, the four 1st-2nd graders now instantly know their "6's". They see the problem, and instantly can state the answer. I am very pleased with the progress of each of the students. The older students are no longer counting on their fingers for the 6's. We haven't gotten any further than that. I'm sure I will see improvement as we progress through the lessons with the older students.

Jan Semple (Author) : I'm thrilled with your feedback! And I am happy as well for your students. One word of caution about extra worksheets and standard math materials. In most cases you will find other math materials to be based on rote repetition and abstract concepts loaded to short term memory. The Semple Math program is 100% image based storing information to long term memory. You will find that the more outside worksheets you insert the slower the students will move. The dialog in the manual is your best friend. You will be best served to follow that dialog and use the prescribed Semple Math workbooks as you have with the first and second graders. Thank you for using our program in your classroom. I am sure there are many who will want to follow your progress. Please update us in the Spring.

8. How do you rate the overall attitude, outlook and self-esteem of each student on a scale of 1 - 5, 1 being the lowest score? Comments are welcome.

Student 1 - 4
Student 2 - 4
Student 3 - 5
Student 4 - 4
Student 5 - 5
Student 6 - 5
Student 7 - 5

9. How does the portion of Semple Math you have now seen compare to any "non-Semple" learning materials you have used in the past? (Please do not identify and materials and programs by name.)

This program is wonderful! The students are actually learning their addition facts without counting on their fingers. They are able to visualize the numerals which helps them to learn the facts. I am completely sold on this program.

10. Has any standardized or local testing been used as part of this Challenge? If so, please explain the means of assessment and share your findings with consideration for student privacy.

No, there has not been any standardized testing done as part of this challenge.

11. Would you recommend this program to other educators? Why or why not?

I would definitely recommend this program to other educators because it works! Any students that are unable to learn the "traditional" method, should be taught using the Semple Math program. Even students who can learn by traditional methods, could benefit from this program.

Jan Semple (Author) : We are delighted to have your participation. Please continue!

12. Should we sponsor a second round of the Challenge and for the purpose of sharing our Times Tables Kit?

Yes!!!! I think you should sponsor a second round challenge for the times table kit. I'm sure this is where I would see the 3rd & 4th graders progress.

I am truly sorry for not providing feedback earlier. I just lost track of time. This program has allowed me to see progress in students who rarely experience any progress. (name of non-Semple materials deleted for legal reasons)

Jan Semple (Author) : Nicole, you are seeing something that is so hard for so many to see. There is a myth in education. As educators we do not believe that “One size fits all.” From the beginning we are trained to use an eclectic approach. How many times have you heard an educator say, "I use a little bit of everything." In a world where nothing seems to work with every or even most students we resort to peppering our students with sheets and kits and samples and supplements from every source imaginable. This is not only difficult to manage academically but it is also very expensive for the school system.

Semple Math has made the eclectic approach obsolete. This program, when used as written, has never failed with any learner. That includes the disabled, the mainstream and the gifted. You are absolutely correct. This program can/should be used with all students. Those who do will find that it out paces and out performs all other materials with all students.

Bill Semple (President) : There is a quote at the beginning of all the 2nd Edition Teacher's Manuals dedicated to our students. As I read your feedback I can not help thinking about it...

Success is counted sweetest,
by those who nere succeed.
To comprehend a nectar,
requires the sorest need.
-Emily Dickenson, 1830 - 1886


Woodsfield, Ohio, Round 1 Nicole Jorris Woodsfield Elementary School 1. How many years have you taught? Nicole Jorris - 4 years 2. What grade level are you currently teaching? First - Fourth grade 3. What do you teach? I teach students who have been diagnosed as Cognitively Disabled. 4. How many students have you enrolled in the Semple Math Challenge? There are 7 students in the Semple Math Challenge 2 - 1st graders 2 - 2nd graders 2 - 3rd graders 1 - 4th grader 5. Have you executed the program in good faith, as written with no omissions or substitutions thus far in the Challenge? Some students have been immersed in the Semple Math, while others have continued with the traditional curriculum. I teach a Semple Math lesson to all students, then some of the students "catch on" quicker and they finish the lesson sooner than some of the other students. If students finish, then they go onto their "traditional" curriculum until the other students grasp the concepts in the Semple Math lesson. 6. Please comment on the math performance of each student as they entered the Challenge. Were they on or below grade level? Each student was below grade level prior to starting the Semple Math instruction. 7. What progress have you seen in their math skills over the last 30 days? Are they on or below grade level? I have seen surprising progress in their math skills. Especially the 1st & 2nd graders. They know their six facts instantly. We are only on Lesson 19 in Book 1. It has taken me a while to figure out what works best (as far as instruction with the different abilities of the students). I finally decided to completely immerse the 1st-2nd graders in the program since they seem to take a little longer to grasp the concepts then the 3rd & 4th graders. However, the four 1st-2nd graders now instantly know their "6's". They see the problem, and instantly can state the answer. I am very pleased with the progress of each of the students. The older students are no longer counting on their fingers for the 6's. We haven't gotten any further than that. I'm sure I will see improvement as we progress through the lessons with the older students. Jan Semple (Author) : I'm thrilled with your feedback! And I am happy as well for your students. One word of caution about extra worksheets and standard math materials. In most cases you will find other math materials to be based on rote repetition and abstract concepts loaded to short term memory. The Semple Math program is 100% image based storing information to long term memory. You will find that the more outside worksheets you insert the slower the students will move. The dialog in the manual is your best friend. You will be best served to follow that dialog and use the prescribed Semple Math workbooks as you have with the first and second graders. Thank you for using our program in your classroom. I am sure there are many who will want to follow your progress. Please update us in the Spring. 8. How do you rate the overall attitude, outlook and self-esteem of each student on a scale of 1 - 5, 1 being the lowest score? Comments are welcome. Student 1 - 4 Student 2 - 4 Student 3 - 5 Student 4 - 4 Student 5 - 5 Student 6 - 5 Student 7 - 5 9. How does the portion of Semple Math you have now seen compare to any "non-Semple" learning materials you have used in the past? (Please do not identify and materials and programs by name.) This program is wonderful! The students are actually learning their addition facts without counting on their fingers. They are able to visualize the numerals which helps them to learn the facts. I am completely sold on this program. 10. Has any standardized or local testing been used as part of this Challenge? If so, please explain the means of assessment and share your findings with consideration for student privacy. No, there has not been any standardized testing done as part of this challenge. 11. Would you recommend this program to other educators? Why or why not? I would definitely recommend this program to other educators because it works! Any students that are unable to learn the "traditional" method, should be taught using the Semple Math program. Even students who can learn by traditional methods, could benefit from this program. Jan Semple (Author) : We are delighted to have your participation. Please continue! 12. Should we sponsor a second round of the Challenge and for the purpose of sharing our Times Tables Kit? Yes!!!! I think you should sponsor a second round challenge for the times table kit. I'm sure this is where I would see the 3rd & 4th graders progress. I am truly sorry for not providing feedback earlier. I just lost track of time. This program has allowed me to see progress in students who rarely experience any progress. (name of non-Semple materials deleted for legal reasons) Jan Semple (Author) : Nicole, you are seeing something that is so hard for so many to see. There is a myth in education. As educators we do not believe that “One size fits all.” From the beginning we are trained to use an eclectic approach. How many times have you heard an educator say, "I use a little bit of everything." In a world where nothing seems to work with every or even most students we resort to peppering our students with sheets and kits and samples and supplements from every source imaginable. This is not only difficult to manage academically but it is also very expensive for the school system. Semple Math has made the eclectic approach obsolete. This program, when used as written, has never failed with any learner. That includes the disabled, the mainstream and the gifted. You are absolutely correct. This program can/should be used with all students. Those who do will find that it out paces and out performs all other materials with all students. Bill Semple (President) : There is a quote at the beginning of all the 2nd Edition Teacher's Manuals dedicated to our students. As I read your feedback I can not help thinking about it... Success is counted sweetest, by those who nere succeed. To comprehend a nectar, requires the sorest need. -Emily Dickenson, 1830 - 1886
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