Progressions Help Center (FAQ)

Have questions? You’re not alone! Here, we’ve collected the most common questions teachers and leaders ask about Progressions by Alba Math—along with clear, practical answers to support you every step of the way.

What makes Progressions by Alba Math unique?

  • Progressions by Alba Math is a foundational numeracy K–2 program and a complete, TEKS-aligned curriculum grounded in research-based instructional practices and aligned to grade-level standards. Built around hands-on, concept-first instruction, Progressions helps students develop strong number sense so they truly understand the math—not just the steps.

  • Literacy is intentionally embedded across each grade level through carefully selected picture books that support sense-making, academic language development, and mathematical discourse.

  • Progressions is also a fully resourced program. Classroom Bundles include pre-copied and pre-cut Work Mats, Task Cards, and Game Boards, reducing teacher preparation time and supporting consistent implementation. This allows teachers to focus on high-quality instruction and teach with confidence, rather than managing materials.

  • The name Progressions reflects how lessons are intentionally sequenced to support the way children’s mathematical thinking grows over time. Each Learning Progression follows a coherent, research-backed sequence of instruction that builds conceptual understanding step by step within and across grade levels.

  • Lessons are intentionally arranged from left to right to support access to grade-level content while honoring how students learn mathematics.

  • Scaffold Back lessons provide targeted, just-in-time support by addressing prerequisite understandings from earlier grades or units, helping close gaps without interrupting the progression.

  • Scaffold Forward lessons extend student thinking beyond the core lesson by offering opportunities to deepen understanding, apply concepts in new contexts, and engage in richer mathematical reasoning—without accelerating students out of the grade-level progression.

  • Progressions includes two complementary planning tools:

    • The Content Map, which organizes grade-level standards into a logical learning progression
    • The Activity Map, which sequences daily lessons in that same research-based order

  • Together, these tools support instructional coherence, vertical alignment, and confident planning.

  • Each Classroom Bundle includes:

    • 24 Work Mats to support whole-class or small-group instruction
    • 12 Game Boards
    • 12 sets of Task Cards

  • These materials are designed to promote student engagement, collaboration, and hands-on practice while supporting differentiated instruction and multiple learning modalities.

  • Each grade level includes 26–44 high-quality picture books selected to support mathematical understanding and literacy development. Titles such as Ten Apples Up On Top and One Is a Snail, Ten Is a Crab are used to introduce concepts, build vocabulary, and engage students in meaningful mathematical conversations

  • Books are intentionally embedded within lessons to support comprehension, representation, and discourse.

  • Progressions prioritizes purposeful student work through Recording Sheets and Exit Tickets rather than traditional worksheets.

  • Recording Sheets support the Concrete–Representational–Abstract (CRA) progression and provide students with structured opportunities to represent and explain their thinking. Exit Tickets serve as formative assessment tools, giving teachers timely insight into student understanding and informing instructional next steps.

  • Progressions was intentionally designed without consumable workbooks to support flexibility, sustainability, and instructional quality. Durable Work Mats and Game Boards are provided pre-cut and ready for classroom use, while Recording Sheets and Exit Tickets are printed in black and white.

  • This approach reflects common school constraints and supports equitable access to materials across classrooms. As students move from kindergarten through second grade, written representations and explanations increase to support the development of mathematical reasoning and communication.

  • Progressions by Alba Math is designed around a teacher-based system, not a classroom-based one. This means materials are organized to support the teacher’s instruction rather than being tied to a single homeroom.

  • For departmentalized math teachers, one Classroom Bundle is all that is needed. The reusable components—Work Mats, Game Boards, and Task Cards—are used flexibly across multiple classes throughout the day. Students use the same materials during math instruction, and then return them for the next group.

  • Recording Sheets and Exit Tickets are printed as needed for students, while the durable materials remain part of the teacher’s core kit. This structure supports instructional consistency, reduces material redundancy, and makes implementation more efficient for teachers who teach multiple sections at the same grade level.

  • The result is a streamlined system that supports high-quality, hands-on instruction without requiring multiple kits per teacher.

  • For more detailed information about what’s included in each grade level, explore our

    • Kindergarten

    • First Grade Journeys

    • Second Grade Discoveries

The IMRA process was enacted under House Bill (HB) 1605 and brings new components to a single, State Board of Education (SBOE)-governed review of instructional materials. IMRA outlines how instructional materials will be reviewed, with the SBOE having final authority on the process, criteria used, and approvals.

Instructional materials submitted in the IMRA process are reviewed for Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) alignment, factual errors, suitability, quality, physical/electronic specifications, and parent-portal compliance.
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