Step-by-step instruction and modeling helps students to understand the concepts presented, while progressively difficult practice exercises continue to build fluency. Problem-solving activities are also integrated into every lesson to help students synthesize and apply newly-learned concepts and skills.

The Teacher Edition is a practical guide with teaching notes, vocabulary development and support for thinking and reasoning. It provides teachers with an easy-to-use reference and grading guide. Each lesson includes the student text page numbers, common core state standard number, objective, "essential question," any new vocabulary words, materials needed, and prerequisites. An "About the Math" section provides a simple overview of the topic to be taught; "The Lesson" section is divided between an introduction, teaching, and practice, with directions for writing on the board, activities, and modeling ideas. The bottom of the page features reduced-size student pages with the correct answers overlaid in pink ink. This edition is sold without blackline master, but the book is available with blackline masters if preferred and sold separately.