Learning Resources

McGraw-Hill Updates Building Blocks with More Games, iPad Accessibility

• By Joshua Bolkan
• 03/18/15

McGraw-Hill Education has unveiled a new version of Building Blocks, its supplemental math program, with 50 percent more games, iPad accessibility and increased support for Common Core and state standards through grade 8.

Featuring personalized lessons and adaptive learning technology, "Building Blocks tailors instruction based on each student's unique understanding and learning trajectory," according to a news release. "Students play a series of games based on their abilities or as assigned by the teacher, and progress automatically through the program once they master each math concept."

Features new to this version include:

• Expanded support for grades preK-8. Previous versions ended support at grade 6;
• Comprehensive reporting for Common Core State Standards and learning trajectories designed to offer insights on student performance and areas in need of improvement for teachers, parents and administrators;
• 215 games and 56 drills covering topics such as fractions, decimals, algebra and geometric measurement; and
• A teacher management system designed to help teachers create assignments and benchmark updates.

"Our newest version of Building Blocks increases students' skills and confidence in math — a critical skill for today's economy," saidChristine Willig, president of McGraw-Hill Education's K-12 group, in a prepared statement. "This software works best as a supplemental math program in computer labs, libraries, after school programs and at home. Students can use Building Blocks to catch up to grade level math requirements, or accelerate math performance above grade level. Classrooms that are already using the updated Building Blocks software report greater student engagement and higher math scores." 

Building Blocks is available as a standalone product and comes standard with Number Worlds.