Mathematics News 

Dear Parents,

Have you pondered this or heard your friends ask this question?

   Why aren't kids learning Math the way we learned it?

The strategies that students are learning about and using in Mathematics classes today may seem confusing and/or time consuming for parents. However, as educators, we believe that the long run is more important than the short run. Spending time now with students to help them develop a deeper understanding of place value, properties of operations, and the relationship between addition and subtraction, for example, will help them later when they start to learn traditional algorithms. In this newsletter, I would like to tell you about some of the strategies being used in our classrooms. 

Using Manipulatives

Base Ten Blocks, Fraction Pieces, GeoBoards, Counters, etc. are used to help students build concrete understanding before moving on to more abstract mathematical understanding either in the same unit or later on. The bonus here is that kids LOVE manipulatives!

Relating Math to Real Life

Connecting Math to everyday life is critical. "Why do we need to learn this?" and "When am I ever going to need this in real life?" are questions we don't hear too often anymore. This photograph shows a lesson that was helping students understand coordinates and how they are used to locate areas on a map.

Incorporating Technology

We use technology in different ways to support Mathematics instruction. Students may be given an assignment through Google Classroom, where they log in to view their curricular activities, or they may work on supplemental programs, such as Mathletics.

Encouraging Learning Games

Kids love games, and the games that they play in class and at home help them build Mathematical fluency. 

Encouraging Critical Thinking

As educators understand the importance of helping students develop mathematical reasoning and thinking. Investing in the time it takes to do this pays off. Students develop deeper engagement and understanding which leads to stronger competency in Mathematics.

Warm regards,

Ms Nellie Girgenti

Coordinator and Year 4 teacher