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Mathematics

A curriculum based in problem-solving and pre-algebraic thinking.

Across our Lower School we use a math curriculum titled Math in Focus, a precise framework of concepts and skills that are taught concretely, pictorially and abstractly. The program is designed to help students build conceptual understanding through a focus on problem solving. 

Math in Focus is a mastery program that addresses fewer topics, but in greater depth, at each grade level. 

There are five strands that guide our teaching and learning:

  • Metacognition: monitoring of one’s own thinking, self-regulation of learning
  • Attitudes: beliefs, interest, appreciation, confidence, perseverance
  • Processes: reasoning, communications and connections, thinking skills and heuristics, applications and modeling
  • Concepts: Numerical, algebraic, geometrical, statistical, analytical
  • Skills: numerical calculation, algebraic manipulation, spatial, visualization, data analysis, measurement, use of mathematical tools, estimation

We support and expect our students to:

  • Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them;
  • Reason abstractly and quantitatively;
  • Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others;
  • Model with mathematics;
  • Use appropriate tools strategically;
  • Attend to precision;
  • Look for and make sense of structure; and
  • Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

Students manipulate stackable cubes to practice adding two single digit numbers. The class gathers in a circle to practice and share work, stemming from the knowledge that we can learn and grow from our own and others’ thinking.