Philosophy

  • High quality mathematics curriculum and instruction engages hands, minds and intellect through authentic, active learning that supports each student to achieve personal success. These learning experiences, assessed through a variety of methods, bridge the concrete and abstract by applying critical thinking skills and problem solving strategies in meaningful and relevant situations. Through the understanding of mathematical concepts and reasoning, every student will be prepared to communicate effectively using the language of mathematics as a tool to meet future challenges.

Questions?

Guiding Principles

  • 1. Mathematics instruction is driven by data gained from valid and reliable research-based tools

    • Through analysis of a variety of formal and informal assessments, teachers develop short and long term goals for student growth based on patterns in the data

    2. Mathematics curriculum and instruction must be rigorous and relevant in order to develop conceptual understanding and skills
    • Mathematics relates to other content areas
    • Strands in mathematics are connected
    • Vertical and horizontal alignment is crucial when developing mathematical literacy
    • Mathematics develops higher level thinking
    • Teaching methods include multiple strategies such as:
    1. Inquiry-based instruction
    2. Learner-centered Instruction
    3. Multiple resources
    4. Hands-on learning
    5. Students and teachers use technology as instructional tools

    3. Mathematics prepares students to be life-long, global learners

    • Students understand the power of mathematics and utilize it to be:
    1. Problem solvers
    2. Communicators
    3. Collaborators
    4. Users of technology
    5. Self-reflective thinkers

Instructional Resources

    • Instructional resources should support students as they problem solve, communicate, collaborate, utilize technology and self-reflect.
    • Instructional resources should have a clearly defined purpose and educational value
    • Instructional resources will include opportunities for:
    1. authentic learning and real world experiences
    2. questions and problems that are open-ended and support multiple solution strategies and outcomes
    3. challenging content that requires higher level thinking and appeal to students’ different interest and abilities
    4. differentiated instruction
    5. learner-centered strategies which promotes sharing and exploring ideas
    6. creativity and self expression
    7. application of prior knowledge and learning in unpredictable situations
    8. grade-level appropriate vocabulary that scaffolds content/concepts vertically
    9. comparison to non-examples
    10. students to document thinking and justify their thought processes
    11. student self-reflection of academic and non-academic skills

References