Mary McDowell Center for Learning

Math

Curriculum | Language Arts | Reading | Science | Social Studies | Speech & Language | Enrichment

The Mary McDowell Center math curriculum is a rich, creative, and diverse program. It is designed to meet the needs of each student. We are committed to helping students develop skills, conceptual understanding, and an ability to apply their mathematical knowledge. In addition, we see our children as having the potential to become mathematical problem solvers who can learn to reason and communicate mathematically. In order to accomplish this goal, the teachers assess each student to determine small math groups based upon ability level. In addition, students experience math lessons that involve the whole class. Each group uses the tools, strategies, and materials that will best suit its needs.

Components
According to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), students should be exposed to various mathematical subject areas. In accordance with NCTM, the following is a list of the components of the Center's math curriculum. Students will have experiences with these mathematical topics at the appropriate developmental level.

• Problem solving
• Communication and Reflection
• Reasoning and Drawing Logical Conclusions
• Estimation
• Number Sense and Numeration
• Computation
• Geometry and Spatial Sense
• Measurement (non-standard, standard, money, and time)
• Statistics and Probability
• Fractions and Decimals
• Patterns and Relationships

Teaching Techniques
Teachers choose a variety of techniques when teaching small-group and whole-group math lessons. Teaching techniques are determined by the nature of the activity and each student's needs.

• Direct Instruction
• Cooperative Groups
• Experiential Learning
• Whole-group Learning
• Small-group Learning
• Independent Learning

Tools and Strategies
Teachers use a variety of multi-sensory tools and strategies to teach mathematics. The decision to employ specific tools and strategies is based on each student's needs and learning style.

• Games
• Manipulatives (unifix cubes, cuisenaire rods, pattern blocks, fraction pies and rods, geo-boards, Stern's blocks, etc.)
• Workbooks
• Text books
• Writing
• Review and Reinforcement
• Class Work
• Homework
• Technology (computers, calculators)
• Visual Displays
• Morning Meeting
• Cooking

Assessment
Teachers use a variety of assessment tools to gain information about their students with which to inform instruction.

• Quizzes
• Pretests and Post-tests
• Demonstrations
• Discussions
• Observations
• Questioning
• Portfolios
• Student Self-assessment

Materials
The Center employs a variety of learning materials in our math curriculum:

• Marilyn Burns Replacement Units
• Attack Math, EPS
• Recipe for Math, Nina Traub
• Structural Arithmetic, Margaret Stern
• Math Land, Creative Publications
• Math Trailblazers, Kendall Hunt Publishers
• Children's Literature

Examples of children's literature:

• When Sheep Cannot Sleep by Satoshi Kitamura (number sense and numeration)
• Spaghetti and Meatballs for All by Marilyn Burns (geometry)
• Amanda Bean's Amazing Dream by Cindy Neuschwander (multiplication)
• One Hundred Hungry Ants by Elinor J. Pinczes (division)
• A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams (money)