A truly engaging math program should spark curiosity and critical thinking. Children should have opportunities to explore, discuss, question, and explain their reasoning. While procedural knowledge and computational skills are important, a well-rounded program should also develop a deep conceptual understanding, connect math to real-life scenarios, and encourage the facility of versatile problem-solving strategies. To achieve this, we thoughtfully select the most effective components from various programs, such as Illustrative Mathematics, TERC Investigations, Math in Focus, Contexts for Learning, and Bridges, to align with the units within each grade level. Grade 5 uses the Illustrative Mathematics program more formally as this allows for the seamless transition into Middle School mathematics.

A typical math lesson provides opportunities for students to persevere through collaborative problem-solving experiences that allow for generalizations, sense-making, and building foundational conceptual understandings of mathematics. While students work through inquiries and wrestle with big ideas, teachers facilitate discourse by posing purposeful questions to push student thinking and ultimately synthesize the learning. Lessons follow a structure that includes a warm-up to prime student thinking, a series of problem-based activities that build on each other, and finally a synthesis, which is essential to accomplishing the learning goals. In this synthesis, as well as pivotal moments throughout a lesson and a unit, teachers ensure that students understand the big takeaways and skills needed to be successful. Through this balanced approach of inquiry, discourse, and explicit instruction, students own their learning and deepen their understanding.

Students are both formally and informally assessed throughout the year to track their growth and ensure best practices. Teachers, along with the math department, work together to develop assessments and analyze frequent data points to help design instruction to meet student needs. A variety of assessments capture a student’s strengths and areas for growth, including pre-assessments by unit, exit tickets, math interviews, MAP data, and end-of-unit assessments. 

Teachers and math specialists provide a mix of whole group, flexible groups, and individualized instruction. We do not offer daily, fixed, ability-based math groups. Throughout units of study, teachers carefully select tasks and use flexible grouping and collaborative strategies to support and challenge students to best meet their needs. Opportunities for extensions that push students to gain deeper levels of understanding, develop higher-order thinking, and stretch their learning are embedded within every lesson and are available to all students. Further enrichment opportunities are offered through Sunrise Math, such as Continental Math League and Math Kangaroo, and an afternoon Math Olympiad club.

Our Philosophy of Mathematics (PreK-12) ensures alignment across our three divisions. The computational and problem solving strategies learned in the Grammar School carry over into Middle School as students build from multiplicative to proportional, to functional, and eventually to algebraic reasoning. The Grammar Schools inquiry-driven and problem-based approach to teaching and learning mathematics continues into the Middle School. Students in grade 4 and 5 learn from a dedicated math teacher, just as they do in the Middle School. All of this helps prepare our students for the faster-paced curriculum, and the Honors math sections. Lastly, the math competitions that are available to our students in grades 1 through 5 are formative experiences that set them up for successful participation in our Middle School Math Teams.

Technology has become an invaluable tool in education, especially in mathematics. Teachers can utilize iPads, laptops, smart TVs, or Smartboards to project lessons and assignments, creating interactive learning experiences. This technology enables teachers to easily capture and share students' ideas and thinking. Other ways technology can be used to enhance your child's learning include: 

Educational Software: Programs like Khan Academy and IXL provide personalized learning experiences and practice problems.

Virtual Manipulatives: Digital tools that simulate physical objects, such as base-ten blocks, geometric shapes, and number lines, can help students visualize mathematical concepts anywhere! 

The Grammar School invites our highly proficient mathematicians in Grades 1 through 5 to put their math skills to the test with timed-competition! Through our Sunrise program, students in grade 1 prepare to compete in the annual International Math Kangaroo competition, while students in grades 2 and 3 prepare for the Continental Math League contests. Students in Grades 4 and 5 meet afterschool to get ready for the five Math Olympiad contests. 

Please visit our Sunrise Math page and Math Olympiad page for more information on how to participate. 

Mathematical problem-solving can be integrated into daily life, and children often embrace challenging puzzles. When they express enthusiasm for calculations, seize that opportunity to introduce more complex problems. Encourage their curiosity by asking questions like, 'What if...?' or 'How did you figure that out?' This can lead to deeper exploration and alternative problem-solving strategies. 

• In each unit preview letter, there are suggestions and questions to pose to support your child in math.

Homework is designed to be a review of grade-specific concepts and skills. Homework expectations gradually increase with students' grade level. While 1st graders might have a weekly math activity, 2nd graders typically receive a weekly packet. As students progress to 3rd and 4th grade, homework frequency increases, and challenge problems are introduced. By 5th grade, students often have nightly math homework. IXL (grades K-2) and Khan Academy (grades 3-5) are supplemental digital tools that support what students are learning in school and offer them extra practice as well as enrichment. Further options for enrichment, such as Math Stars, are also provided by classroom teachers. 

Students who participate in math competitions receive weekly homework and solutions sets to help them prepare for contest question types.

When your child finds their math homework challenging, it's important to remain calm and supportive. Homework should not be a contentious time of day. Homework is just as much about reinforcing skills as it is learning responsibility, time and material management and independence. If your child seeks you out for support, you can try to break the problem down into smaller, more manageable steps. Use visual aids or real-life examples to make the concepts more concrete. If you're still having trouble, don't hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher and encourage your child to check-in with them the next day at school. Remember, it's okay to make mistakes and learn from them. Encourage your child to persevere and celebrate their effort along the way.

Yes, learning math facts and being able to work with numbers flexibly is crucial for higher-level math. We provide students with strategies and models that help them see the relationships between numbers. This helps children derive facts quickly and accurately, remember the facts more naturally and be able to figure them out if they forget. True fluency comes from understanding the relationships between numbers and practicing different problem-solving approaches. Our approach builds a stronger foundation for future math success.