Math Info
Math Curriculum Note
While much of what we use for math at CHESS comes from BJU press, we know that curriculum is much more than just a textbook, and we're committed to making use of a variety of resources and platforms that will meet the diverse needs of our students.
Learn more about the tools we're using to nurture 21st-century skills in our students - and keep reading to discover the tips and tools to help your students be successful in math at CHESS!
3rd and 4th Grade
3rd and 4th grade students are exploring the world of Beast Academy this year, adding digital games and activities designed to boost creative problem-solving skills! Beast Academy is NOT just for gifted students! With access to all five levels and the ability to connect with the level that works best, any student can benefit from the fun challenges available on this program.
Students in these grades are just now diving into this program, and only as an at-home supplement to their primary math curriculum. Stay tuned for suggestions about how to make the most of it in developing or reinforcing skills at home! In the meantime, you can email Mrs. Meester at ameester@chesschristian.com with any questions.
Middle School
Students in 5th grade through PreAlgebra enjoy collaborative learning experiences with Mrs. Tate, working through examples and practice problems in class. At home, students work through homework in packets from the activity manuals or from supplemental resources aligned with the BJU scope and sequence (no textbooks this year, to better serve the students in our hybrid model).
In addition, students often use Khan Academy videos and assignments to reinforce concepts taught in class.
Tips for success in middle school math:
Check the detailed examples students receive from Mrs. Tate in class.
Note the answer keys in Google classroom and check student understanding as they complete their at-home work.
Sit in on a tutoring session with Mrs. Tate after school! (This is for general help with a number of her math students and not intended to be one-on-one support). Email her at atate@chesschristian.com for her availability.
High School
Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, and Statistics utilize the Delta Math and Math Medic platforms to develop strong mathematical understanding and to boost flexible problem solving skills. Both are aligned with the same rigorous standards that comprise the BJU high school math curriculum, which still serves to provide the biblical integration in our math program, and the Ohio Learning Standards for Mathematics.
Delta Math allows Mrs. Cargill to create targeted assignments to reinforce what students are learning in the classroom.
Tips for success in high school math classes
Delta math now includes video to watch - each assignment has an example + video or example + written steps
Math Medic answers and the notes Mrs. Cargill presents in class are available for each lesson on Google classroom (the notes are not as detailed as lecture notes, but they show each step she takes when solving the problems)
Students who turn in all of the lessons in a unit on test day are able to do test corrections for half credit
Students are given all the written lessons in a unit at the beginning of a unit, ready for addition to a 3-ring binder; if a student misplaces any of them, they can be reprinted from Google classroom
The syllabus is on Google classroom and explains how grades are weighted; for instance, homework and quizzes are the same percentage of the total grade
Mrs. Cargill intentionally leaves time for students to ask for help in class - encourage your students to accept help when it is offered at these times!
Math Medic is designed around the "experience first, formalize later" approach, which "encourages students to build strong math identities and take an active part in mathematical sense-making."
Bonus: Textbook Free?
A few reasons we don't use textbooks in high school math!
