What is new about the K-6 math curriculum?

The City of St. Charles School District’s K- 6 mathematics curriculum was developed from extensive research and is built around best practices on teaching and learning mathematics. Our curriculum will challenge students to think deeply and to persevere through tough problems. It teaches students to find their mathematical voice so they can explain their thinking, as well as construct viable arguments. It provides opportunities for students to collaborate to solve problems, share solutions, and generalize results. Students will delve into topics to build content mastery and efficiency in skills of number sense, number sense and operations in base ten, number sense and operations in fractions, relationships and algebraic thinking, geometry, measurement, data and statistics, probability, ratios and proportional relationships, and expressions, equations, and inequalities. From kindergarten through sixth grade, students will develop an extensive understanding of concepts by moving from the use of concrete to pictorial to abstract representations. The K-6 mathematics curriculum effectively prepares students of all ages and abilities with the skills necessary to think critically, communicate effectively and accomplish real world tasks.

What is Math in Focus?

Math in Focus is a comprehensive mathematics program published by Marshall Cavendish. Math in Focus provides rich and engaging resources based on 20 years of Singaporean success as a world leader in mathematics education. The framework presented in Math in Focus follows the same framework developed by the Singapore Ministry of Education. The instructional approaches emphasize real-world, hands on experiences through a concrete-pictorial-abstract learning progression. For more information, please click here to read more about the history of Singapore Math.

Is Math in Focus based on research?

• Mathematical Problem Solving: Mathematical problem solving is the foundation to the Math in Focus program. Problem solving is embedded within the resources and challenge students to "how" and "why" through complex real-world word problems and non-routine problems. Please click here for more information.
• Model Drawing: Model drawing is a process of developing pictorial representations to assist in the understanding of mathematical concepts. Bar modeling is one of an approach that is introduced in second grade. Please click here for more information.
• Place Value: Math in Focus emphases mastery, coherence and focus. Developing an understanding of number sense and place value lays the foundation for computational skills, problem solving, critical thinking, and many other mathematical concepts. Please click here for more information.
• Underpinning Concepts: The ultimate goal of Math in Focus is to enable students to "empower their thinking and develop skills that will learn them to a better future in society." For more information, please click here.