Math
Westford uses the Everyday Mathematics program in grades 1-5. It was developed in order to enable children to learn more mathematical content and become lifelong mathematical thinkers. The program has high expectations for all students and is common core aligned. Concepts and skills are developed over time. This is called the spiraling approach. Through independent, collaborative learning, and small group activities, students will develop their mathematical skills and build number sense. Each day includes a warm-up, a focus lesson and practice. We are now using a guided math approach to teaching these lessons. This gives students many opportunities to practice and learn skills in small groups. There is an emphasis on open response and critical thinking skills. Please watch for “Family Letters” to familiarize yourself with the program.
Westford uses the Everyday Mathematics program in grades 1-5. It was developed in order to enable children to learn more mathematical content and become lifelong mathematical thinkers. The program has high expectations for all students and is common core aligned. Concepts and skills are developed over time. This is called the spiraling approach. Through independent, collaborative learning, and small group activities, students will develop their mathematical skills and build number sense. Each day includes a warm-up, a focus lesson and practice. We are now using a guided math approach to teaching these lessons. This gives students many opportunities to practice and learn skills in small groups. There is an emphasis on open response and critical thinking skills. Please watch for “Family Letters” to familiarize yourself with the program.
The first grade program emphasizes the following content:
The first grade program emphasizes the following content:
Number and Numeration
Number and Numeration
Counting; reading and writing numbers; investigating place value of whole numbers, exploring fractions and money
Counting; reading and writing numbers; investigating place value of whole numbers, exploring fractions and money
Operations and Computation
Operations and Computation
Learning addition and subtraction facts, fact families, and extended facts; beginning informal work with properties of numbers and problem solving
Learning addition and subtraction facts, fact families, and extended facts; beginning informal work with properties of numbers and problem solving
Data and Chance
Data and Chance
Collecting, organizing, and displaying data using tables, charts, and graphs
Collecting, organizing, and displaying data using tables, charts, and graphs
Measurement and Reference Frames
Measurement and Reference Frames
Using tools to measure length, capacity (quarts, liters), and weight; using clocks, calendars, timelines, thermometers, and ordinal numbers such as fifth and tenth
Using tools to measure length, capacity (quarts, liters), and weight; using clocks, calendars, timelines, thermometers, and ordinal numbers such as fifth and tenth
Geometry
Geometry
Exploring 2-dimensional shapes (squares, triangles, rectangles) and 3-dimensional shapes (pyramids, cones, prisms)
Exploring 2-dimensional shapes (squares, triangles, rectangles) and 3-dimensional shapes (pyramids, cones, prisms)
Patterns, Functions, and Algebra
Patterns, Functions, and Algebra
Exploring attributes, patterns, sequences, relations, and functions; finding missing numbers and rules in problems; studying properties of operations (addition and subtraction)
Exploring attributes, patterns, sequences, relations, and functions; finding missing numbers and rules in problems; studying properties of operations (addition and subtraction)