Bloomington Public Schools Elementary Mathematics

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Bloomington Public SchoolsElementary Mathematics

• August 2008

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Everyday MathematicsA curriculum for the 21st
Century

• Philosophy emphasizes conceptual understanding
  while building a mastery of basic skills
• Explores the full mathematical spectrum, not just
  basic arithmetic
• Considers how children learn, what theyre
  interested in and the future for which they must
  be prepared.

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Program Components

• Real-life problem solving
• Balanced Instruction
• Carefully planned, sequential instruction
• Ongoing, continuous basic skills practice
• Emphasis on communication
• Appropriate use of technology
• Home and school partnership

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What does it mean to be mathematically literate?

• Fluency with basic facts
• Learning concepts beyond arithmetic
• Reasoning mathematically
• Confidence with problem solving
• Communicating through symbols, models, graphs and
  language

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Algorithms

• A procedure used to solve a problem.
• Traditional algorithms were developed to get
  ideas on paper (clerical)
• Why doesnt my child learn the way that I was
  taught?
• Reinforce understanding of place value
• Efficiency
• Easier to understand
• What are the strategies/algorithms used?

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Operational Algorithms in Everyday Mathematics
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How can you help?

• Let your child teach you how they learned it in
  school
• Generally, these algorithms are the procedures
  you learned, unpacked.
• See handout for specific information about each
  algorithm

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Common Concerns

• Basic Facts
• Expectation is 25 problems in 2 minutes for each
  operation beginning with addition in grade 2.
• Spiral
• Students revisit topics learned in order to build
  new learning and develop more complex
  understanding of mathematical topics.

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Common Concerns

• Games
• Used for independent practice
• Create opportunity to see thought process
• Opportunity for collaboration
• Pacing
• Mastery comes with repeated practice
• Topics introduced informally, practiced, moving
  to formal instruction
• Revisiting topics allows for new connections and
  insights

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How to help at home

• Homework routine
• Study links
• Communicate
• Ask your child to explain
• Use questioning instead of just giving answers
• Accept mistakes

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How to help at home

• Play math games
• Ask your childs teacher for directions
• Observe a lesson
• Volunteer in the classroom
• Read the Student Reference Book
• Share real-life math situations
• Give mathematical gifts

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Online Support

• EM Games Online
• iSRB
• Online Glossary
• Curriculum and Instruction parent site

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Need more information?

• Your childs teacher
• Principal
• Teaching and Learning office
• Online resources
• BPS website