Math Curriculum - Information and Help

$Math picture$

Redmond Elementary School’s Mathematics program is “Investigations” for K-5 and “Connected Mathematics 2” for Grade 6. There are many resources to help you understand the program and help your student. Read on...

Curriculum Information

The Lake Washington School District’s math curriculum for K-5 is “Investigations in Number, Data, and Space” developed by TERC. You can find a fairly detailed overview of what is covered in the curriculum by each grade level at their website: http://investigations.terc.edu/.

Our sixth grade math curriculum is "Connected Mathematics 2" which has a lot of good parent information on a Michigan State University website: http://connectedmath.msu.edu/parents/.

There are many groups working to improve the way that math is taught in our classrooms. Some administrators, elected officials, and candidates are openly discussing changing the curriculum with the objective of improving math literacy and improving WASL scores.

The most prominent group working to that end is called “Where’s the Math?”. You can learn more about their activities at their website: http://www.wheresthemath.com/.

In the meantime, you can make a big difference for your child by helping to build that ever-so-important confidence through encouragement, assistance, and learning what is expected. A little outside help goes a long way!

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction
http://www.k12.wa.us/curriculumInstruct/mathematics/default.aspx

Grade Level Expectations
http://www.k12.wa.us/assessment/WASL/mathematics/MathGLEDraft.aspx

Testing

WASL
WASL performance tests measure how well students are able to apply knowledge and skills in mathematics and are administered in grades 3, 4, 5, 6

WASL Sample Math Problems (hosted by Port Angeles School District)
http://www.pasd.wednet.edu/school/mathWASL/

WASL Practice/Sample Tests
http://www.k12.wa.us/assessment/WASL/testquestions.aspx

Tips for Helping Students

Everyone can create the necessary opportunities that help children learn and become confident with mathematics: that means YOU—by working together with teachers and administrators and independently to achieve the common goal of improving student learning.

Although many think math is not for everyone, all students need to become mathematically proficient to be successful in school and future careers. You have an important role in helping your child develop knowledge, skill, and confidence with mathematics. There are many ways to help.

A key factor is for children to know that the adults in their life think they can be successful learning mathematics. However, according to the report Everybody Counts (1989), "Only in the United States do people believe that learning mathematics depends on special ability. In other countries, students, parents, and teachers all expect that most students can master mathematics if only they work hard enough. In other nations where more is expected, more mathematics is learned." (pp. 10, 82).

What you can do:

Talk to your student’s teacher about the math curriculum so that you understand what the objectives are.
Monitor your student’s homework and the teacher’s grading of that homework.
Talk to your student about math in the classroom and homework. Look for frustration from your child and look for ways to ease that frustration.
Remember that everyone can be good at math, it is a myth that many of us just aren’t any good at it. Even if you don’t feel confident in math, work to make sure your child is.

PTSA Enrichment Activities

Math Month
Math Assembly
Math Olympiad

Links

Help for Parents with K-5 Grade Math:
http://investigations.terc.edu/families/