Comfort with and understanding of numerical concepts and applications is critical for every individual in the modern world. So much of a person’s daily life is dependent on competence in understanding numerical relationships and in performing mathematical processes, including computation, abstraction, and estimation, and the application of these skills in other domains.
Leveraging the math advisory group comprised of professional math educators as well as outside consultants, MWJDS offers a robust math program designed to meet the needs of students at all math levels.
From PreK to the highest grades, the mathematics curriculum at MWJDS uses a combined inquiry-based and computational learning approach in order to furnish children with basic calculation skills and an understanding of applied mathematical concepts. In every grade, students explore problems in depth both individually and in groups. They utilize a variety of concrete materials, relevant technology, and learn multiple ways in which to express their mathematical thinking.
Through regular assessment, teachers are able to put children in the appropriately leveled groups to create the most effective learning environment and meet individual needs of each student.
Grades K -2
The MWJDS mathematics curriculum stresses that students in the early elementary grades learn mathematical concepts most effectively by using and manipulating concrete materials before moving to abstractions. Using the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics standards, students become confident at an early age in the concepts of estimation, patterns, probability, number, data gathering and analysis, measurement, place value, operations, and number facts which are woven into the curriculum in a developmentally appropriate manner.
Grades 3 – 5
The middle elementary mathematics program helps students delve into critical thinking and investigation. Both individually and in small groups, students explore problems in depth to discover multiple solutions. Investigations in Number, Data and Space is the core instructional program. Students collect, display, describe, and interpret real data in a variety of ways. Manipulatives are used for students to develop a concrete understanding of concepts before moving on and learning traditional algorithms.
Advanced students explore and apply math concepts to real world challenges. They are currently exploring the concept of 3D geometry by building a model to calculate how much popcorn it would take to fill a room and how much it would cost.
Grades 6 – 8
The goal of the Upper Level math program is to build upon the work done in the earlier grades and to construct new mathematical ideas and experiences. This comprehensive curriculum enables students to investigate and sharpen their own logical thinking, learn to be comfortable with the abstractions that give math its power, develop their ideas and hone the skills to express their ideas to others. Students in the upper grades focus on solidifying their conceptual knowledge of the mathematics they have learned in previous years and move into pre-algebra and algebra in preparation for high school. We work with local high schools to ensure that our students are prepared for the curriculum in the most rigorous high school programs.