Math
Our mathematics program helps students gain confidence as mathematicians by supporting their development of mathematical thinking, problem-solving, computational fluency, and application of math skills to real life problems.
Key components of the program include effective communication of ideas, embracing struggle and mistakes as opportunities for growth, and learning to collaborate effectively. Grades K–5 focus on numeration, operations, and computation; data and chance; geometry and measurement; patterns, functions, and algebra.
Students in the middle school continue to build on these foundational concepts and begin to focus on application, problem solving, data analysis, geometry, and a more in-depth study of patterns, functions, and algebra. Students meet in small groups at all grade levels where they work with course materials designed to fit their learning styles.
Program Components
Mathletes
Students in grades 6-8 may participate on the school's 7th and 8th grade Mathletics Teams. Students may play at grade level or above. Teams practice once a week to prepare for 4 Mathlete competitions hosted by the Marin County of Education. Competitions consist of 5 individual problems (solved in 2-3 minutes), plus 5 team problems. Students learn problem-solving strategies, as well as tools for working with precision and speed.
Number Talks
Students in kindergarten through 5th grade participate in number talks at the beginning of each math class. Number talks are brief discussions that focus on students' solutions for a single, carefully chosen mental math computation problem.
Students share their differing problem solving strategies while our teachers act as notetakers, and record the student's thinking visually on the board. The class then works together to question, critique, or build on the strategies that are shared.
Name the Number- Math Board
The “Name the Number” board is a math community building tool for kindergarten through 8th grade students. Everyone is invited to share their thinking about a given number through pictures, computation and/or words. Thinking about numbers in this way helps to develop computational fluency and flexible thinking. All responses are valued and celebrated as opportunities to learn from each other.
Week of Inspirational Math
The first week of school is our Week of Inspirational Math. A program designed by Dr. Jo Boaler, a professor of mathematics education at Stanford University, we use interactive tools that allow students to build a custom "playlist" of inspirational maths activities and messages. The tasks highlight creative, visual and hands-on mathematics built to engage students. Students also explore important messages that are related to their mathematical mindset. Beginning the year this way helps students examine how they feel about math, and in many cases, positively reframe the way they perceive their own ability.
Project-Based Learning in First Grade Math
Read about this first-grade, project-based learning unit based on farming, geometry, mapping, and money.
