Elementary Curriculum


Numeracy

Although the school year began on Sept 6, we had summer training for teachers in Early Math and Junior Math beginning in August. All sessions were well attended by teachers from across our board and the positive tone was set for the year.
 

A focus in all of the primary, junior and intermediate divisions in our schools is the teaching of mathematics through Problem Solving and the use of manipulatives by ALL students. At each training session this year, teachers will engage in hands-on activities, discussions and sharing of “best practices” regarding these two areas. Specifically, several after school “Dinner and a Manipulative” training sessions are scheduled throughout our board. The teachers gather to focus on one manipulative and engage in a variety of activities across grade levels to see the power of these teaching and learning tools.

At the grade  7,8,9 level the teachers are beginning to use the wonderful manipulative kits purchased last year from the Student Success Initiative. Teachers in the intermediate division are very excited to begin using these manipulatives in their daily math classes. As well, 32 intermediate teachers from across our board are taking their ABQ qualifications in intermediate math at our board office every Wednesday evening with Trevor Brown. The energy and enthusiasm he brings to us each week is very contagious!

Our board-wide numeracy committee has been busy taking part in a book study, attending conferences, assisting at workshops in our board, and being a source of information for the board with regards to numeracy in the schools. We have also begun a pilot project in 2 schools using the PRIME program from Thomson-Nelson. All teachers at Our lady of Good Counsel in Ingelside and Sacred Heart in Lanark are being released at their school to participate in this exciting professional development opportunity. PRIME is a “framework” used to assess student’s mathematical skills and to assist teachers with instructional strategies geared to the learners at each phase of development.

We are very proud of our teachers and how they embraced the Curriculum changes that have occurred in the area of mathematics this year. We will continue to support our teachers and deliver the Ministry funded training to ALL teachers. Together we will help our students build confidence in their math ability through fulfilling learning experiences so that we hear the phrase “Math Makes Sense” more often.