Spotlight on Mathematics

This year we are putting a spotlight on mathematics in the Lower School, Grades 1 through 4. Our goal is to help the students realize the value of math in their everyday lives. Imagine what it would be like to try to get through a day without using mathematical skills. If the students would take a few minutes, I’m sure they would recognize that math is everywhere!!! It would be an interesting exercise for the students to walk through the house and note all that they see in their environment that relates to math; e.g. time, pattern, geometry, etc. Once they explore their indoor surroundings, they could venture outdoors. The list of possibilities is endless.

What about all of the ways we communicate with math? Have your child pick up a newspaper, magazine or book; look at television commercials, roadside billboards, or listen and play music; and note the impact of math in each of these. I’m sure they will quickly hear or see numbers, charts, graphs and mathematical vocabulary. As the students begin to see and hear math everywhere, they will also experience the excitement of math and ultimately gain greater confidence in their math skills and ability to be problem solvers.

The following are just a few of the questions that could be explored:

• It is five miles to Grandma and Grandpa’s house. We make a round trip. What would the mileage be?
• The cereal that we eat costs $2.60 a box. What would be the cost of 3 boxes?
• On the billboard the number 135,000 is posted. What would the number be if we added 5000 to that number?
• As we drive to the soccer game, how many odd numbers do you notice?
• If a series of numbers is seen, can you list them from highest to lowest?
• Other experiences could include estimation, counting money/making change, looking for geometric shapes, parallel lines, distance traveled, sports scores and statistics.

Questions within the students’ skill level or only a slight stretch beyond will help to achieve the goal of making math fun and exciting!

It is also valuable if the students pose their own questions about the math they see. If, for example a speed limit is posted on a road sign, the students could ask what would be posted if the speed limits were 10 miles per hour less or 15 miles per hour more?

We look forward to working with you as the students explore the world of mathematics and its impact on their everyday lives!!!