Home Curriculum Mathematics
Park Day School’s goal is to help young people develop into confident mathematical thinkers who understand the why as well as the how, who can see connections, and use their mathematical knowledge in innovative ways to solve problems throughout their lives. Math Curriculum Overview
1:1 Correspondence
One-to-one correspondence is a foundational math skill that teaches children that each object or number corresponds to a specific quantity. Mastering this skill is crucial for developing number sense and crucial to understanding more complex mathematical concepts. Students practice this skill as they collect their snacks, count the number of friends who are at school and missing each day, or make sure that there are enough pencils for every student in their group.
Math Games
In kindergarten math we play a variety of teen number games. We practice that a teen number is “ten and some more!” During Number Corner time we learn the vocabulary and symbols for greater than, less than, and equal to. As we flip our daily calendar cards, we learn how to count by 5s and 10s and have fun practicing counting to 100 in preparation for the 100th day of school!
Measurement & Rulers
Rulers rule! When learning about measurement, students get a chance to go into the Innovation Workshop and design and make their own 12-inch rulers. Back in the classroom, young geometrists measure objects around the room and are challenged to find things with specific measurements. We practice understanding how many inches are in a foot, and other units of measure.
Birthday Graphs
In our first data project of the year, we chart when our birthdays fall across the calendar. Together, the class creates a pictograph, and then students build their own individual bar charts to represent the data in different ways. After collecting and organizing our data, we make observations about patterns, and translate those insights into equations. It’s a festive way to build skills in data analysis and early algebraic thinking!
Fractions & Personal Values
We introduce fractions as parts of a whole, both in shapes and as real numbers on a number line. We gain fluency in understanding halves, fourths, eighths, thirds and sixths, and what fractions are equivalent to other fractions by having students reflect on their own values and what makes up each of them as a whole.
Fractions in Action
To strengthen their understanding of numerators and denominators, 4th graders practice identifying equivalent fractions on number lines. It’s a great way to visually see how different fractions can describe the same point. Students in small group math centers then participate in a Piet Mondrian-style art project exploring area and partitioning or play games like “Cover Up,” where they roll fraction dice to build whole numbers.
Flag Design
As students work on multiplying and dividing fractions, they practice with diagrams, area models, and standard algorithms to understand and solve problems. Students are also starting to see how the distributive property applies to work with mixed numbers. They then put their mathematical understanding into action by designing their own flags, using proportions and principles of flag design.
Estimating Surface Area
6th graders bring mathematical concepts to life by exploring surface area in a real-world context. Faced with a closet partially covered in 48 sticky notes, students estimate the total surface area. We then brainstorm ways that calculating surface area might come up in regular life, connecting geometry to different professions and everyday applications.
Practical Application of Slopes & Ratios
In 7th grade math, we explore ADA accessibility ramps by investigating the relationship between slope and ratios. Students scale down the lengths of real ramps and apply these measurements to create model ramps using stacks of books and yardsticks. The immersive project helps students understand practical applications of slope and ratios in real-world contexts.
Escape Room
8th graders crack a murder mystery through an engaging escape room challenge! With clues cleverly hidden around the classroom, students use linear equations to unveil whodunit. Who knew math could be so full of suspense?
In Lower School, the Bridges in Mathematics program is the foundation for teaching math along with Number Corner and Context for Learning in Mathematics. With Bridges students gain a deep understanding of concepts, proficiency with key skills, and the ability to solve complex problems. Number Corner features short daily workouts that introduce, reinforce, and extend skills and concepts related to the critical areas of study at each grade level. Through Context for Learning in Mathematics, powerful questioning, conferring, and differentiating opportunities help students dive into robust investigations and math congress.
In Middle School, Pre-Algebra is taught in 7th grade, and Algebra in 8th grade. The Desmos Curriculum utilizes problem-based lessons that promote mathematical curiosity and student engagement. The Desmos program builds on the coherence and rigor of the Illustrative Mathematics curriculum. The scope and sequence of units, activities, and representations are designed to help students develop a deep understanding of mathematical concepts, build fluency with procedures, and solve mathematical problems that reflect their lived experiences, all while holding students’ ideas at its center.
Math at Park Day School is taught with frequent small group collaborations and partner work. Communication is integral to every math project. Students are expected to justify their ideas, listen to classmates’ alternative strategies, and approach problem solving in multiple ways.