Math time is fun time in R.B. schools
New curriculums stress real-life applications
BY KIMBERLY STEINBERG Staff Writer

RED BANK — Borough schoolchildren began this school year with a revised mathematics curriculum that utilizes creative and innovative methods, according to district officials.

Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction John Bombardiere explained the new program titled Everyday Mathematics (EM) at the primary school at a meeting with the press Sept. 10.

"The children internalize the math skills because they're revisited many ways through cooperative learning with real scales, measurements, number lines and daily routines that are interconnected and built upon previous concepts," said Bombardiere,

The curriculum uses a hands-on approach to learning where students apply what they have learned in direct instruction by playing games or participating in activities, which Bombardiere said accommodates diverse learners.

Kathleen Ward, primary school mathematics coach, explained that the success of the school's program is based on repeated exposure in multiple formats.

EM emphasizes the application of math to realworld situations. Numbers, skills and concepts are not presented in isolation, but are linked to situations and contexts that are relevant to everyday lives.

Each lesson includes time for wholegroup instruction as well as small group, partner or individual activities. These activities balance teacher-directed instruction with opportunities for open-ended, hands-on explorations, long-term projects and ongoing practice, Bombardiere explained.

EM provides numerous methods for basic skills practice and review. These include written and verbal fact drills and mental math routines said Ward.

With the emphasis on communication, children are encouraged to explain and discuss their thinking in their own words. Opportunities to verbalize their thoughts and strategies give children the chance to clarify their thinking and gain insight from others.

"It makes kids like math and not be afraid of it," said Schools Superintendent Laura C. Morana.

On a tour through several math classes, a second-grade classroom had the phrase "math time = fun time" written boldly on the board.

The new curriculum promotes other ways of coming to the same solution. Different ways of thinking are both encouraged and shared.

"The crux of the program is that math can be solved any way. There isn't one right way to do things. It teaches the students to think creatively and critically," said Bombardiere.

Ward said that the children learn from each other and that they come up with numerous ways of solving problems.

"We show them how math is meaningful to their lives," said Bombardiere.

In a second-grade class, children were told to write down as many months of the year as they could on their white boards. They were then asked to hold them up.

Bombardiere explained that white boards are used as a quick way for teachers to gauge student's comprehension.

"All are engaged, stay engaged because they all participate. We don't just call on students," Bombardiere said.

In a first-grade class, a group of children played a game with dice during which the teacher gave a verbal lesson of the plural and singular forms of the word, while teaching the students how to play.

The students then broke off in pairs and happily played the game.

"Kids are truly having fun and everyone is engaged," Morana said.

The middle school program, Connected Mathematics (CM), helps students develop understanding of important concepts, skills, procedures and ways of thinking and reasoning in numbers, geometry, measurements, probability and statistics, Ward explained.

The curriculum objective states that all students should be able to reason and communicate proficiently in mathematics.

"They should have knowledge of and skill in the use of vocabulary, forms of representation, materials, tools, techniques and intellectual methods of the discipline of mathematics, including the ability to define and solve problems with reason, insight, inventiveness and technical proficiency," reads the mission statement.

The CM program includes real-life applications, such as how to calculate discounts on merchandise and a cross-curricular aspect of learning about stocks and investments.

"There's a big technological component to both programs," said Bombardiere.

The EM program includes an enhanced partnership between schoolwork and homework.

Parent and family math nights will be held to teach parents what their children are learning and how to help. Each unit will be explained and parents will be educated on how to discover math all around them.

Teachers will continue training throughout the year on both new curriculums.