December, 2007 

Last year we adopted the Houghton Mifflin Math Expressions curriculum for grades 3-5. We did this in an effort to offer a more balanced math program using computation and higher order thinking skills. Our previous curriculum had a heavy emphasis on computation, which is extremely important. However, we wanted to further challenge our students with more word problems to analyze and to promote critical thinking.

This year our K-2 students are now using the same curriculum so that we will be consistent throughout the elementary program. The types of problems our students are working, even in the younger grades, are laying the foundation for higher level math. This curriculum does an excellent job of meeting the needs of many different types of learners. Children who are word smart, body smart, logic smart, people smart, picture smart, nature smart and self smart all benefit from this program. This is one of the only math curriculums we found available that will cater to so many of the different multiple intelligences.

Because computation is important as well, the students have ample opportunity within this curriculum to practice those skills. Also, all students in grades 1-5 are given math fact timed tests on a regular basis. We want our students to memorize their basic facts so that they become automatic. This skill will help them tremendously when working the higher level problems.

The Math Expressions curriculum challenges our students to:

• Describe their problem solving strategies
• Ask questions
• Use a variety of methods to solve problems
• Be effective student leaders
• Praise and help one another
• Feel comfortable working individually, in pairs and in small groups
• Break apart numbers and find embedded numbers
• Make meaningful math drawings to show their thinking