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The Everyday Mathematics curriculum, which is used in all of grades, empowers students and teachers to understand mathematical content far beyond arithmetic. Students explore more of the mathematics spectrum by investigating data gathering and analysis, probability, geometry, patterns, and algebra. Mathematics is integrated into other subject areas and becomes part of the ongoing classroom routines, outdoor play, and the spare transitional moments that occur every day. Highlights of this enriched curriculum include:
- Problem-solving about everyday situations
- Linking past experiences to new concepts
- Sharing ideas through discussion
- Developing concept readiness through hands-on activities and explorations
- Cooperative learning through partner and small-group activities
- Increasing "fact-power" through games
- Providing ongoing review and applications
- Solving problems using multiple strategies
- Using mathematics in daily classroom routines
- Providing a variety of assessment opportunities
- Enhancing home-school partnerships
This exciting math curriculum has proven to be extremely successful at the Lower School. Many Darlington students will tell you that math is their favorite subject. We've noticed tremendous improvement in their problem-solving, their reasoning, as well as their overall math skills. Our achievement test scores (ERB) have also improved. For example, before we began Everyday Math, our median scores on the quantitative portion of the test fluctuated between the 85th and 88th percentile nationally. The quantitative part tests the higher level problem-solving and reasoning ability of our students. In 2002 our median scores were:
3rd Grade - 95th percentile
4th Grade - 94th percentile
5th Grade - 92nd percentile
Of particular and impressive note here is that last year the 4th grade's median score was in the 73rd percentile. Those same students, in their first year of Everyday Math, raised their median score 19 percentage points. It is rare to see such quick and overwhelming confirmation of curricular changes.
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