Dear Students of Division 3,

I write to you to let you know clearly and specifically about my expectations for Math—and learning lots of it–this year.

I love math! I love that there are many ways to look at one problem. I love the challenge of working through a problem until I can get it right. I love trying to identify patterns and seeing how these patterns spill over into nature, science, language and even art. Some of you feel this way, others—not so much. I hope to get each of you excited about math this year. I know that when you are excited about math, it is because you feel confident and challenged.

What Are the Expectations?

As always in a Montessori classroom, you will be expected to work at your own pace to master the math concepts that are appropriate for you (and expected of your grade level). Keep in mind that “working at your pace” means doing math work that keeps you confident and challenged—not too hard, not too easy. You are expected to put in a consistent and focused work effort.

Most of your math work will be guided by the materials and the corresponding Albanesi cards. You will be able to do much of the work independently, but will also need to find an appropriate time to get lessons from me or other students.

 

How Will You Show Your Math Progress?

• You will complete work in your math notebook each week.
• You will complete this statement “I am working on . . . “ each week.
• I will observe you working by yourself, in a group or with me.
• I may observe you teaching a classmate.
• You will complete Albanesi tests when you have mastered a particular skill.
• You will complete longer tests each term that assess grade level skills.

 

Is There Other Math Work?

Yes. In addition to weekly personal math work, you will be assigned weekly problem-solving. At the beginning of the year, this will involve studying different math systems (past and present) with special patterns and ways to show place value.

 

Notebook Expectations:

1) Each time you work in your notebook, include the following:

• Date
• Name of Material
• Name of specific activity or lesson
• Number of Albanesi card, if appropriate

2) Work neatly and legibly

3) Use the space well: filling the page but don’t squish your work.

3) Mark your own work in a different colour pen/pencil before you turn it in.

 

Write and complete this statement the first time your work each week: “This week I am working on . . . “

Here’s to a fantastic year of learning math!

 

Fondly,

Ms. Langille