Huntington Introduces New Math Program for K-2 Students
A new math program for kindergarten, first and second graders in the Huntington School District is moving forward. The Houghton-Mifflin “Math Expressions” program was adopted last June. Teachers have been given an initial training and parents will have an opportunity to learn more about it in coming weeks.
“This program offers a ‘constructivist’ approach to instruction, providing students with practical manipulatives and requiring them to exercise cognitive abilities in explaining their reasoning,” Assistant Superintendent Michael O’Brien said.
Before it was adopted late last spring, the program was piloted in several classrooms. An initial training was provided to K-2 teachers on Sept. 4. It included a review of the teacher’s manual and how to “unpack” lessons.
“Video demonstrations of children involved in ‘Math Talk’ supported the benefits for children exposed to this way of learning mathematics,” Mr. O’Brien said. “Children were seen sharing enriching ideas and explaining concepts before they were ever brought to the algorithm. Through this program algorithms are discovered or revealed rather than simply presented and practiced.”
Mr. O’Brien said “there is at least ten years of research behind this approach to teaching math and it is supported through the New York State Standards.”
Huntington Math Director Wayne Edwards is organizing an October evening presentation for parents where the publisher will share information and answer questions. Teachers will earlier introduce the program to parents during Meet the Teacher nights and point out that more information will be available soon.
“The K-2 teachers thus far are impressed by what they have seen and experienced and they look forward to using this program to prepare their students for success in math,” Mr. O’Brien said.
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