Math Magic for Washington Kindergarteners

How’s this for a spin on words: Washington Primary School teacher Kristen Thatcher kindergarten class is off to a “mathe-magical” start to the new school year.

Joined by teacher colleague Allison Levitt, Mrs. Thatcher and her students went about diving into all things math. The youngsters worked with each other and with the teachers to learn more about math, sharpen their skills and have fun while doing it.

During the math period students rotated through various instructional groups. The teacher group consisted of direct instruction by Mrs. Thatcher on the Reveal Math program problem set. Students solved pattern block puzzles using Tangrams that consisted of quadrilaterals and other shapes. “Gigi” is the highlight of the centers as students solve math problems to get her through various obstacle courses.

A second teacher center led by Ms. Levitt focused on students creating sets of three using five-frames. In the final learning center, students created patterns using sea creature manipulatives to keep things fun.

The Huntington School Board approved Reveal Mathematics as the district’s K-5 math program last spring. The program incorporates STEM focused units, formative assessments, targeted interventions with differentiation, grade level appropriate math vocabulary and activities to build fluency. Print and digital resources are both available in English and Spanish.

Each unit opens with an Ignite! Activity, which is either an interesting problem or a puzzle that sparks student interest and curiosity. The model lesson begins with a launch, “What do you notice? What do you wonder?,” followed by an activity-based exploration and concluding with practice and a reflection assignment.

STEM-focused units highlight careers and applications of mathematics to help students see the relevance of math in the real world. Instructional routines are embedded within each lesson, which includes building fluency, math language routines, an exit ticket and daily differentiation.

Course assessments include a diagnostic assessment at the beginning of the school year and at the beginning of each unit, formative assessment devices and exit tickets. Summative assessments include unit assessments in multiple forms (A and B), benchmark assessments and end-of-year assessments.