"It is the story that matters, not just the ending." -Paul Lockhart. Math has changed since we were young. Where it was once rule based (the rule was "because"), it is now hands-on so that students can physically experience and understand numbers, quantities, and exchanging in place value.
We are part of a Title I multiage school that emphasizes learning through the hands-on experiences (small group instruction and individual exploration).
Our classroom is comprised of five, six and seven year old children who live in an interurban community in Washington State. The diversity of background in our class has created an atmosphere where we can learn from each other. Students at this age are curious about the world around them and should be encouraged to explore those curiosities. It is my job to grab their interest and excitement about mathematical reasoning while they are young, before they get the message from society that "math is hard." Experiencing math through hands-on materials that model exactly how equations play out is how students become confident, strong mathematicians. Math should be accessible and achievable for all which is what I am working to accomplish with our Montessori Math curriculum.
My Project
Students will use the colored bead rods and number/quantity puzzles to fortify their recognition and deepen their understanding of number values.
Students will use the activity sets to extend their use of each traditional material that we already have. As it is, our learning is limited by what I can create and organize in a user friendly manner. These activity sets create logical tasks that naturally differentiate and guide students in using their classroom math resources.
As a result of these activity sets and materials, students will develop stronger number sense and become better equipped at adding, using a variety of possible resources around the room (including golden beads, number rods, stamp game, and bead frames).
The same goes for creating geometric understanding. Getting deeply in touch with the attributes of flat and solid shapes is how students genuinely grasp these concepts.
My students are new to the Montessori Math curriculum.
It is an approach that strives to deepen understanding so that they are better able to meet the demands of current math standards. Making sure that they have access to every possible resource to cultivate their brains is one of the best ways I know of to get them on the right path towards academic and lifetime success.
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