Matthews Elementary Newsletter
December 2015
Math is Evolving
We have had many conversations over the years about the way students “do” math at school. Many of us grew up learning about Numbers and Operations, Algebra, Geometry, Measurement and Data Analysis. These are still the 5 main components of our curriculum, but now we are also emphasizing the student’s ability to problem solve, provide proof of reasoning, communicate math knowledge within groups, connect between mathematical ideas, and to use representations to organize and record mathematical information. These concepts are much more difficult than a simple algorithm. Students are being asked to use multiple concepts to find answers. Our Everyday Math program even pushes our student’s immersion into math content knowledge through collaborative activities. We wanted you to be aware that you will often times hear students trying multiple ways to get their answer. Some are more difficult than others. We want students to talk through their thinking. We want them to connect to their previous knowledge base. We want them to have to organize their thoughts to become problem solvers. This is not easy and we understand. However, the modern technology that we are using puts less emphasis in memorizing algorithms. Our emphasis now becomes on how we use the information provided by our technology to solve our problems. Please feel free to utilize our Everyday Math (Ed Connect) page attached to our website when dealing with difficult math concepts. The conversations that you will have with your student will be just as beneficial for them as they will be for you.
There is an online portion to our math resource we use and many 1st - 5th grade students have been utilizing it to support their understanding in math and to practice skills. If your child knows their login information they can login on the provided link. Contact your child's teacher if you need their information. http://connected.mcgraw-hill.com/connected/login.do
Battle of the Books
Toy Drive
The Giving Tree
Upcoming Dates:
12/3 - 4th Grade Music Program 6 PM
12/22 - End of 2nd Quarter - Early Dismissal 1:40 PM
12/23-Jan. 4 - Winter Break (No School)
12/22 - Classroom Winter Party
January
1/5 - School Resumes
1/11 - PTA Meeting 7 PM Library
1/18 - No School
1/25 - PTA Skate Night 6-8 PM
1/26 - 2 Hour Late Start
Caught You Reading
Cocoa with Cops
Wednesday, Jan 13, 2016, 02:00 PM
Matthews Elementary School, Northeast Mcquerry Road, Grain Valley, MO, United States
Matthews Elementary
Website: http://www.gvr5.net/MES/
Location: 144 McQuerry Road, Grain Valley, MO 64029
Phone: (816) 229-4870
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Matthews-Elementary-687327861303045/