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This
year, your child will be using Kindergarten Everyday Mathematics, a program created through the
University
of
Chicago School Mathematics Project
. This program is based on
research and experience that show young children are capable of far more
mathematics learning in kindergarten than was previously believed
possible, provided that the content is presented in ways appropriate for
children of kindergarten age.
To many of us who learned to think of mathematics primarily as written
work, it may be hard at first to believe that considerable mathematics
learning is taking place in this program.
Few papers come home. The
children seem to be playing! However,
these playful activities are meaningful and productive and help children
become independent thinkers about mathematical ideas.
Research has shown that young children often have difficulty with
written and symbolic mathematics if it is emphasized too early –
before a strong foundation based on experience and understanding has
been built.
You will see your child become excited by a wealth of mathematics
activities, including counting, numeration, measurement, geometry,
patterns, data collecting, and calculator use.
Classroom routines give children real-life opportunities to
develop and refine a variety of mathematics skills.
These include such activities as keeping track of the days of
school on a number line, monitoring attendance, and charting the daily
schedule.
We hope that through Kindergarten
Everyday Mathematics, both you and your child will find that
mathematics is useful, enjoyable, varied and meaningful.
Just as we know that telling stories and reading books to
children help to foster a love of reading, your support of mathematics
learning will help your child develop lasting confidence and competence.
To
help engage your child in mathematical thinking at home, Home
Links activity pages will be sent home after the corresponding
in-class lessons.
Children develop positive feelings about mathematics by sharing
pleasurable experiences as they count, measure, compare, estimate and
discover patterns in everyday life.
Home Links provide a
guide to a variety of activities that families and children can share in
a spirit of exploration and enjoyment.
For more information on Everyday
Mathematics click
here. |
