Math Coach

Check out the letter from our fabulous Math Coach...

Hi!  I am the new math coach at Erving.  My name is Polly Wagner and I have been studying and working in elementary mathematics for over 20 years.  I am thrilled to be at Erving – it is a very special place.  I was hired to help support the school to have a cohesive and more consistent mathematics program for its students.  Part of this work was to investigate, review and ultimately recommend mathematics curricula for the school, which I did with 7 other staff members.  After much research we have decided to go with Investigations in Number Data and Space for grades k-5 and Connected Mathematics for 6^th.  We’re excited about the choices and look forward to the work ahead.  Next year we will be piloting both programs before the formal roll out happens in the fall of 2016. 

Next year you should expect to see assignments and activities coming home that may look different to you. There will be more emphasis on conceptual understanding, making representations, and students’ reasoning about strategies and operations.  Mathematics has not changed but what we know about strong teaching practice and learning has, so our curriculum materials will reflect our new understandings of what is best for students.  So, I anticipate you may have questions when you see different kinds of problems coming home or hear your child(ren) talking about what happened in math class.  I welcome your questions and comments!  Please feel free to contact me any time.  Email is probably the best way to reach me: wagner@erving.com or you can come by my office – I am usually here on Wednesday’s and Friday’s this year. 

I will keep you posted as we take on this new adventure!

Warmly,

Polly Wagner

Mathematics Coach

Erving Elementary

Map Exploration and Continent Maps

We are learning about the seven continents, five oceans and the northern and southern hemispheres.

We have explored many world maps and used the compass rose to locate continents and countries.  

We have researched various countries as well as the locations of major rivers.

Following all of this research, we worked with a peer to create a poster of a continent.  We included three or more countries, a major river and the ocean(s) that surround our continent.

Following the addition of a map key, we will be sharing our work with each other and bringing them next door to share with our first grade buddies as well!

Number Brochures

The first and second grade classes created "Number Brochures" for double digit numbers.

We thought about five different ways we could represent the number we chose.

We showed our thinking clearly so others could learn from us.

Then, we shared them with our classmates and 

first grade friends next door!

Snowy Hike

We took a snowy hike with our first grade friends 

on a sunny day in March!

100th Day of School

We celebrated our 100th day of school yesterday!

We enjoyed special activities and ate a delicious 100th day snack!

This crazy smile greeted each Epic Learner as they came in on the 100th day...

Snowman Introductions

Come and check out our adorable snowmen!

We have introduced them to you in writing!

Levers!

As a part of our simple machine study, we explored levers.

Teams were given a block, ruler, and half a cardboard tube.  They needed to set up the three objects to simulate a lever, fulcrum and load.  Next, they labeled the three parts.  Finally, they came to the assumption that it is easier to lift a heavy load when the fulcrum is a bit closer to the load when compared to far away.

Way to go scientists!