Everyday Mathematics
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 experiences
that shows that young children are capable of more mathematics learning
in kindergarten than was previously believed so long as the content is
presented and explored in ways appropriate for children of kindergarten
age.
Mathematics learning used to be treated differently from
subjects in which discussion and creativity are welcomed. Learning was
mostly by rote, memorizing equations and tables. Children learned to add
and subtract, then to multiply and divide. But mathematics includes this
and much more. To many of us who learned to think of mathematics
primarily as written work-problems of numbers and symbols written on
paper, and solved on paper- it may be hard at first to believe that
mathematics is taking place. Few papers come home; the children seem to
be playing! But these playful activities are meaningful and productive
and help children become independent and comfortable thinkers about
mathematics 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 understanding is built.
You will see your child become excited by the wealth of
mathematics activities, including counting, numeration, measurement,
geometry, patterns, data collecting, and calculator use. Classroom
activities such as keeping track of the days of school on a number line,
monitoring and graphing the weather, recording attendance, counting the
time it takes to clean up, and charting the daily schedule, give
children real-life opportunities to develop a variety of mathematics
skills.
We
hope that by experiencing Everyday Mathematics 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 helps
foster a love of reading, in the same way, your support of mathematics
learning will help your child to develop lasting confidence and
competence. Your comments and questions are most welcome.
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