6th Grade
The purpose of Wedgewood Park International School’s Mathematics curriculum is to prepare our students to become effective problem-solvers. Through the Constructivist theory of learning, students will use inquiry as they build their knowledge of mathematics through investigations done in the classroom. These activities develop student’s thinking abilities requiring the learner to take risks as well as become flexible using multiple strategies. The investigations promote a connection between math concepts and real-world applications both close to home, in the community and globally. Student assessments have a direct link to thinking outside the learner, encouraging caring for others and open-mindedness. Incorporated into the mathematics curriculum is a strong emphasis on Constructed Response problems. Through these tasks, students are given the opportunity to explain their process of solving the problem. This strategy supports inquiry and the need in today’s world to be able to communicate ideas clearly. Through writing, the opportunity is given to students to become critical thinkers and reflective about their learning.
Various activities, which address multiple modes of learning, involve use of manipulatives, graphic organizers, and calculators. These activities lead to abstract thinking needed for equations. Investigations to build mathematical knowledge will be experienced in pairs, small groups, and individually when appropriate. The first lens through which math will be experienced involves Community and Service. Students will collect numerical and categorical data based on a personal survey question. Students will then communicate through multiple mathematical representations what is typical for a student in their sixth grade community. Individual reflections will help students determine how they fit in as a typical member. To explore other cultures, students will undertake the revision of an international cookie recipe in order to prepare enough for their fellow classmates. This Health and Social Education focus will promote life skills as well as an international connection using the essential element of food. The lens of Environments is addressed through the study of area and perimeter. Measurement decisions need to be made to design the school’s community park. Through a written proposal, students justify their innovative design. Probability is studied through the lens of Human Ingenuity as students enter the realm of chance. Understanding chance and the levels of risk involved addresses the Unit question: “How can I bet to win?”. Through the course of study, students use reflection to assess acquisition of skills and determine how the areas of interaction are connected to their study of mathematics.
7th Grade
The purpose of Wedgewood Park International School’s Mathematics curriculum is to prepare our students to become effective problem-solvers. Through the Constructivist theory of learning, students will use inquiry as they build their knowledge of mathematics through investigations done in the classroom. These activities develop student’s thinking abilities requiring the learner to take risks as well as become flexible using multiple strategies. The investigations promote a connection between math concepts and real-world applications both close to home, in the community and globally. Student assessments have a direct link to thinking outside the learner, encouraging caring for others and open-mindedness. Incorporated into the mathematics curriculum is a strong emphasis on Constructed Response problems. Through these tasks, students are given the opportunity to explain their process of solving the problem. This strategy supports inquiry and the need in today’s world to be able to communicate ideas clearly. Through writing, the opportunity is given to students to become critical thinkers and reflective about their learning.
Various activities, which address multiple modes of learning, involve use of manipulatives, graphic organizers, and calculators. These activities lead to abstract thinking needed for equations. Investigations to build mathematical knowledge will be experienced in pairs, small groups, and individually when appropriate. The first lens through which math will be experienced involves Community & Service. Students will analyze patterns in a table of change to make predictions towards a fund-raising goal for our school. Afterwards, students will reflect on the outcomes. Health and Social Education come into focus as students investigate proportions and ratios. Responsible decisions can be made if one understands unit pricing, rates of increase, and ratio as a process for comparison. Environmental issues are explored as students use volume and surface area to determine the size of popcorn packaging at the movie theater. Students will argue the theater’s desire to make a profit with the effect that cardboard popcorn boxes have on landfills and raw materials. Lastly, students will explore probability with their own Human Ingenuity. Through the process of creating a game, students will determine and evaluate the fairness of a game of chance. With student/teacher feedback and self-assessments, students will need to address the criticism of “That’s not fair!” Throughout the Grade 7 course of study, students use reflection to assess acquisition of skills and determine how the areas of interaction are connected to their study of mathematics.
8th Grade
The purpose of Wedgewood Park International School’s Mathematics curriculum is to prepare our students to become effective problem-solvers. Through the Constructivist theory of learning, students will use inquiry as they build their knowledge of mathematics through investigations done in the classroom. These activities develop student’s thinking abilities requiring the learner to take risks as well as become flexible using multiple strategies. The investigations promote a connection between math concepts and real-world applications both close to home, in the community and globally. Student assessments have a direct link to thinking outside the learner, encouraging caring for others and open-mindedness. Incorporated into the mathematics curriculum is a strong emphasis on Constructed Response problems. Through these tasks, students are given the opportunity to explain their process of solving the problem. This strategy supports inquiry and the need in today’s world to be able to communicate ideas clearly. Through writing, the opportunity is given to students to become critical thinkers and reflective about their learning.
Various activities, which address multiple modes of learning, involve use of manipulatives, graphic organizers, and calculators. These activities lead to abstract thinking needed for equations. Investigations to build mathematical knowledge will be experienced in pairs, small groups, and individually when appropriate. Students’ first area of study shows how relationships are affected by change. This study evolves into Community & Service in which students participate in a walk-to-feed. The money raised provides Thanksgiving dinners to the residents of the Milwaukee Rescue Mission. Through the course of study, students use reflection to assess acquisition of skills and determine how the areas of interaction are connected to their study of mathematics.