Charter Math Communities

For the second year, charter school students in Opal 2,3 and 4 will have a common math workshop time.  Each day between 12:30 and 1:30 (except Wednesdays), children will meet in intentional math communities. As learned from our experience last year, this focus on math allows for increased individualized attention to each student and also allow teachers more opportunity to collaborate with one another. Teachers Levia Friedman, Zalika Gardner, Avery Hill and Mary Gage Davis with the support of Shannon Nelson will each lead a math community.  

Students will be grouped into math communities that best support their growth as mathematical thinkers, collaborators and communicators based upon teacher assessment and observation.  Through this opportunity to participate in diverse, intentional math communities where each child brings a unique perspective, knowledge, experience and problem solving strategies, children are challenged to become flexible, efficient and elegant mathematical thinkers.  While solving problems together, communicating and defending ideas, children construct mathematical understanding and strong number sense. 

Intentional math communities will begin meeting on Monday, September 19.

On Tuesday, October 11, families are invited to attend Math Curriculum Night.  This will be an opportunity for families to meet their child’s math teacher and learn more about mathematical beliefs, approaches and instruction at Opal School.  Meanwhile, we invite you to share some of your mathematical experiences at Opal School or questions you may have in the comment section of this blog.