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Focus On Numeracy Using

Everyday Mathematics

Everyday Mathematics developed by the University of Chicago Mathematics Project is the foundation of the Iron Horse focus on numeracy. Everyday Mathematics encourages teachers and students to explore more of the spectrum of mathematical ideas through a deeper understanding of key mathematical concepts and a broader, richer study of all the strands of mathematics.

The focus of Everyday Mathematics is understanding, to consider many ways to accomplish a task, and to use the best tools and strategies for solving problems. The program establishes a wholesome framework for dialogue about mathematics between the teacher and students and among students themselves, thereby helping students clarify and refine ideas and strategies in problem solving.

The developers of this program recognize that children have the ability to connect real-life experiences to new learning. Various learning styles of children and the importance of approaching each concept in a variety of ways is an integral part of the program. The developers are also cognizant of the fact that all children do not learn every concept the first time it is taught and that most children need repeated exposures over an extended period of time before mastery is to be expected. This is why the spiral approach to concept mastery is used. Each important concept is "visited" at least five times during a two-year period.  

Other especially strong components of Everyday Mathematics include:

  • It is consistent with Douglas County's content, processing and assessment standards.
  • It is a rich curriculum which goes beyond the calculation strand, exploring the broader spectrum of data collection and analysis, probability, geometry, and algebra.
  • It connects mathematical concepts across other subject areas thus making learning more meaningful for students.
  • Problems in real-life contexts reveal to students that mathematics has applications in everday life.
  • It encourages students to think and demonstrates that problems can be solved in many different ways.