Be Safe!  Have a fun evening!

Fall conferences have come and gone, but we want you to know that you can get a hold of us at anytime for any questions.  Ok, so preferably between 8AM and 8PM, but please don't hesitate to call or email. :-)

You should have received a GT Learning Plan for your child with their report card.  This is a basic outline of services you can expect your child to be receiving.  This may be modified throughout the year.  If we missed getting you this plan we will be happy to send a copy.

Have a great weekend in preparation for a busy Monday.

Miss Young and Mrs. Ingersoll

Developing Mathematical Thinking - Information to Support Your Child

In the last few years teachers in Middleton and across the state have been enrolling in professional development to improve their mathematical practice, instruction and their own understanding.  This training, offered by the State through Boise State University's Center for School Improvement, has challenged many of us in our thinking and how we look at your child's understanding of mathematics and make instructional decisions to help them grow.

The Developing Mathematical Thinking Initiative is soundly rooted in research and creates opportunities for teachers to meet the needs of diverse learners; including our students who are gifted in mathematics and crave opportunities to grow.  But this way of looking at mathematics might be very different from how you were taught.  Students are taught to use traditional algorithms, but not until they can understand the thinking that supports the use of those algorithms.  Instead the emphasis is on deeply understanding what is happening in a math problem, using a strategy to solve the problem, and being able to clearly explain your thinking.  All three are increasingly important skills for the world of work that our kids will be entering.  No longer will they be able to just "do" the math and get by.

For some of us this may be a large shift in thinking from our own experiences and beliefs about mathematics.  I would like to encourage you to read and know more about this initiative and to ask lots of questions.  Mrs. Ingersoll and I are glad to email or meet with you to explain more.  I'm also attaching a few documents that might help as you begin to understand this shift in mathematics instructions.

Miss Young

Homework Questions
This document contains a list of questions you can use to prompt your child's thinking when they are working on a math problem at home.
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B_VBXnTxMgiVNGU4Njc5ZjgtYWQyYS00MDE0LTkxNDAtYTdjZDE2ODQxNDg3&hl=en

Newsletters
The following are newsletters that give more background and information on how addition, subtraction, and multiplication thinking might look in elementary age children.  These are written by the Boise State Developing Mathematical Thinking Group.

Addition
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B_VBXnTxMgiVMzExNTcwYjktMWVlOS00ZjdmLTg5YjItZDQ4NDA3YjRiZTQ0&hl=en

Subtraction
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B_VBXnTxMgiVYzFhZWU2MGMtMDYzMi00NjE2LThhNDYtMWQxZmJhZGUxY2Fh&hl=en

Multiplication
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B_VBXnTxMgiVYzZlNTU4ZjEtMzAzMC00YjllLWIzOTYtZjBhZGFjODJlNTc1&hl=en

Apangea: A Cool Way to Learn Math

Families,

In September each elementary school hosted a kick off assembly for Apangea Math.  This online math program offers all 3rd-5th grade students, including our gifted and advanced learners, the opportunity to apply their knowledge of math while problem solving.  Many of our gifted math students have a knack for fact recall. Apangea encourages this knowledge while building students' understanding of what it means to apply numbers and words to a math problem.  Students earn points as they are taken through a multi-step process to solve word problems.  Points can be used to purchase gift cards, t-shirts, and backpacks.  Several large price (iPods and laptops) are given out at the end of the year.  

Mrs. Ingersoll and Ms. Young would like to offer a local challenge to every 3rd, 4th, and 5th grader!  The top point winners from each grade level at Mill Creek, Heights, and Purple Sage will be treated to lunch at Casa Mexico on Friday, May 4th.  There will also be smaller contests set up througout the year to encourage students to continue with Apangea.  Please share this information with your child, encourage them to use Apangea to extend their math thinking, and accrue points.  The grade level winners from each school will be announced on Monday, April 30. 

Mrs. Ingersoll and Ms. Young

Great Deal on Art Supplies

Quality Art in Garden City is having a big 40% off everything sale on Oct. 15th.  For some of those planning Christmas presents for young artists in their households, we thought this might be good information.  :-)