Mission and Beliefs
Mission
The mission of the Winnetka Public Schools mathematics program is to review comprehensive research, identify best-practices, and create a coherent learning experience that prepares students for the next level of mathematical proficiency.
We are committed to honoring child development principles, considering the unique needs of our diverse population, and upholding progressive values in education.
We aim to build upon our current strengths while continually enhancing the mathematics program to empower every student to excel.
Beliefs
We believe that classroom community, an important aspect of our progressive approach, engages students and supports the development of positive mathematical dispositions.
An Engaging Math Environment:
- Promotes a mindset of inquiry, risk taking, flexible thinking, and problem solving
- Fosters collaboration, communication, and critique as critical components of understanding
- Encourages multiple approaches, using tools and technology strategically
- Encourages analysis of a variety of solutions as well as misconceptions.
We believe that high quality instruction is the foundation for the development of proficient mathematical learner
High Quality Instruction:
- Values students as individual learners
- Provides meaningful tasks
- Emphasizes process and understanding of mathematics to a level of depth appropriate for each learner
- Encourages students to learn from one another
- Provides time to develop perseverance, a level of expertise, and an appreciation of the connectedness of math concepts to the real world
- Endorses multiple methods for students to demonstrate understanding through the use of different modalities (manipulatives, pictures and models, oral and written language, real world situations, written symbols)
We believe that high quality curriculum and assessment allow for acquisition of knowledge, development of meaningful understanding, application and transfer of knowledge.
High Quality Curriculum:
- Develops skills and concepts in tandem
- Applies concepts to real life contexts and new situations
- Values reflection as part of the learning process
- Is informed by research, state and national standards, and guided by national mathematics organizations
High Quality Assessment:
- Encompasses a wide range of assessment techniques Is an ongoing process
- Provides feedback to inform student and teacher, resulting in the growth of all learners
- Addresses procedural skill and fluency, conceptual understanding, and application
