Instruction

We continue with our focus on writing; teachers have been meeting on early-out Mondays to talk about writing in mathematics.

Did you know that the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) states: “Communication is an essential part of mathematics and mathematics education”?

The NCTM Communication Standard states:

Instructional programs from pre-kindergarten through grade 12 should enable all students to –

• Organize and consolidate their mathematical thinking through communication;
• Communicate their mathematical thinking coherently and clearly to peers, teachers, and others;
• Analyze and evaluate the mathematical thinking strategies of others;
• Use the language of mathematics to express mathematical ideas precisely.

Gastineau teachers have been thinking about how to best help students to meet this communication standard. They have been giving students lots of practice solving open-ended math problems and having them explain their thinking. At our next early out meeting, we will examine student mathematics work to see if our teaching practices have been effective.

Conferences

The end of the trimester is just around the corner (February 18). Can you believe that we are nearly two-thirds into the school year? I hope that you will be able to attend your child’s parent-teacher conference – it is a perfect time to think about setting goals for the remainder of the year. As you know, schools get very busy as spring approaches so it is important to stay in contact with your child’s teachers to help students stay on track. Conferences are scheduled for February 21 and 22 this year. You will receive a note indicating when your child’s conference has been scheduled. If the day or time does not work for you, please call us right away and we will work with you to find a better time. Our goal is to conference with 100% ofour families. Thanks for all you do to support your child’s success at school!

Angie Lunda, Principal