Fall 2018 Connections

FOCUS ON STUDENTS
Not a Math Brain, but a Math Mindset
How often have you heard someone say, “I’m just not good at
math?” Math negativity runs deep for many, but research shows
that no one is born with a math brain. “Everyone can be good at
math,” says Kellen Bothwell, Lower School math coordinator. “It’s
about approaching math in the right way.”
Hands-on, exploratory math curriculum at Seven Hills engages
students from ECE to Middle School. Last September, the Lower
School adopted a new math curriculum, Investigations 3, with an
inquiry-based approach to teaching this creative subject. Long
gone are the “kill and drill” days of timed tests, traditional teacher
lectures, and students solving problems by themselves. Instead,
lessons are student-driven, and students work collaboratively on
open-ended, investigative learning tasks in a workshop style.
Math classes are often fluid,
differentiated small groups—
students can transition from group
to group based on their assignment,
development, and effort. One of
Seven Hills’ key goals is to build a
mathematical mindset that helps
children understand that there is more
than one way to solve or approach
a problem. Faculty celebrate when
students share new ideas with their class. “I love seeing kids
solve problems or show me things in a way I’ve never seen
before,” says Middle School math teacher Stephanie Hough.
6
Seven Hills’ openended
math program
allows students to
engage in project-based
learning. Here are a few
examples of students
applying math concepts
in “real world” situations.
Math is Everywhere
In ECE, play with numbers and shapes is central to
building mathematical competence. To build their
number sense, Rainbow and Red Barn students had
daily experiences with counting, comparison, and
quantity using everything from cubes and blocks for
measuring to beats and rhythm during music.
Tiny House, Big Learning
In 4th grade, students discovered how important
math is to construction and building as they
embarked on a tiny house project. Using graph paper
to plan, design, and build, students applied their
understanding of units, dimensions, area, perimeter,
and geometry to design a home of their own.