Our mathematics class is an accelerated mathematics class that provides mathematics enrichment as well.

Math this year will focus on using higher order thinking skills to solve a variety of mathematical problems. The adopted mathematics curriculum for the Intermediate School is Investigations. Investigations covers a wide range of skills, strategies and concepts from 4th through 6th grade, including multiplication and division, data analysis, probability, 2-D & 3-D geometry, measurement, patterns, functions and change. Math at the Intermediate level spirals through the same concepts every year.

Image by smoochi on Flickr

This class will focus on teaching concepts to a greater depth or level of sophistication. So the curriculum will include instruction spanning from 4th grade through 6th grade mathematics, depending on individual student needs. The goal is to take your child as far in mathematics as they are able to go during the school year. Here’s a closer look at the 4th-6th_curriculum.

Beyond accelerating the curriculum. I’ll be able to provide enrichment during this time as well. This will give students a chance to tackle onerous problems that they may not otherwise have the opportunity to take on. We’ll also explore topics related to math in order to give students exposure to how mathematics is used by professionals in authentic contexts.

I’ll be using Challenge Math for this. The Challenge Math motto is, “Math is often taught as all scales and no music. This book contains the music!” This succinctly describes the purpose in providing enrichment. This will be especially important in giving students time to gain a deeper understanding of the mathematics and its importance.

We have a small class size Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. This enables me to develop individualized goals for students to work towards during class time and for homework. In addition to whole class instruction, students will also receive small group instruction, 1 on 1 instruction, online courses, and homework to meet their goals. Wednesdays we’ll be joined by another dozen students for mathematics enrichment.

*Edmodo is our Course Management System (CMS). This CMS enables me to easily send students assignments and to communicate with them when we are outside of class. If you’re interested in seeing how Edmodo works, contact me for a parent code. The code will give you the option to log on to edmodo.com and monitor your child’s progress.

*Khan Academy is a rich resource for mathematics from basic to advanced levels. It differentiates the types of problems students work on depending on their ability. It also supports students with learning new skills by providing hints and video lessons. Utilizing Khan Academy will help me to promote self-directed learning by enabling students to actively participate in their learning process by setting goals, making decisions on resources, and reflecting on the value of the outcomes. Khan Academy also provides me a portal to see how students are doing. I’ll use this information to help students set their personal goals. This will be used frequently for homework. If your child would like to work on Khan Academy beyond the scope of homework, that would be welcome. She/he may choose to explore areas that are currently beyond the scope of our class. I respect that. Khan Academy offers a safe environment for exploring new concepts without receiving negative social repercussions.

*Students receive homework through Edmodo. With the exception of holidays and breaks, homework will be given out Monday – Thursday. Depending on what we are working on, homework may be given daily as individual assignments or once on Monday and due on Thursday. Receiving assignments through Edmodo will alleviate the need to print out lots of paper. It also has the added benefit of ensuring that students don’t lose their homework. I believe this will be easier for you, your student and myself. However I’m open to letting the students print out their homework if necessary. Please let me know if access to the Internet poses a problem for you.

I encourage you to contact me if you have any questions, concerns, or insights to share.

Christopher EarthTree

Enrichment & Technology Teacher
Telluride Intermediate and Middle Schools
cearthtree        @         telluride.k12.co.us

* = Students are given the option to change their password. If they change it and later forget it, email me and I can reset it to a new password.