Mathematics
What if math class was a place where kids’ problem solving and deep thinking skills could come alive, and a place where they grow in their confidence and adaptability? What if math class placement could be based on what a student is actually ready to learn, rather than standard grade-based curricula?
At Acera, the school year starts with a series of math problem-solving exercises, offered up in an encouraging way with adults who observe and coach them along. And this, then, correlates with placement in math classes that honor their capacities and needs, instead of just their age.
We typically offer 16 different math classes for our students, including algebra 1 & 2, discrete math, number theory. geometry, algebra 2, pre-calculus, calculus and beyond. Ability-based math classes become feasible through a scheduling framework of holding math classes at the same time across multiple classrooms and multiple grades. Annually, we revisit which math classes we will offer each year to fit students’ capabilities.
Because children learn when they are engaged, we base our math program on problem solving that promotes active participation in a way that works for the age and the style of the group; using puzzles, games, discussions, group problem solving, and more to create lessons that invite students to think deeply and be excited about math. Our program uses both the Common Core and MA State Standards as guideposts so our students are able to move into their next steps after Acera easily. Using guideposts are just that – general markers – but this is not limiting to our students’ learning. The emphasis is on learning in-context and taking an investigative, hands-on approach. Teachers identify needs and goals and leverage a variety of curricula to define the best learning program for their students. They have the flexibility to follow student interests or to go off on a tangent and bring in other topics as the year develops.
We want all students to have a solid foundation in mathematics. In the early years, this means developing number sense and spatial reasoning, as well as building a logical and coherent understanding of math. At higher levels, number sense expands to working fluently with fractions and decimals, followed by algebraic expressions. We want our students to have flexibility in how they approach problems and to have a deep understanding of concepts, allowing them to be creative problem solvers. When our students are ahead of the guideline grade level guideposts, we continue to challenge them with high-level material. Teachers draw from a huge range of mathematical topics, from finding patterns in sequences to rigorously defining infinity, from building Platonic solids to finding math in biology.
