K-12 Mathematics

The K-12 mathematics program within Southern Lehigh School District will provide opportunities for all students to develop the ability to independently apply mathematical knowledge and skills to real-world situations. A robust and coherent curriculum will prepare students to think and reason mathematically while requiring them to demonstrate a deep understanding of mathematics. Students will develop critical thinking, problem solving, innovation, collaboration, and communication skills. A focus will be placed on using mathematics as a key to understanding the world, in order to meet the challenges of a dynamic society.

Mission Statement for K-12 Mathematics:
Empowering students to problem solve, innovate, and communicate mathematically to understand the world around them and seize tomorrow’s opportunities.

Guiding Principles for K-12 Mathematics:
Students will be able to...

• be flexible mathematical thinkers by generating and connecting various mathematical representations and concepts.
• look for, recognize, and use structure and patterns.
• apply and transfer mathematical knowledge, skills, and strategies to new and real world situations.
• reason abstractly and quantitatively.
• engage in mathematical discourse and communicate thinking using appropriate mathematical language and vocabulary.
• make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
• reflect and revise thinking to ensure reasonable solutions.
• model with mathematics.
• attend to precision.
• select and use appropriate tools strategically in order to deepen understanding of concepts.
• construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
• demonstrate both a conceptual understanding of mathematics and procedural fluency.

Best Practices for K-12 Mathematics:
Teachers will...

• promote the joy, wonder, and beauty of mathematics.
• develop a learning environment that promotes productive struggle, risk taking, self-efficacy, and resilience.  
• use and promote the use of a variety of mathematical representations (i.e. concrete, representational, abstract, verbal, and contextual).
• use goals to engage students in discussion about what they are learning and why they are learning it.
• use focused and leveled questioning to engage students in higher order thinking.
• provide opportunities for students to engage with authentic problem solving and challenging tasks.
• provide opportunities for students to acquire conceptual and procedural knowledge.
• provide opportunities for students to construct knowledge through mathematical discourse .
• provide opportunities for students to make sense of problems, analyze their thinking, and revise their work.
• provide opportunities for students to make connections with prior knowledge and build upon current understanding.
• help students develop metacognitive awareness.
• provide students with mathematical tools (including manipulatives), model their use, and encourage students to select appropriate tools strategically.
• provide opportunities for students to develop number sense.
• reinforce the use of precise mathematical language and vocabulary.
• help students embrace and learn from their mistakes.
• provide differentiated classroom instruction driven by assessment to meet the needs of all learners.