Early Elementary
The Cooper School students develop both a procedural and conceptual understanding of Math. In the early grades, whole group, small group and individual instruction provides ample time for these early mathematicians to develop strong mathematical thinking. Math concepts are presented within a real world context and with the use of concrete objects, allowing children to develop strong number sense and problem solving skills. Children begin to learn how to articulate their mathematical thinking orally and in writing. Teachers guide students to develop intuitive mathematical reasoning through exploration of math materials, mathematical games and direct instruction.
Middle Elementary
Middle Elementary students delve deeper into logical reasoning and mathematical operations. Students continue to connect mathematical ideas to real life experiences and they develop analytical reasoning skills and discover multiple ways to arrive at correct solutions. Students identify and access mathematical tools independently, and become more adept at the articulation of their mathematical thinking. Students competently and creatively experiment with math materials and engage in lively math discussions in the classroom. Direct instruction continues as whole group, small group and individual. Mathematical thinking is extended through enrichment and supported through readiness activities each day, and students are assessed daily.
Upper Elementary
Upper Elementary students work toward grade appropriate mastery in numbers and operations, geometry, algebra, measurement and data analysis. They continue to develop as strong mathematical thinkers, displaying self-efficacy in problem solving. These strong mathematicians engage in meta cognition by monitoring and reflecting on their mathematical processes. Teachers continue to guide students through whole class, small group and individual instructions. Students are assessed daily in order to ensure they are appropriately challenged. Students engage in a variety of enrichment math projects, through the use of discovery, inquiry, and technology. Students graduate from The Cooper School with a strong math skill set, a deep understanding of numerical relationships, and a willingness to think critically and apply math in the real world.
Middle School
The Cooper School Middle School follows the guidelines set by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and is aligned to Common Core standards. Therefore, our math curriculum is an integrated approach that helps students view math in a holistic way. Middle School students use Illustrative Math for their Core Curriculum with enrichment pulled from Groundworks and developed by our Math faculty.
Grade 6
Sixth grade mathematics is about (1) connecting ratio and rate to whole number multiplication and division and using concepts of ratio and rate to solve problems; (2) completing understanding of division of fractions and extending the notion of number to the system of rational numbers, which includes negative numbers; (3) writing, interpreting, and using expressions and equations; and (4) developing understanding of statistical thinking.
Grade 7
Seventh grade mathematics is about (1) developing understanding of and applying proportional relationships; (2) developing understanding of operations with rational numbers and working with expressions and linear equations; (3) solving problems involving scale drawings and informal geometric constructions, and working with two- and three-dimensional shapes to solve problems involving area, surface area, and volume; and (4) drawing inferences about populations based on samples.
Grade 8
Eighth grade mathematics is about (1) formulating and reasoning about expressions and equations, including modeling an association in bivariate data with a linear equation, and solving linear equations and systems of linear equations; (2) grasping the concept of a function and using functions to describe quantitative relationships; (3) analyzing two- and three-dimensional space and figures using distance, angle, similarity, and congruence, and understanding and applying the Pythagorean Theorem. Algebra skills are extended by simplifying and balancing complex expressions, and student drive formulas to solve problems involving geometric shapes.