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5th Grade Math
The fifth grade math program, while meeting the Mansfield curricular standards and those established by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and State of Connecticut Frameworks, works to provide meaningful experiences in mathematics for all students. The focus of the program is to make math more meaningful to students. Hands-on investigations and discussions of various problems allow students to probe what they know while constructing new knowledge. Our program involves students working through various modules from the Mathematics in Context program developed by Encyclopedia Britannica. This series introduces mathematical concepts through "real-life" situations while extending basic skills, problem solving and logical reasoning. The program requires students to be engaged in multi-step problems that enable students to use various learning strategies.

Computation practice occurs regularly allowing students to focus on the basic skills that are involved with the topics being covered in the current module. In preparation for the sixth grade Connecticut Mastery Test students are provided with a CMT Handbook highlighting monthly objectives that are tested for mastery. Students are offered a range of enrichment opportunities including Continental Math League, the Stock Market Game, "Puzzles of the Week", Math Mysteries, and various options through the Interest Center. Students learn organization and study skills while following guidelines to organize their work in a math notebook. The notebooks are used throughout the year and the students are often required to refer back to previously learned information. The students are also required to develop a glossary of mathematical terms defined in their own words. Providing students with mathematical situations that allow them to use basic skills and construct new knowledge makes math more meaningful.

6^th Grade Math
The sixth grade math program, while meeting Mansfield curricular standards and those established by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and State of Connecticut Frameworks, works to provide meaningful experiences in mathematics for all students. Our students work through various modules in a program titled Mathematics in Context. This series provides contexts for students that make math "real-life" for students as well as it builds a rich foundation for studying higher levels of mathematics. Students examine topics centered around four mathematical strands, Number Sense, Algebra, Geometry, and Probability & Statistics. In sixth grade, we anticipate being able to cover 8 modules. Below are their titles, along with the strand from which they come:

The sixth grade math program is supplemented with a regular skills focus. Computation practice occurs regularly within math classes, as well as occasionally during the "Focus On…" time period Friday morning. (This time period has been set aside as a time to "focus on", as a grade level, basic skills in math, reading and writing.) Students have regular practice working with whole numbers, decimals, fractions, and percents. Skill development is checked regularly with classroom assessments, as well as twice a year with the district-wide Computation Test.

Our math program is enhanced through our Wednesday on I.C.E. program. Often on this day, students will be asked to solve a P.O.D. (Problem of the Day) in which they are presented a realistic task to solve with a small team of "co-workers." Students are required to solve the problem within a given time period and submit a written report of their solution to their "supervisor." The structure of the day also allows us to integrate mathematics into other subject areas. This allows students to see appropriate applications of mathematics outside the "math classroom." Overall, the sixth grade math program works in conjunction with district and school mathematics objectives.

7^th Grade Math
From graphing calculators to calculator based labs, seventh grade students are exploring their world and the world of technology. The seventh grade math program, while meeting Mansfield curricular standards and those established by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and State of Connecticut Frameworks, works to provide meaningful experiences in mathematics for all students. Our students work through various modules in a program titled Mathematics in Context. This series allows students to study mathematics using real life problems and situations. It builds a rich, conceptual foundation for studying higher levels of mathematics. Students examine topics centered on four mathematical strands, Number Sense, Algebra, Geometry, and Probability & Statistics. In seventh grade, we anticipate being able to cover 8 modules. Below are their titles, along with the strand from which they come:

Our math program is enhanced through an interdisciplinary unit entitled, "The Mansfield Mall." Students develop a product, conduct a survey to improve their product, produce a prototype, create advertising, calculate unit costs, rent, taxes and go into full production. This allows students to see appropriate applications of mathematics outside the "math classroom." Overall, the seventh grade math program works in conjunction with national and state content standards.

8^th Grade Math
There are three unique mathematical opportunities for students in the eighth grade. The majority of eighth graders are in the Math In Context program. MiC is an exciting new curriculum that we have adopted in grades 5-8. MiC helps students develop mathematical thinking through contexts that make sense. Students in this program will study concepts in number sense, algebra, geometry, and statistics. For further information on MiC go to http://www.ebmic.com/ebec/index.htm.

For students that are one year accelerated we offer a traditional Algebra I course which is equivalent to E.O. Smith's Math I. In Algebra I students study linear, quadratic equations, multiple variable equations, and problem solving. For students that are two years accelerated we offer a traditional Geometry course which is equivalent to E.O. Smith's Math II. In Geometry students study formal logic, properties of parallel lines, congruent and similar figures, properties of right triangles, right-triangle trigonometry, area of plane figures, and surface area and volume of solids.

Students review basic skills through daily warm-up exercises. A key component of the eighth mathematics is problem solving. For examples of the problems given to our students see http://forum.swarthmore.edu/pow/. Students in all programs are given the opportunities to use technology as a problem-solving tool. Examples of technology in use include graphing calculators, The Geometer's Sketchpad, spreadsheets, and calculator-based labs.

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