This webpage provides an outline of what is happening in elementary mathematics at HWDSB. It is a site which will be helpful for teachers, administrators and parents to understand the direction of mathematics in the classroom and to provide resource support for developing mathematical thinkers.
HWDSB has a total of 15 teachers who are employed as Math Facilitators. As a team, these teachers work with teachers, students and principals to deepen the understanding of an effective numeracy program for students. Facilitators work with Junior Kindergarten classes through to grade eight classes with a focus on enhancing students’ critical thinking and achievement in mathematics.
Download our Mission Statement.
Math Facilitation Team - Top
- John Leyzer, Wes Hahn, Helen McGregor - Principals of Organizational Leadership
- Jean Lehman – Administrative Assistant
| Cluster West |
Cluster North |
Cluster South |
- Leslie Brown
- Sandy Chow
- Katherina Macartney
- Kelly McCrory
- Sumona Roy
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- Mary Elliott
- Brooke Kauth
- Victoria Resovac
- Sherry Romaniw
- Lisa Roppel
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- Linda Bland
- John Farruggia
- Tom Fleming
- Kelly Maudsley
- Faye Socholotiuk
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Math Facilitator Role
- Work Collaboratively with teachers and administration in supporting numeracy
- Support teachers in the implementation of a balanced numeracy program
- Connect theory and classroom practice through lesson study
- Model and Co-Teach lessons and instructional strategies
- Promote the effective use of numeracy resources
- Support data analysis
Lesson Study - Job-embedded Professional Learning
To discover more about the lesson study process, from your FirstClass desktop, follow HWDSB Conferences > HWDSB Elementary Curriculum Share > HWDSB Elementary Mathematics
Math Walls and Boards - Top
This grade three math board depicts student generated solutions, communication stems and strategies. It is important for students to be able to refer to THEIR OWN WORK for references to math communication and strategies for solving problems. (Click the image on the left for a larger view.)
This grade two French classroom uses tallies, a bar graph, temperature measurement and calendar numbers as part of their daily exercises. Note the student generated work – the emphasis now is on students making sense of their own thoughts and representing them in a way that makes sense.(Click the image on the right for a larger view.)
Featured Manipulative - Top
Pattern Blocks
All students, not just young ones, need to manipulate concrete objects in order to develop a true understanding of geometry, arithmetic and measurement. They need time to explore any new material on their own, before they are asked to do a specific activity. - Trevor Brown
Pattern blocks are useful for:
- Tessellations
- Symmetry
- Translations
- Fractions
- Angles
- Number patterns
- Ratios
- Perimeter
- Area
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Fraction Ideas:
Make a hexagon from identical shapes. Name each piece as a fraction of the hexagon. For example, a red trapezoid would be ½ of a hexagon, a red rhombus would be 1/3 of a hexagon
- Fill the yellow shape at right with blocks of one colour
- What fraction is each block of the whole shape?
- Fill the shape using another colour.
- Make your own shape to fill in.
- Try mixing colours.
- Can you figure out what fraction each block is of the whole shape?
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Number Patterns:
To make:
- blue rhombus, it takes 2 green triangles
- blue rhombi, it takes 4 green triangles
- blue rhombi, it takes _______ green triangles?
Charts can be used to record the results:
Featured Website - Top
Interactive learning activities (grades 7-12) developed by Ontario's Ministry of Education, grounded in research.
www.oame.on.ca/CLIPS
Numeracy Resources - Top
Text Resources:
H.W.D.S.B. elementary schools support their math instruction with one of three textbook program choices: Nelson Mathematics K – 8, Pearson Math Makes Sense and Chenelière Mathématiques (French Immersion). In addition, staff draw on the ideas from such authors as Catherine Twomey Fosnot & Maarten Dolk, Lucy West, Marilyn Burns and John A. Van de Walle & LouAnn H. Lovin. Below are the links to these resources.
Websites:
The following are a list of websites to help support student learning and teacher planning.
Parent Resources: - Top
Math @ Home
What tips can I use to help my child?
- Be positive about math!
- Make math part of your child’s day.
- Encourage your child to give explanations.
| Understanding Numbers |
Understanding Measurement |
- Count everything!
- Sing counting songs and read counting books
- Discover the many ways in which numbers are used inside and outside your home.
- Ask your child to help you solve everyday number problems
- Practice “skip counting” together
- Make up games using dice and playing cards
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- Measure items found around the house
- Estimate everything!
- Compare and organize household items
- Talk about time
- Keep a record of the daily temperature outside and of your child’s outdoor activities
- Include your child in activities that involve measurement
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| Understanding Geometry |
Understanding Patterns |
- Identify shapes and sizes
- Build structures using blocks or old boxes
- Hide an item and use directional language to help your child find it
- Play “I Spy”, looking for different shapes
- Ask your child to draw a picture of your street, neighbourhood or town
- Go on a “shape hunt”
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- Look for patterns in storybooks and songs
- Create patterns using your body
- Hunt for patterns around your house and your neighbourhood
- Use household items to create and extend patterns
- Explore patterns created by numbers (especially on a hundreds chart)
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| Understanding and Managing Data |
Math Meals |
- Sort household items
- Make a weather graph
- Make a food chart
- Talk about the likelihood of events
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- At dinner time, make up math stories about food
- Ask questions about food: How can we cut this pie so everyone gets the same amount? I can see a cone in the carrot. Can you see a sphere on your plate? What food can you think of that is shaped like a rectangular prism?
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Other Documents - Top
