Focus on LS Math

Louisa Connaughton is Brimmer’s Pre-K to Grade 6 Math Specialist. She has led some exciting work with our students as well as partnering with our teachers to help them grow and develop as educators.

 

Ms. Connaughton spends time in each grade level, working with students individually, in small groups, and in a whole class setting. Her work with students has included conducting individual math interviews in Pre-K and Grade 1, facilitating number talks and small group activities in K and Grade 2, co-teaching math classes in Grades 3, 4, and 5, and hosting an optional math lunch in Grade 4. Louisa’s work in classrooms and with individuals has provided students with additional math support and problem-solving tools, as well as providing enrichment and extension opportunities where appropriate. 

 

In addition to working with students, Louisa is also partnering with teachers to plan, assess, and reflect on both the growth and development of students, as well as teachers’ own growth and development as educators. Louisa and other math teachers created a Lower School Math Mission Statement that we are in the process of refining and will share in the upcoming weeks. The purpose of this statement is to serve as a focal point for our community; when questions about practice, pedagogy, content, or curriculum arise, we can look to our mission statement for guidance about how to move forward.  

 

This spring, we will begin a comprehensive math curriculum review. The process will begin by closely examining a selection of highly rated, research-supported math programs, including the two programs we use now: EnVisions 2.0 and Investigations 3. Following our review, we will select two programs to pilot during the 2023-2024 school year. The curriculum review process is both challenging and rewarding, as well as necessary to ensure that we continue to deliver high-quality and pedagogically sound math instruction.  

 

The final part of Louisa’s job involves providing resources to families so they have tools to support students at home. Click here for some websites that Louisa has collected that are informative and useful. 

 

As you can see, we have math on the mind in the Lower School and are strategically thinking about our curriculum, our teaching practices, and our models for student support. We look forward to sharing more about the curriculum review process later in the year.