Category Archives: math

Montessori Mathematics in Upper Elementary

“Great creations come from the mathematical mind, so we must always consider all that is mathematical as a means of mental development. It is certain that mathematics organises the abstract path of the mind, so we must offer it at … Continue reading

Posted in math, Montessori method, Upper Elementary

Multiple algorithms in Upper Elementary Math

As students practice and master math concepts that they first learned using the Montessori manipulatives, they transition to solving problems on paper alone. This is called the Passage to Abstraction. Montessori materials help children intuitively understand what they are doing when … Continue reading

Posted in math, Upper Elementary

Deductive Reasoning and Puzzle Solving

Middle School Math students in Marcia’s classes got a wonderful treat last week. Dr. Jeff Wanko visited the classroom and gave a presentation on deductive reasoning and puzzle solving. Dr. Wanko is the chair of the Department of Teacher Education at Miami … Continue reading

Posted in guest speakers, math, Middle School, upper unit

Snapshots from Lower Elementary

We’ve had such a smooth transition into fall in Lower Elementary over the past few weeks. All of our students are now fully immersed in some of the topics and activities that they will be learning about and working on all … Continue reading

Posted in language arts, Lower Elementary, math, outside, science

Roman Numerals in Mathematics and Language Arts

Many Montessori materials contain elements that link to one another, often bridging the gap between two or more content areas that might seem like an unlikely match. Take the use of Roman numerals, for instance. The first place that many … Continue reading

Posted in language arts, Lower Elementary, math

Prime Numbers with Nancy

At McGuffey, we all wear different hats—from the literal hats and caps that students wear on Crazy Hat Day (see above for our friend in the fuzzy hat, left hand corner) to the symbolic hats that staff members wear when they … Continue reading

Posted in math, McGuffey, upper unit

Learning about fractions in Lower Elementary

This week, Lower Elementary students have been working with fractions. They’ve learned that fractions can be equivalent to each other even if they’re not written exactly the same, and also that we can tell which fractions are greater than or … Continue reading

Posted in Lower Elementary, math

“Oh how we hate to get up in the morning!”  

This year, students in Grades 7 and 8 have made shifts in order to arrive at school to start mathematics at 8:30am. This allows them to receive a full 60 – 90 minutes of math each day. Marcia, their mathematics … Continue reading

Posted in math, Middle School

How About Dem Apples

The 6th grade students have begun Pre-Algebra. This past week we reviewed the coordinate axis system and how to plot points.  As a fun activity each student created an apple by plotting given points and then connecting them. They all … Continue reading

Posted in math

Upper Elementary Math

Grades 4 and 5 have been working on a variety of topics in math these past weeks.  Some 4th and 5th graders are beginning using the Decimal Materials to look at how they can add decimals and “regroup” when necessary. … Continue reading

Posted in math, Upper Elementary