Lower School

The Lower School Math program at the Girls' School of Austin uses hands-on activities, manipulatives, and real world applications to practice and master the content in each grade level. The learning environment is open-ended, student- directed, and problem/inquiry focused. The program stresses mathematical reasoning, mathematical communication, and collaborative solution finding. The curriculum helps students apply math in other subjects and in daily life.

Kindergarten

The kindergarten Math curriculum exposes the girls to mathematical concepts through literature and real-life situations. Manipulatives and enriching games are integrated into instruction to further teach hands-on problem solving skills. The following mathematical objectives are introduced and developed in kindergarten math: sorting and classifying, geometry, numeration, graphing, patterns, spatial relations and positions, measurement, single-digit addition and subtraction, money, and time.

First Grade

The 1st grade curriculum focuses heavily on developing problem solving skills. Within each strand, girls are challenged to apply their knowledge of mathematics concepts through enriched, hands-on tasks. Through daily partner, group, and independent activities, students develop number sense in double-digit whole numbers, and strengthen their skills and understanding with respect to double-digit addition/subtraction facts, patterns, geometry, time to the hour and half-hour, coin counting, and measurement.

Second Grade

The 2nd grade Math curriculum solidifies basic facts from 1st grade, while extending skills to 3-digit addition and subtraction. Students explore place value, money, time to the quarter-hour, graphing, geometry, fractions, and beginning multiplication/division skills through hands-on investigations and logical reasoning activities. Basic measurement skills are practiced and extended using scientific investigations of balance, length, weight and volume. Manipulatives and games help students gain a concrete understanding of these concepts and support the activity-based environment.

Third Grade

The 3rd grade Math curriculum takes basic 1st and 2nd grade skills to the next level. Problem solving and high order thinking problems are strongly emphasized. Addition/subtraction skills are reviewed and extended up to 4-digit problems, and multiplication/division skills are further strengthened. Students reinforce their growing bank of mathematical skills and concepts (including place value, patterns, time and money, probability, geometry, graphing, fractions, decimals, and measurement) through hands-on activities involving games and the incorporation of technology.

Fourth Grade

Students in 4th grade are expected to gain mastery of the basic multiplication/division facts by using a variety of manipulatives, math centers, and problem solving skills to practice and strengthen understanding of each concept. Real life scenarios are used to help girls apply their math skills and learn problem solving strategies built upon previously learned concepts. Particular focus is placed on geometry, fractions, probability, place value, and decimals. Basic algebra skills will be introduced through Hands-On Equations by using manipulatives to relate abstract ideas using concrete examples.

Middle School

The standard progression in mathematics at the Girls' School leads to Algebra in 8th grade. We offer Geometry to our advanced students who have already completed Algebra. The middle school math program uses Everyday Math by the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project (UCSMP) in the 5th and 6th grades, followed by Transitions Mathematics and Algebra (the secondary school program also by the University of Chicago Mathematics Project) at the 7th and 8th grades. Middle school math students are also encouraged to participate in the math competitions offered by PSIA (Private Schools Interscholastic Association) and the AMC 8 (American Mathematics Contest). All math courses (kindergarten through 8th grade) are offered first period in the morning, and students are advanced to the level of appropriate challenge.

Fifth Grade

5th grade math is a continuation of the curriculum used by the lower school—Everyday Mathematics (McGraw Hill). This curriculum was developed by the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project (UCSMP) with the intent of empowering students to learn more content in math as well as to increase thinking skills. With this spiraling program of study students work to master new concepts as well as to strengthen previous skills in areas such as number theory, estimation and computation, geometry, division, fractions, decimals, percents, exponents, negative number, ratios and proportions, coordinates, area, and volume, as well as measurement, data analysis and probability.

Although Everyday Mathematics sufficiently prepares the girls for taking algebra by 8th grade, teachers make significant use of supplementary materials such as problems from the Singapore Math Program and Math Forum: Problem of the Week to advance problem solving skills. Text: University of Chicago School Mathematics Project: Everyday Math Grade 5 (McGraw Hill)

Sixth Grade

6th grade math extends basic skills and moves students closer to Algebra. Students practice with whole numbers and exponents, understanding variables and expressions, and employing the order of operations. They utilize a variety of operations with decimals and fractions, and practice factoring and prime factorization. Students organize and plot data, becoming familiar with the graphing process and measures of central tendency. An introduction to geometry addresses polygon relationships, transformations, tessellations, and coordinate geometry. Students apply their understanding of mathematical concepts to determine perimeter, area, circumference, volume and surface area of solids. The year culminates with a study of probability and functions, connecting the students' prior learning to algebraic concepts. Text: University of Chicago School Math Project: Everyday Math Grade 6 (McGraw Hill)

Seventh Grade

In 7th grade Math, students work to develop the skills, habits, and knowledge that will support them in Algebra. Emphasis is placed on recognizing patterns in data, formula, and representations. The curriculum begins with organizing data, understanding populations and samples, and interpreting visual representations of data. Students solidify mastery of basic operations with decimals and fractions and then apply this knowledge to proportion, ratio, and percent problems. An overview of geometry focuses on polygon relationships, including similar and congruent figures, transformations, symmetry and tessellations. Students explore area, volume, and surface area of complex figures and use the Pythagorean Theorem to find triangle measurements. The year ends with the study of statistics along with multi-step equations/inequalities/functions. Text: University of Chicago School Mathematics Project: Transition Mathematics (McGraw Hill)

Eighth Grade

Algebra
Algebra students learn how to translate number patterns and "real life" mathematical questions into variables and equations that can be manipulated and solved. Students synthesize cumulative knowledge to understand the principles and concepts underlying familiar shortcuts, and begin to derive formulas to describe procedures. They learn and practice multiple ways to approach problems and check solutions. In Algebra I, students develop logical approaches, precise procedures, and effective strategies for improving performance and avoiding common mistakes. They increase familiarity with tech-tools like the graphing calculator, and increase their understanding of how calculators and computers are designed to work with respect to solving math problems. Students recognize and appreciate how mathematics interrelates with science, music, art, sports, literature and history. Text: University of Chicago School Mathematics Project: Algebra (McGraw Hill)

Geometry
For students who have progressed beyond Algebra, we offer geometry. Guided by the essential questions, "What is proof and what makes a good proof?" students explore geometry using inductive and deductive methods. This course includes a substantial amount of writing and is supplemented with problems from the Math Forum's Problem of the Week. In order to improve spatial skills, students make use of Geometer's Sketchpad—the interactive geometry software developed by Key Curriculum Press. Students also participate in the annual Mathematical Association of America's AMC 8 math competition. Texts: Michael Serra, Discovering Geometry (Key Curriculum Press) and Harold Jacobs, Geometry (W.H. Freeman)