New Math Program, GoMath

The Cache County School District has adopted a new math program this year for grades 1-4. This is because of the new Utah Common Core that is being implemented.  Our students are going to be tested by the standards of this new core, and they need to be prepared for what is expected.  GoMath will help them be ready.

This is different from any other math program I have taught, but I love it!  It is challenging, high-level thinking and exactly what our children need to be practicing.  At the end of math time, both the students and I are mentally tired, but isn't that what we want?  We want them digging and searching to figure things out.  For so many years we have been simplifying mathematics by just learning steps or formulas without learning the "how" and "why".  GoMath teaches these skills.  We work daily, in math, for 60-90 minutes together, with partners, and alone.  Then they come home with homework to practice again what we have been learning.  

It is critical as parents, that you take the the time each night to go over their homework with them and see what your child is doing in class.  The methods and strategies can be very different from what you and I learned growing up, but remember it is new, it can be difficult, but they are doing it! As the program works its way up through the grades it will make this type of learning easier for them each year.  Please be patient with them and me.  We are ALL learning math this year!

As a result of these new methods, sometimes the homework is difficult for the parents as well as the children.  I will be posting a simple video tutorial each time a new lesson is taught. You and your child can watch the video together to assist in helping with homework.  Hopefully this will alleviate a little stress during math homework time.  :-)