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Mathematics Department Statement Of Philosophy

The Mathematics Department at Immaculate Conception Academy espouses a philosophy which views education as learning HOW to learn, a process, not a terminal event or experience. The educational process must provide students with the tools to look critically at the world and to see options. The Mathematics curriculum is designed with this in mind. It is oriented toward furthering each student’s ability and maximizing her potential in mathematics. Integral to our philosophy is the desire to create and facilitate a classroom environment which minimizes fear, supports and builds upon the student’s confidence and esteem, and encourages the student to stretch and to reach beyond where she is currently achieving.

Goals:

1) To develop the critical skills of each student:

• by involving questioning techniques that create student interaction and encourage exploration;
• by encouraging students to solve problems in a variety of ways;
• by involving students in active learning situations; and
• by encouraging students to estimate solutions, make conjectures, question, and make connections.

2) To model and require careful and accurate use of mathematical vocabulary:

• by requiring students to verbalize the process used in problem solving; and
• by requiring students to communicate what they are thinking/learning about mathematics verbally and in writing.

3) To require and develop the reading and writing of mathematics:

• by encouraging students to read problems aloud as they work on them; and
• by using evaluative process that require the reading and writing of mathematics.

4) To challenge each student to take as much high school mathematics as she is able to successfully complete:

• by striving for accurate placement of a student in her freshman year;
• by fostering a classroom environment which supports and builds upon each student’s confidence level and self-esteem; and
• by consolation with each student for placement in successive math courses.

5) To offer a college preparatory program in mathematics:

• by offering Algebra 1 through Calculus, with Advanced Placement and Honors classes.

6) To offer courses designed to meet the needs of students who demonstrate a deficiency in mathematical skills and/or preparation:

• by offering courses such as Algebra 1a, Algebra 1b and Informal Geometry; and
• by offering a summer school program for incoming ninth graders.