CES 1st Graders: Smartest Mathematicians in Council
The first grade class in Council Elementary School is knocking it out of the park with their Idaho State Istation Math testing scores! A couple of months ago, the overall score of the class was 96%. As a way to motivate the class, I told them if they reached 100% as the class overall score I would write to the newspaper and report to the whole community that they are the smartest mathematicians in Council!
The components that make up the class overall score include number sense, measurement and data analysis, geometry and computations and algebraic thinking. While we are not quite through the curriculum for this year, overall our class has already scored 100% in the computation and algebraic thinking category, showing their solid grasp of this math concept.
Number sense is when they can manipulate given numbers to create a true number sentence. For example, they are given 6, 4, 10, plus, minus and equal signs. They then need to know how to manipulate those numbers to create either a subtraction or addition sentence. They also need to identify “how many more” to reach a stated number.
Measurement and data refers to telling time, reading a data chart, determining halves or fourths, ordering things from longest to shortest or vice versa.
Geometry is telling how many vertices a shape has and if it is 3-D or 2-D and figuring how many more vertices one shape has than another as well as identifying shapes.
In many ways I contribute their success to the Eureka GreatMinds math curriculum. It really sets them up well for understanding the state testing format. Of course, I must also give credit where credit is due; the students themselves. This class of 2036 is very gifted mathematically. It is a pleasure and joy to teach math to a class that lights up with excitement over geometry, tens, ones, and data analysis! I am keeping my eyes on this class because I see future doctors, lawyers, builders, artists, farmers, rodeo queens, policemen and women and bankers! If you happen to run into a first grade student this week in town, please congratulate them on their mathematical success!
