High School Math

Philosophical Statement

The Kenosha Unified School District believes that all children have the right to learn significant mathematics to prepare them for success in school, college or the workplace, and life as a productive citizen of the global economy. Therefore, the District offers a comprehensive mathematics curriculum for grades 4K-12 that sets high expectations and offers strong support for all students to reach their full potential. Mathematics classrooms must be welcoming places where students feel safe to take risks and learn from their mistakes. To achieve this, we must create culturally responsive, inclusive classrooms which specifically acknowledge the presence of culturally and academically diverse students and the need for these students to find relevant connections between themselves, mathematics and the classroom tasks.

High quality mathematics instruction requires teachers to utilize a variety of instructional strategies and resources to engage students in meaningful tasks. Through these rich and purposely developed mathematical experiences, teachers develop students’ skills as both problem solvers and critical thinkers. Students will practice working collectively and reflectively with the skilled guidance of their teachers to advance learning and increase levels of procedural skill and fluency, conceptual understanding, and applications. Through collaboration, students will learn to explain and defend their thinking and respectfully critique the reasoning of others. Students will communicate their ideas using the precise language of mathematics, both oral and written. Teachers use a variety of assessment techniques to guide instruction and determine students’ level of mastery of grade level or course standards. Technology serves as a teaching tool to enhance students’ conceptual understanding and support the development of procedural skills and fluency.

Effective communication and collaboration between teachers, administrators, students and families is essential to achieve success for all students. Families are encouraged to communicate the importance of mathematics with their children and collaborate with the teacher and school to ensure mathematical success.