Math

 

Math at AMS is taught in varying formats. Small class sizes (6-9 children) allow great flexibility; in some classes students learn best as a single group, in others they may work in small groups or individually. Consequently, the math program and methods are tailored to group or individual needs.

Math concepts and processes are constantly linked to other parts of our curriculum, especially science and social studies. For example, the prospect of a recent logging project on the AMS property boundary stimulated a series of thought provoking scientific questions resulting in various formulas and equations to be solved during math class.

Since we are fortunate to live in a spacious and diverse environment, math skills are exercised within our natural surroundings: inside and outside school buildings, in the kitchen, in our woodshop and elsewhere.

Our goal and hope is for all students to understand that math is essentially a language that is usable in many facets of life- and is therefore worth mastering to the best of their abilities.

Students work collaboratively to solve problems as well as individually to work on specific mathematic goals, related to their own level of understanding. The textbooks we currently use, Connected Mathematics for 7th and 8th grades, and Core-Plus Mathematics for 9th grade, emphasize the same philosophies that guide our overall curriculum. Each program can be accessed online for specific information: www.connectedmath.msu.edu and www.wmich.edu/cpmp.

Students who are enrolled at the Arthur Morgan School for all three years most often graduate with a credit in Algebra 1, even though our curriculum is integrated to include both geometry and algebra standards. Some students have received honors-level credit for their work or have worked independently with a staff tutor to meet their individual needs.