An extensive update on the mathematics curriculum for grades 5-12 was given to the School Committee last Thursday that included an overview of each grade level’s focus areas, directions for classroom instruction, and course progressions.
Assistant Superintendent Adam Federico, Lynnfield Middle School Math Curriculum Director Katie Ambroise, and Lynnfield High School Math Department Head Karen Ellis presented an in-depth review of all facets of this curriculum to the committee.
“When we talk about curriculum, it’s not just one book or one approach,” Federico said. “It’s really a collection of a number of different things when we think about curriculum.”
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education defines curriculum as “the detailed description of all the elements that make up an instructional program.”
This large scope is narrowed down by the school district year-round to create a common understanding of how the subject is taught to students.
The units and lessons for math class are based around the Massachusetts Mathematics Curriculum Framework, Ambroise said. Standards such as abstract and quantitative reasoning, appropriate tool use, and modeling with mathematics are also based on this framework.
The presentation stressed the importance of a variety of instructional methods within the classroom, from hands-on activities to collaborative group work, allowing students with all learning styles to succeed.
“Math, really, is all about practice. Practice, practice, practice, that’s the best way to study for a test. That’s really the best way to get better. Practice,” Ambroise said.
Two math interventionists are new to the middle school this year and have been helping students who need extra support. A new group of students using this program will follow in the coming months.
The district is also always looking for new electives to add for students, similar to what the high school was able to achieve with Project Lead the Way, which has provided an Intro to Engineering course.
Ellis laid out other electives that the department is hoping to add depending on the budget for the 2025-26 year, including Computer Aided Design, Interactive Device Design, Electronics, and Robotics.
This would join a number of career oriented electives that LHS already offers, including business and computer science courses.
“Computer science, it’s the way of the future, and we would love to get our students more involved,” said Ellis.
