Math – Finding the Curiosity and Creativity!

We are just a month into the 2023-2024 school year and our school is filled with the new school excitement. At Detroit Achievement Academy we believe character leads to success and encourage our students to embrace our Habits of Character academically and personally.

The teachers are diving deep into math with the students. Math…math... can often be a triggering word for others. We have our students covered and believe there’s a math scholar in each student. This year we switched over our math curriculum to Illustrative Math. Our teachers spent a few weeks this summer learning the new curriculum. Our school wide focus is allowing our students to find curiosity and creativity with mathematics. Students need time, practice, repetition, and application practice to master content. Illustrative Math focuses on building in language and connection with key concepts. We can’t wait to see our students growth as they go on this adventure.

But, exactly how is DAA fostering curiosity and creativity with mathematics?

In 6 th grade Brother Patel (our ELA 5 th and 6 th grade teacher) is area and perimeter during his morning meeting activity with his homeroom. Students are using their math knowledge along with creativity to collaborate as a classroom to flip over a carpet only using each other and their feet. They are actively trying to accomplish the task. This is okay, as math takes practice and time!

Grades k-8 have a daily math workshop in their classroom. Our students are engaging in math facts practice using programs such as Moby Max and IXL Math. They work at their own pace and fill in the gaps using the platforms. Teachers are utilizing task cards, and math games. At DAA we believe in reaching every student and finding a holistic approach with a curriculum that is adaptable.

Stay tuned for more math updates as the year progresses!