Mathematics Curriculum
Above: Our students in action at the annual Justin Siena Math Competition.
Mathematics
Mathematics at St. Francis Solano School is not only a practical and necessary tool for daily living, but it helps students recognize patterns, predict trends, and think logically and creatively to solve non-math related problems. St. Francis Solano School meets or exceeds California State standards in mathematics and assimilates Common Core standards, while making sure that the individual educational needs of each of our students are met in the process. If students are advanced in math, there is the potential for them to move ahead in Middle School (Gr 6-8) in order to take Algebra in the 8th grade. In some cases, more advanced students are ready for Algebra in 7th grade and must take the High School Algebra 1 final to qualify for a Geometry class in 8th grade. Advanced students will be provided extra, individualized math curriculum to maintain a level of challenge.
Kindergarten
Kindergarteners begin their journey with math by learning shapes. We then begin patterning, recognizing numbers and their quantities. Mid-year we challenge our students with addition sentences and towards Spring subtraction. A large part of Kindergarten Math is vocabulary and we spend all year learning this vocabulary, applying it whenever we can. Regardless of the subject matter, math is fun and can be applied in many ways.
1st Grade
First grade students continue their study of addition and then learn subtraction strategies. We study place value, counting patterns, making and interpreting graphs, identity of money, time, measurement and story problems.
2nd Grade
We study single, double and triple addition and subtraction, identify the value of coins and count with them, use measurement in standard and nonstandard units, fractions, and introduce multiplication and division.
3rd Grade
The Third Graders learn multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, money, and geometry, all using the Common Core Standards.
4th Grade
A comprehensive curriculum, using state standards including number sense, place value, multiplication, division, introduction to algebra theory, geometry, fractions, decimals, order of operations, logic, graphing.
5th Grade
Operations with decimals, fractions, algebra expressions and equations, and two and three-dimensional geometry.
6th Grade
In 6th grade students continue and deepen their explorations with mathematics. Fractions, terminating decimals, and integers are now known as rational numbers. The concept of irrational numbers is introduced. Mastering of fractions becomes key by this grade and applications of proportions, fractions, percent and geometry are all covered in greater depth. Algebra concepts such as expressions, equations and graphing are also explored.
7th Grade
Integers, rational numbers, expressions, equations/inequalities and graphing are the focus most of the year. Just like whole numbers, fractions and decimals are a building block for middle school math, these topics are a building block for Algebra 1. Geometry is also studied at depth in 7th grade so students will have a good base when they enter Geometry in high school.
8th Grade
Both Prealgebra and Algebra 1 are offered to students in grade 8. Those who have progressed successfully through 7th grade math and are ready for the rigors of Algebra 1 are placed there. Those who still need to master some Prealgebra topics study at the Prealgebra level and are slowly introduced to increasingly more Algebra. This necessity of mastery and the familiarization of early topics in Algebra 1 allow for an easy transition to high school math.