mathematics Archives - Rowntree Montessori Schools

2018/11/21 by R.M.S.

4th Math Bowl Competition

At Rowntree Montessori Schools Academy campus, we recently completed the fourth annual Math Bowl Competition. This long awaited event brought our students together in the pursuit of healthy competition and academic excellence in mathematics. To start the competition off, Grade 1 to 8 teachers selected 10 students to represent the class through the results of a math activity. Then 10 students from each class moved forward to the next round and went head to head against 10 other students, answering questions related to math word problems and calculations. Questions posed to Grade 1 students primarily focused on addition and subtraction, while Grade 2 questions covered more complex addition and subtraction questions, and relied more heavily on the need to write numbers in expanded form. Grades 3 to 8 focused more on multiplication based word problems, and Grade 7 and 8 had the opportunity to do some advanced high school level mathematics problems. From each group of 10 students, a winner was selected, who then competed against the other winner in his or her grade, to find the top performing Math Bowl Champion, who earned a trophy in celebration of his or her win. All competitors are congratulated for their efforts, and were given a certificate to acknowledge their achievements!

$Students at Rowntree Montessori Schools private chool solving math problems during the 2018 Math Bowl Competition$

Students hard at work solving math problems

It was an absolute pleasure watching the different classes from Grade 1 to 8 compete and learn from one another. The students demonstrated remarkable knowledge and application skills to solve the questions to the best of their abilities. It was very rewarding to see our students working as a team, and at the same time seeing the progress in their math skills as a result of their dedicated practice. It was an experience that allowed our students to compete under pressure while using their passion for math in pursuit of being crowned Math Bowl Champion.

$Students at Rowntree Montessori Schools private chool solving math problems during the 2018 Math Bowl Competition$

Students supporting each other during the Math Bowl Competition

The Math Bowl is an event that brings our student body together, and it could not have been possible without the hard work of our faculty. Thank you to everyone involved. We experienced a day of excitement with students using their positive influence and energy to cheer on their fellow classmates. We are very proud of all our students who helped make the Math Bowl Competition a wonderful success. See you all next year!

To learn more about Rowntree Montessori Schools (RMS), continue browsing our website and ideally drop by any of our welcoming, friendly and family oriented campuses for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm. If you prefer, call to book an appointment for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm.

More details about Rowntree Montessori Schools‘ approach to education can be seen by clicking here .

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2018/10/05 by R.M.S.

Learning Real World Mathematics

At RMS, we understand the importance of extending what is learned in the classroom to real world situations, especially when learning mathematics. Experts like S.Wuolle (2016) suggest that students who experience meaningful real world connections are better able to apply their mathematics knowledge and skills, and can adapt to new situations (Boaler, 1998). Additionally, the British Columbia Ministry of Education states that real world connections are necessary in order to build numeracy in students (2008). So what is real world connection? Simple analogies, analysis of real data, discussion of mathematics in society, hands-on representation of mathematics concepts, mathematical modeling of real phenomena, and even the classic word problem can be considered to be real world connections (Gainsburg, 2008). Therefore, our teachers at RMS do their best to bring real world examples into the classroom. Recently some of the Grade 3 students extended their learning experience of the mathematical concept of estimating sums and applied it to the real world situation of grocery shopping. Each group of students was given a grocery flyer and was assigned the task of preparing a grocery list and estimating the cost of the list. The students were very excited to see what is was like to walk in mom and dad’s shoes for a while, as they eagerly began picking out grocery items for a healthy, balanced grocery list and then rounding the amounts to add up the cost of their lists. Below is a video that shows our smart 21st century learners busy collaborating with their friends to stay on budget with groceries!

To learn more about Rowntree Montessori Schools (RMS), continue browsing our website and ideally drop by any of our welcoming, friendly and family oriented campuses for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm. If you prefer, call to book an appointment for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm.

More details about Rowntree Montessori Schools‘ approach to education can be seen by clicking here .

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2017/07/06 by Contributor

Real Estate Agents for a Day

Elementary math is not just about numbers and memorizing formulas. At RMS, we often use this subject in order to explain real-life scenarios, allowing students to live a day in the life of a certain profession. By doing this, we make this important and sometimes challenging subject relevant and fun. Recently each grade seven student took on the role of a real estate agent to sell properties to prospective buyers (other students) during the RMS Math Day.

The Grade Seven Real Estate Agents in Action

A lot of effort was put into each project, and by the time Math Day started, students were ready to display their work with pride. Students were very prepared for questions and to act the part, and as a result their clients were eager to purchase many properties. Aside from all of the hard work the students put in, teachers were able to see that the students really enjoyed stepping into the shoes of real estate agents.

The Real Estate Agents Selling their Properties

Students at the end of the day decided to write a song about their experience with Math: “Math is fun. When you learn math you get the job done. There are many types of math you need to learn. With these skills you will earn. A whole new level of education. And you don’t even have to be a mathematician.”

We look forward to seeing you and sharing with you the private school community of which we are so proud!

To learn more about Rowntree Montessori Schools (RMS), continue browsing our website and ideally drop by any of our welcoming, friendly and family oriented campuses for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:00am-3:00pm. If you prefer, call to book an appointment for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm.

More details about Rowntree Montessori Schools‘ approach to education can be seen by clicking here .

Please kindly SHARE this post with others by clicking onto one or more of the icons below. We would appreciate it and thank you in advance.

2017/05/23 by R.M.S.

Successful Careers with STEM

Knowledge of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) prepares our private school students for the challenges that will arise in their future careers. Many business owners also understand that many aspects of their workforce’s day to day functions will change as technology evolves. As a result, many new jobs will be created to deal with challenges of the 21st Century. Thus students with training in STEM are better prepared to handle the uncertainty of the future. According to a recent special article posted by The Globe and Mail, “now more than ever, Canada’s economic future depends on brilliant, curious minds trained in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Whatever business you lead, it almost certainly will be stronger, more agile and better able to compete if its employees have been trained in a STEM discipline.”

Young students using Dash & Dot Robots

As STEM experts are in high demand but low supply in the workforce, we must continue to support our students today that show interest in these disciplines. As the article states, “just about any business today would benefit from the skills people acquire through STEM training.” So we prepare our students to handle the challenges of their futures from the day they walk through our doors. For example, we teach Kindergarten students coding and programming through hands-on use of Dash & Dot robots. We offer a Robotics Club that many older students participate in each year, and our students are completing mathematics at one grade level above the public school board.

It is also important that the experience participating in STEM activities is a positive one, with full support from our teachers in a nurturing environment. We do not believe a student will FAIL in any attempt to learn a new skill, but rather accomplish a “F” first “, “A” attempt , “I” in, “L” learning. As educators, we want to provide a well rounded education that prepares our students for the needs of the future. As teachers and parents, we must encourage them to continue to thrive at learning these disciplines well into their educational years!

We look forward to seeing you and sharing with you the private school community of which we are so proud!

To learn more about Rowntree Montessori Schools (RMS), continue browsing our website and ideally drop by any of our welcoming, friendly and family oriented campuses for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm. If you prefer, call to book an appointment for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm.

More details about Rowntree Montessori Schools‘ approach to education can be seen by clicking here .

Please kindly SHARE this post with others by clicking onto one or more of the icons below. We would appreciate it and thank you in advance.

2017/03/07 by R.M.S.

Math Made Fun

Many schools teach Math primarily through numbers and textbook work. However, we believe that as times change, so should teaching methods. Today is Math day at RMS! It is a fun and exciting day for all ages, and allows us to provide a meaningful educational experience, that offers students the ability to engage in multiple hands-on activities using measuring tapes, counting objects and graphing tools. Our students are very engaged and glad to have the opportunity to use the many different math resources that we setup in the classrooms and around the school! They work as a team to successfully solve each problem they are given, while having a blast learning!

Younger students using tanograms (geometric shapes) during Math Day 2017

Today the students completed over 10 activities throughout various stations setup around the school. They had the opportunity to attend a toy and book store where they used play money to purchase items, teaching them about currency, addition and subtraction. They also completed math trivia, multiple math games which included a fun physical fitness element in the gymnasium, and learned how to calculate real estate agent commission when purchasing a new home – among many other activities. These activities allow students to understand how math is not just a subject we teach, but a life skill that plays a vital role outside of the classroom, helping prepare them to solve everyday obstacles they may encounter.

Student purchasing books from another student using play money

Our elementary students study math at one grade level ahead (for example Grade 2 students study Grade 3 math). This keeps our student challenged by introducing new concepts and procedures in a timely manner. Our students are often asked to prepare and present solutions to their math challenges. For example, today we had junior students presenting their Real Estate projects to other students and teachers, explaining the sale price between agent and buyer, making sure to explain how commission rates are calculated.

A proud student explaining how commission is calculated when buying a new home

Our students were thrilled with their experiences on Math Day and will now engage in learning new math concepts from a different perspective – one that is both educational and fun!

We look forward to seeing you and sharing with you the private school community of which we are so proud!

To learn more about Rowntree Montessori Schools (RMS), continue browsing our website and ideally drop by any of our welcoming, friendly and family oriented campuses for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm. If you prefer, call to book an appointment for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:00pm.

More details about Rowntree Montessori Schools‘ approach to education can be seen by clicking here .

Please kindly SHARE this post with others by clicking onto one or more of the icons below. We would appreciate it and thank you in advance.

2017/02/12 by RMS

Event Reminder – MONDAY EVENING Open House at RMS featuring our Math Programme – Tomorrow night!

Come and discover the opportunity you can provide your child to succeed Now and in their Future.

Our Evening Open House is a perfect opportunity to tour our campuses and meet our teachers, particularly if you are unable to take advantage of our Open House ANYTIME opportunity. It’s your chance to see our campuses when it might be more convenient for you!

Take just a few minutes to come by our Open House on MONDAY February 13, 2017 (6:00 pm – 8:00 pm) at our welcoming, friendly and family oriented campuses and discover the opportunity and possibilities for your child to love learning and excel. Your visit could be your first step in empowering your child’s journey towards their dreams!

Apply NOW for September 2017! Click here to find out more.

Here’s a map which illustrates the locations of our welcoming, friendly and family oriented campuses.

We will gladly take the time with you and your family to:

Tour the facilities (typically takes 15-20 minutes)
Provide you with the opportunity to meet teachers and administrators
Outline our enriched educational programmes
Inform you about the wide variety of before and after school activities available
Discuss registration options for Pre-Kindergarten (starting at 2 years 8 months old as of September 2017) to Grade 8

…and of course, children are most welcome.

We look forward to seeing you and sharing with you the private school community of which we are so proud!

To learn more about Rowntree Montessori Schools (RMS), continue browsing our website and ideally drop by any of our welcoming, friendly and family oriented campuses for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:00am-3:00pm. If you prefer, call to book an appointment for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:00am-3:00pm.

More details about Rowntree Montessori Schools‘ approach to education can be seen by clicking here .

Please kindly SHARE this post with others by clicking onto one or more of the icons below. We would appreciate it and thank you in advance.

2017/02/11 by RMS

MONDAY EVENING Open House at RMS featuring our Math Programme – Reminder

Come and discover the opportunity you can provide your child to succeed Now and in their Future.

Apply NOW for September 2017! Click here to find out more.

Here’s a map which illustrates the locations of our welcoming, friendly and family oriented campuses.

We will gladly take the time with you and your family to:

Tour the facilities (typically takes 15-20 minutes)
Provide you with the opportunity to meet teachers and administrators
Outline our enriched educational programmes
Inform you about the wide variety of before and after school activities available
Discuss registration options for Pre-Kindergarten (starting at 2 years 8 months old as of September 2017) to Grade 8

…and of course, children are most welcome.

We look forward to seeing you and sharing with you the private school community of which we are so proud!

To learn more about Rowntree Montessori Schools (RMS), continue browsing our website and ideally drop by any of our welcoming, friendly and family oriented campuses for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:00am-3:00pm. If you prefer, call to book an appointment for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:00am-3:00pm.

More details about Rowntree Montessori Schools‘ approach to education can be seen by clicking here .

Please kindly SHARE this post with others by clicking onto one or more of the icons below. We would appreciate it and thank you in advance.

2017/02/09 by RMS

MONDAY EVENING Open House at RMS featuring our Math Programme

Come and discover the opportunity you can provide your child to succeed Now and in their Future.

Apply NOW for September 2017! Click here to find out more.

Here’s a map which illustrates the locations of our welcoming, friendly and family oriented campuses.

We will gladly take the time with you and your family to:

Tour the facilities (typically takes 15-20 minutes)
Provide you with the opportunity to meet teachers and administrators
Outline our enriched educational programmes
Inform you about the wide variety of before and after school activities available
Discuss registration options for Pre-Kindergarten (starting at 2 years 8 months old as of September 2017) to Grade 8

…and of course, children are most welcome.

We look forward to seeing you and sharing with you the private school community of which we are so proud!

To learn more about Rowntree Montessori Schools (RMS), continue browsing our website and ideally drop by any of our welcoming, friendly and family oriented campuses for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:00am-3:00pm. If you prefer, call to book an appointment for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:00am-3:00pm.

More details about Rowntree Montessori Schools‘ approach to education can be seen by clicking here .

Please kindly SHARE this post with others by clicking onto one or more of the icons below. We would appreciate it and thank you in advance.

2017/01/26 by RMS

How Big is a Foot?

Relating real-life situations to mathematics is crucial, not only to the solidification of math concepts, but also in trying to make math more fun. Throughout the school year, we teachers are always creating and implementing unique and hands-on ways to teach. We can not only make math fun, but also electrifying and exciting!

One such example is relating the story “How Big is a Foot?” by Rolf Myller to the topic of measurement. The story is about a king who wants to have a bed made for his queen as a birthday present, but beds had not yet been invented. The carpenter and his apprentice, not having seen a bed before, were not sure of how big a bed should be. They asked the king, who decided to measure the queen’s height and width using the size of his foot. The queen’s measurements were then passed on to the carpenter and his apprentice who concluded that the bed must measure 3 feet wide and 6 feet long (including the crown, which she sometimes liked to wear while sleeping).

Measuring our classmates

It turned out that the bed they made was much too small for the queen. The story poses the question, “Why was the bed too small for the queen?” We discussed this question in class and have the students use critical-thinking skills to solve this problem, which they did of course.

How big is our classroom door?

How big is the hallway?

Once the story was finished, the students broke into groups, traced their own feet on to paper, and cut them out. They would use their foot as a measurement tool to measure certain objects and areas around the school, such as desks, hallways, the interactive white board, or even themselves! At the end of the class, we came back to discuss and compare the lengths and widths of various items while thinking about how students may have different or similar measurements. Reading and discussing “How Big is a Foot?” was a great way to introduce the concept of measurement!

We look forward to seeing you and sharing with you the private school community of which we are so proud!

To learn more about Rowntree Montessori Schools (RMS), continue browsing our website and ideally drop by any of our welcoming, friendly and family oriented campuses for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:00am-3:00pm. If you prefer, call to book an appointment for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:00am-3:00pm.

More details about Rowntree Montessori Schools‘ approach to education can be seen by clicking here .

Please kindly SHARE this post with others by clicking onto one or more of the icons below. We would appreciate it and thank you in advance.

2017/01/20 by Contributor

Congratulations Mathletes!

Rowntree students are among the top Mathletics performers in the country! We wanted to take the time to recognize their engagement and achievements in math.

In the summer of 2014, RMS introduced Mathletics, an online learning resource, into our curriculum for Grades 5 to 8. We have found that Mathletics is a very valuable asset, both in the classroom and as a homework tool. It allows the students to consolidate their learning and further extend their Mathematical knowledge and skill. We were recently been recognized by the Mathletics Corporation as one of the top performing schools in Canada.

We are always so proud of our students’ hard work and dedication, and even more so when they are recognized for their accomplishments beyond our school.

We will be celebrating the students’ Mathletics achievement in several ways:

We will build a ‘Wall Of Fame’ in our classroom and post achievement certificates each week.

We will host an assembly and recognize the top Mathletes and most improved students.

Mathletics assembly

We will feature students and a picture of their Mathletics Avatar in the school newsletter!

Congratulations to all the students in Grades 5 to 8

To see more posts about Math related activities at Rowntree Montessori Schools, click here .

We look forward to seeing you and sharing with you the private school community of which we are so proud!

To learn more about Rowntree Montessori Schools (RMS), continue browsing our website and ideally drop by any of our welcoming, friendly and family oriented campuses for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:00am-3:00pm. If you prefer, call to book an appointment for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:00am-3:00pm.

More details about Rowntree Montessori Schools‘ approach to education can be seen by clicking here .