One week this August, children entering Grades 2 – 8 will have an opportunity to engage in an innovative math program being offered in Wayland for the first time.
Christine Moynihan, Ph.D., has developed “Math Power for All,” which has engaged students in nearby towns for the past several summers, enhancing their understanding of math and resulting in a higher level of confidence as they return to their studies in the fall.
Dr. Moynihan, an educational consultant, was most recently principal of the Williams Elementary School in Newton. For twelve years prior to her tenure as a principal, she was a Math & Science Specialist in the Wayland Public Schools and a Math Specialist in Westwood. Her book, “Math Sense: The Look, Sound, and Feel of Effective Instruction,” was published in the fall.
The Wayland program will be offered the weeks of August 18 and 25. Each one- week program will be scheduled as follows:
- 9am–12pm, Grades 2 -5
- 1-4pm, Grades 4 -8
The fee is $275 for tuition and $50 for materials. Program location will be in one of the school buildings, and will be announced at a later date. Registration deadline is May 2, 2014.
In developing the “Math Power for All” program, Dr. Moynihan’s goal has been to guide students as they “wrap their brains around meaningful and relevant mathematics.”
“Too often, the message is given that only a small portion of people can really excel at math, and that math is boring and relatively unimportant to everyday life. That message needs to be changed so that all of today’s students can actively and equally take part in the exciting challenges of the new millennium,” Dr. Moynihan believes.
Participants will explore a broad range of mathematical topics that will include number sense and theory, geometry, measurement, statistics, and patterns. They will engage in problem-solving, and develop and refine their skills as well as their conceptual understandings as they apply and use reasoning, logic, and communication. Most importantly, participants will see firsthand and come to believe in the significance of mathematics to their everyday world now and in the future.
In her work with students, Dr. Moynihan has come to believe: “While it is true that math appears to come more easily to some than to others, when math is taught correctly, all can be invited in to see just how powerful a thinker each can be. They will also view mathematics as creative, exciting, dynamic and even fun,” she predicts.
Students of all levels will gain from participation. “When children return to their math classes and begin the 2014-15 academic year, they’ll be ready to go,” Dr. Moynihan asserts. Program activities feature:
- Hands-on mathematical experiences
- Writing/communication in math
- Application of skills and processes
- Integrated use of logic/reasoning
- Learning through games
- Problem-solving focus
Wayland School Community Programs, Community Education, is bringing this program to Wayland. For registration details, call 508-655-6403. To register, click here. The form should be mailed to WSCP, Loker School, 47 Loker Street, Wayland, MA 01778. For additional details about the class, contact Dr. Moynihan at Moynihan.christine@gmail.com.
