Creative solutions: Math just got a little easier at Marco Island's TBE

MARCO ISLAND — How many slices of pizza can you get out of one pie? Right away, a picture of a round pizza comes to mind as you mentally cut the pie in half, then again into quarters. Slices are still too large, so cut again and you have eight triangles.

It is this type of conceptualization — seeing number concepts in a new way that is at the heart of a new math program, Investigations.

Tuesday evening at Tommie Barfield Elementary School, parents and guardians were given a preview of the innovative math-teaching program that holds hope of igniting new sparks of curiosity and a renewed interest in solving math problems.

After enjoying a light supper of pizza, soda and tossed salad, Diana Little, assistant principal, presented an overview of the program. Parents then visited their child’s classroom to see the concepts in action as students used manipulatives in hands-on demonstrations.

Collier and other nearby school districts have adopted this series, whereby students have the opportunity to do their own learning.

“Investigations promotes a conceptual and visual modality as compared to former math teaching models in which the teacher would give an example for the children to copy. Students get the opportunity to go deeper into the processes of problem-solving, thereby enabling them to become more connected with their learning,” Little said.

The focus of the program is creative problem-solving. Students work in small groups to cooperatively investigate a problem using various strategies to discover solutions. They then re-group as a class to share their findings, practicing oral and written communications skills.

“We’re very positive about the new math program for many reasons. Our students are more excited about math, while our teachers are learning new ways to teach math more effectively to enhance cooperative learning, critical thinking and collaboration — the skills that lead to success in life,” said Principal Jory Westberry.

“The Investigation series addresses the changing and challenging Florida math standards more effectively than the old series,” she added.

Cathy Schulman, first-grade teacher explained that students learn games and other activities to solve math problems.

“They are responsible, in many cases, for solving a problem and showing how they got their answer. This can be through drawing a picture, explaining in words or using numbers to indicate how they arrived at the answer,” she said.

And students are excited about the program.

“This year, the math is easier to understand. You get to pick your options on solving the math problem. It is more hands on, not just writing problems, but using games to help us understand,” said Bailey Sparks, fifth grader.

Parents, while a bit confused by the new systems of computation, are buying into the program wholeheartedly.

“I think it’s great. I have second and third graders and they both seem to really like it and I like the hands-on materials,” said parent Patti Coyle, as she exited a class with her 5-year-old son, Shamus.

Each 60-minute math lesson begins with an on-going review of previously learned skills and homework. Next, the teacher poses a question, such as “how can we show how many items we’ve counted?”

Students then have time to explore options for representing the number facts in small groups, then return to a whole group to share their findings.

Judy Albero, second-grade teacher, explained to parents that students can now arrive at the same answer using addition as well as subtraction.

“Students now realize they can find the correct answer in different ways — they are not locked in. We are trying to develop number sense. And when kids have that freedom, they take us in a whole different direction to arrive at answers,” she said.

“We have more time to explore and to see the great moments when the light bulbs go on.”