Mathematics is an excellent forum for students to develop the thinking and problem-solving skills necessary to be lifelong learners. The goal of the Mathematics Department is to promote the personal and academic growth of each student. The Mathematics Department facilitates the construction of meaningful mathematical knowledge and skills. The Mathematics Department is committed to using technology to enhance instruction and help students become educated producers and consumers of quantitative information in the 21st century. The math curriculum fosters students' natural curiosity by encouraging all students to develop the ability, confidence, and motivation to succeed academically.
Curricular Resources
The mathematics curriculum is designed to meet and exceed the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Mathematics, as students will have opportunities to take advanced courses such as Precalculus, Trigonometry and Statistics, Calculus, AP Calculus, and dual enrollment NJIT Math 108 University Mathematics, as well as the core courses of Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II. Each of these courses will seek to build procedural fluency on a foundation of conceptual understanding.
The following core instructional materials are currently being used:
K - 8 enVision Mathematics 2020/21 Textbook
Algebra I – enVision Algebra 1 Textbook
Geometry - enVision Geometry Textbook
Algebra II - enVision Algebra II Textbook
The following supplemental instructional materials are currently being used:
At the High School, students have access to Edia, an interactive technology-based program that provides instant feedback for students. In grades 6-8, students have access to CueThink, a digital application focused on problem-solving. In grades 2-6, students have access to Reflex and Frax, a digital program focused on building math fluency.
New Jersey Learning Standards
The mathematics curricula for the Hillside Public Schools district are based on the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Mathematics. For more information on these standards, please visit the following link: New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Mathematics.
Assessments
The Mathematics Department utilizes assessment for both formative and summative assessment that includes but is not limited to the following:
- To determine students’ mastery of standards and course objectives
- To provide feedback for students for continuous improvement
- To give students opportunities to apply knowledge in new contexts
- To prepare students for high-stakes assessments
Assessment will look different for different courses, but most will require some combination of the following: homework, class work, quizzes, projects, tests, and larger unit tests, midterms, or finals. Feedback is a critical part of the assessment process. In addition to the course assessments, benchmarks are administered three times a year to show student progress toward grade-level standards.
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