September 21, 2014
A SUM GREATER THAN ITS PARTS
Those of us who claim that we are “not math people,” are mistaken. This outdated idea comes from an assumption that we have a natural ability to learn or not learn mathematics. In reality, what matters more than natural ability is the way we are taught math and the effort we put into our learning. That is why we are so determined to provide a math education for your children that develops both conceptual understanding and automaticity with math facts.
We lead our students through a process that exposes them first to concrete representations of math concepts, then to pictorial models, and finally to the abstract (the numbers themselves). In doing so, they understand why math works, not just how to do tricks with numerals to get an answer. This process lies behind both the Montessori math methods we use in Kindergarten, and the Singapore Math curriculum that begins in first grade.
In addition to understanding how math works, they must develop automatic recall of basic math facts. Wednesday night we gathered families to share math fact activities and games that provide creative repetition for math fact automaticity and family fun.
Our goal is to give your children not only the skills and the concepts that will help them achieve in higher level math, but also an enthusiastic love of math. 
Mathematicians might deny that it’s possible, but at this school, Mirowitz teachers + excellent curricula + Mirowitz students + partnering parents = a sum that is greater than its parts.
Shabbat Shalom,
Morah Cheryl Maayan