Minimath is a written daily review of mathematics problems that Naperville School District 203 has furnished for its teachers in grades 1-5. Topics include arithmetic, patterning, number sense, geometry, measurement, and fraction.
Children use strategies and computational skills to solve the problems.
The Kingsley first-grade teachers feel that first graders, like all students, need to possess certain skills to foster problem solving, estimating, and reasoning. Because of this belief, the teachers use minimath to familiarize children with written mathematical language and format, to aid in problem solving and reasoning, and to maintain skills. To extend Standard 2, the first-grade teachers decided to have the children create their own minimath. The children would be actively involved in a mathematical writing process with ownership for their writing and an authentic audience. Before starting the minimath writing process, the teachers talked with students about the content, the format, and the clarity of language desired.