The Grammar School's academic curriculum seeks to bring out the best in students. In all of our academic programs, our extraordinarily talented team of teachers focuses on truly engaging students in learning. From Junior Primary to Grade 12/Senior 3, the School's academic programs seek to solidify the fundamentals of literacy and numeracy, to stimulate independent thinking, to nourish the creative spirit, and to develop healthy attitudes toward life. We also aim to develop truly educated young people and to awaken in them an interest in the wider world. In our classrooms, as well as in the hallways, teachers "go the distance" for our students.
Our School is organized into three distinct levels or divisions -- Prep School, Middlle School and Senior School. In each of these divisions, the academic programs are tailored to the capabilities and interests of students at each stage in their educational and personal development. Each of our divisions offer a stimulating academic program within the balanced curriculum exposing students to academics, athletics, and the arts. While our priority is on academics, the School recognizes its responsibility for promoting the fullest development of students.
Each of our three school divisions has its own unique curriculum philosophy and program. We invite you to consider the academic and co-curricular programs at each level:
Each has its own character, but they share a commitment to providing an enriching program to each and every student.
Class sizes are small, particularly in the early grades, and there is an emphasis upon the development of students as well rounded citizens. Our program culminates in the International Baccalaureate Diploma, a well-recognized standard of excellence, in grades eleven and twelve.
At the Halifax Grammar School, we don’t just implement change for the sake of change. Nor do we integrate a new program or adjust an old program ju
st because someone said we should or because everyone else is doing it. Instead, we implement change only after research, discussion, debate, testing, and then more discussion.
We implement change when change makes sense.
This is how the change to Middle School math is happening. The “talk” involving a change to the Middle School math curriculum began over a year ago following the implementation of a new math program in the Prep School in September 2009.
Teachers in the Prep School were using the textbook series MathQuest published by Addison-Wesley Canada for a number of years to support the teaching of the elementary math curriculum. When the series retired, the purchase of replacement texts was no longer possible, and the need for a new resource gave cause to make a change.
Teachers began investigating available resources from Canadian publishers. In January 2009, discussions at faculty meetings continued, and a series of presentations from publishing companies were scheduled. After examining the student and teacher materials, trying some sample lessons from the three programs, and discussing the merits and challenges of each, the Prep Faculty determined the Everyday Mathematics program was the best fit.
Materials were ordered and the teachers were given exposure to guides and support materials during the summer of 2009. In August 2009, a consultant arrived from Chicago to provide a full day of professional development for teachers, giving them an opportunity to ask questions, exchange ideas, and get a better feel for the philosophy and strategies intrinsic to the program.
Teachers began using Everyday Mathematics at all levels from Junior Primary through to grade four in September 2009. Since then, teachers have been planning lessons together and talking about triumphs and challenges as they implement the new resource into their classrooms.
“You will probably still see the teachers referencing the guide on a regular basis as they implement a lesson,” says Prep 4 Teacher Kevin Curran.
Since implementation of anything in Prep impacts the Middle and Senior schools, the Dean of Academics planned meetings with the stakeholders involved and the Program Administration Team (PAT) sprang into action.
The PAT, consisting of the School Leadership Team, the Dean of Academics, and, in this case, cross-over teachers from Prep, Middle, and Senior Schools met regularly to discuss the math program at all levels. The Team has a process in place to determine the curriculum needs of Halifax Grammar School, from junior primary through to Grade 12. The team, which was created several years ago, evaluates, recommends, and ultimately develops implementation strategies and schedules if a change is to be made.
The Team discussed the philosophy of the Everyday Math program and the degree of satisfaction the teachers had using the program, along with exchanging ideas about its suitability for students in the Middle School.
Other independent schools across the country were contacted and best practices were discussed at length.
Keeping in mind our eventual CESI requirements, and the long term impact on the IB program in the senior school, the team looked at whether students with Everyday Math would get the necessary preparation to integrate to the next level. They worked backwards from grade 12 to Junior Primary, and they looked at many possibilities.
“Everyday Math is a good program,” says Dean of Academics Kathy DeGrasse. “Parents of students in Prep are saying good things and other independent school educators have said good things. But, we don’t adopt programs blindly at HGS. We need to see what fits for us. We need to make sure the program is good for the Halifax Grammar School, and we have a process in place that helps us determine these things.”
In the end, the team determined Everyday Math was a good fit for Grammar.
“Certainly, the program is student centred and engaging,” says the Head of Middle School Steven Laffoley, “and reports from the prep school are that students are more enthusiastic about their math classes.”
Starting in September 2010, the Everyday Math program will be implemented in M1, following the students currently in P4 into the Middle School. Meantime, continued discussions will take place about further changes to the math program in the Middle School. It is a long-term commitment, with a transition plan of five years.
Everyday Mathematics is a comprehensive Pre-K through Grade 6 mathematics program. It is currently being used in more than 185,000 classrooms by almost three million students.
The Everyday Math program is distinguished by its focus on real-life problem solving, balance between whole-class and self-directed learning, emphasis on communication, facilitation of school-family cooperation, and appropriate use of technology.
For more information on Everyday Mathematics, including practice lessons and parent resources, check out their website at www.everydaymath.uchicago.edu
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