Aurora Waldorf School
Blog: The Light of Aurora
Nurturing Mathematical Minds: How Our Waldorf Math Program Embraces the Universal Screeners for Number Sense (USNS)
10:20 AM - December 06, 2024
At AWS, we believe in educating the whole child—nurturing their intellect, heart, and hands. This holistic approach extends to our mathematics curriculum, where we focus on developing students' number sense, problem-solving skills, and mathematical thinking in alignment with their developmental stages. To further support our students' growth, we’ve recently enhanced our program with insights from the Universal Screeners for Number Sense (USNS), a comprehensive framework designed to assess and strengthen foundational math skills.
Developed by Forefront Education, the USNS addresses the growing need for early, accurate identification of students' mathematical abilities. Forefront Education is dedicated to improving student learning outcomes by creating data-driven tools that empower educators to make informed instructional decisions. The USNS provides teachers valuable, actionable data on key number sense concepts such as counting, comparing numbers, place value, and recognizing patterns. This resource allows us to tailor our teaching strategies and provide targeted interventions, ensuring every student builds a strong mathematical foundation.
By focusing on research-based practices, the USNS framework helps bridge gaps in number sense early on, supporting long-term success in math. Its practical and effective nature ensures it is a valuable tool for classroom use, providing a structured approach to student assessment and intervention.
The Essence of Waldorf Mathematics
Before delving into how we use the USNS lens, it's essential to understand the core principles of our Waldorf math program:
- Developmentally-Based: We tailor our teaching to each stage of child development, ensuring that mathematical concepts are introduced at the right time and in the right way.
- Spiritual Core: While mathematics may seem purely abstract, we recognize its deeper connections to the world around us and our students' inner lives.
- Educating the Whole Child: We aim to develop clear thinking, a love for the world of numbers, and the ability to apply mathematical concepts practically.
- Reverence: We foster a sense of wonder and respect for the elegance and beauty inherent in mathematics.
- Creativity & Imagination: We encourage students to engage their imagination and develop creative problem-solving skills.
Our Waldorf math curriculum follows a carefully crafted progression from grades 1 through 8, focusing on different aspects of mathematical understanding:
- Grades 1-4: Developing a sense of number and mastering arithmetic facts
- Grades 5-6: Consolidating procedural skills
- Grades 7-8: Developing abstract thinking
Embracing the USNS Number Sense Lens
The Number Sense Lens provides a multifaceted framework that aligns beautifully with our Waldorf approach. It helps us assess and nurture various aspects of mathematical understanding, ensuring a well-rounded development of number sense. The lens consists of six primary facets:
- Numerals, Words, and Sequences
- Addition and Subtraction within 20
- Place Value
- Multiplication and Division
- Fraction Concepts
- Problem Solving and Posing
Each facet is further divided into sub-components, allowing for a detailed and nuanced understanding of a student's mathematical development. For example, within the Numerals, Words, and Sequences facet, we look at a student's ability to read and write numerals and understanding of number sequences.
How We Integrate USNS into Our Waldorf Math Program
By incorporating the USNS into our existing Waldorf math curriculum, we're able to:
- Provide a more comprehensive assessment of students' number sense development
- Identify areas where students may need additional support or challenge
- Tailor our instruction to meet individual needs while maintaining the rhythms and beauty of Waldorf education
For instance, in the early grades (1-3), the Waldorf curriculum focuses on developing a strong sense of number and mastering arithmetic facts. This practice aligns perfectly with the USNS facets of Numerals, Words, and Sequences and Addition and Subtraction within 20. Our teachers use imaginative stories, rhythmic activities, and hands-on experiences to bring these concepts to life, while the Number Sense Lens helps us track each child's progress in a structured way.
As students progress to the middle grades (4-6), we introduce more complex concepts like fractions, decimals, and introductory algebra. The USNS facets of Place Value, Multiplication and Division, and Fraction Concepts provide valuable insights into how well students grasp these ideas. Our Waldorf approach of using artistic activities, such as form drawing and geometric constructions, complements the USNS framework by providing multiple avenues for students to explore and internalize these concepts. For instance, students might use form drawing to understand the concept of symmetry in fractions or create geometric constructions to visualize algebraic equations.
In the upper grades (7-8), the Problem Solving and Posing facet of the Number Sense Lens becomes particularly relevant as we move towards more abstract thinking. This progression aligns with our Waldorf goal of developing independent, creative thinkers who can apply their mathematical knowledge to real-world situations.
Benefits for Our Students and Families
By integrating the Number Sense Lens into our Waldorf math program, we're able to offer:
- A more holistic view of each student's mathematical development
- Earlier identification and support for students who may be struggling in specific areas
- Enhanced communication with parents about their child's progress using the clear framework provided by the USNS
- Our integration of the Number Sense Lens into the Waldorf math program strikes a balance between the artistic, imaginative approach of Waldorf education and the structured, analytical framework of USNS. This balance ensures that students not only develop a strong mathematical foundation but also cultivate their creativity and imagination, providing a well-rounded education.
Conclusion
At AWS, we're committed to providing a rich, developmentally appropriate mathematics education that nurtures computational skills, mathematical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and a love for the subject. By incorporating the Universal Screeners for Number Sense and the Number Sense Lens into our program, we're enhancing our ability to support each student's unique mathematical journey while staying true to the core principles of Waldorf education that we hold dear.
Sources:
https://jamieyorkacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/bsk-pdf-manager/2023/05/Math-Goals.pdf
https://jamieyorkacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/bsk-pdf-manager/2023/05/Summary-of-Math-Skills.pdf