Departments & Programs

Curriculum & Instruction

Mathematics Department

Coordinator: Angela M. Culley
(434) 245-2672
Angela.Culley@ccs.k12.va.us

The mathematics program in the Charlottesville City Schools integrates the development of critical thinking with computational and procedural skills in order to strengthen problem-solving ability. While learning mathematics, students are actively engaged, using concrete materials and appropriate technologies such as calculators and computers. Mathematics has its own language, and the acquisition of specialized vocabulary is crucial to a student’s understanding of the subject. Teachers employ a variety of techniques to help children develop and apply mathematical processes.

Kindergarten - 8th Grade Math

Throughout the elementary and middle schools years, specific content strands or topics are included in the SOL. These strands are: Number and Number Sense; Computation and Estimation; Measurement; Geometry; and Patterns, Functions, and Algebra. A range of topics from these strands is included in the curriculum. Teachers draw from text resources, manipulatives for hands-on learning, and a variety of informal and formal assessments.

Currently adopted textbooks for grades K-8 include:

  • Investigations in Number, Data, and Space (K-5 series;  Scott Foresman, 2004)
  • Connected Mathematics (Grades 6-8 series;  Prentice Hall, 2004)
  • Mathematics (K-5 series; Scott Foresman-Addison Wesley, 2006)
  • Math Course 2 and 3 (Prentice Hall, 2004)
  • Mathematics:  Applications and Concepts, Course 2 (Glencoe, 2004)
  • Glencoe Pre-Algebra (Glencoe, 2005)
  • Algebra 1 (Glencoe, 2005)

9th - 12th Grade Math

Mathematics courses at Charlottesville High School also follow the state’s SOL and curriculum frameworks. Currently three math courses culminate in an End-of-Course (EOC) SOL test. Content areas in those classes are as follows:

Algebra I

  • Expressions and Operations
  • Relations and Functions
  • Equations and Inequalities
  • Statistics

Geometry

  • Lines and Angles
  • Triangles and Logic
  • Polygons and Circles
  • Three-Dimensional Figures
  • Coordinate Relations and Transformations

Algebra II

  • Expressions and Operations
  • Relations and FunctionsEquations and Inequalities
  • Systems of Equations/Inequalities.

In addition to these required EOC test courses, secondary mathematics education includes an extensive offering of classes with programs designed to meet the needs of all students. More information about specific math classes at CHS is available on page 31 of the 2007-2008 CHS Program Planning Guide.

VA Standards of Learning (SOLs)

The mathematics curriculum for the Charlottesville City Schools is fully aligned with the Virginia Standards of Learning. These standards, in turn, promote the goals and objectives for K-12 mathematics education developed by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). The content of the Virginia SOL supports the goals of solving problems, communicating mathematically, reasoning mathematically, making connections in math, and representing mathematical ideas.

For a listing of specific Standards of Learning in mathematics, go to:
http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Superintendent/Sols/home.shtml

To access the Virginia Department of Education curriculum framework for all grades and courses, go to:
http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Instruction/Math/math_framework.html

For more information on NCTM, as well a wealth of resources for students, parents, and teachers, go to:
http://nctm.org/

Web-based Math Resources

ttaconline.org/staff/sol/sol.asp
This site provides Virginia teachers with a host of resources geared toward helping all learners. The Enhanced Scope and Sequence is especially helpful with lesson and activity ideas.
investigations.scottforesman.com
  and
investigations.terc.edu
These two sites provide more information on one of our main adopted programs for CCS elementary mathematics, Investigations.
www.aplusmath.com
  and
www.superkids.com/aweb/tools/math
Both of these websites contain math lesson supplements that teachers can design to suit their own needs.
matti.usu.edu/nlvm/nav/
Virtual manipulatives: (parents, students, and teachers) Developed by Utah State University, “this is a three-year NSF supported project to develop a library of uniquely interactive, web-based virtual manipulatives or concept tutorials, mostly in the form of Java applets, for mathematics instruction (K-8 emphasis).”
www.figurethis.org
Lots and lots of math" stuff" … (for all). Figure This! is designed to provide an exciting and family-friendly way to become more involved in learning math.”
www.ed.gov/free
Many, many resources for teachers in all disciplines. More specifically, “more than 30 Federal agencies formed a working group in 1997 to make hundreds of Federally supported teaching and learning resources easier to find. The result of that work is the FREE web site.” Click on mathematics for specific math ideas.
www.ed.gov/pubs/parents/Math/index.html
A parent oriented site. Help your child with math by trying out these activities.
http://www.mathforum.org/
A popular site with a wealth of resources for ALL, sponsored by Drexel University.