Mathematics

Overview of Mathematics

Mathematics helps strengthen reasoning skills and critical thinking. It helps us think analytically about the world and reason logically. The same steps you take to understand a problem, identify the “knows” and “unknows” and then solve it, can be applied to other areas of your life. Mathematics will help you in any career.

Here in West Seneca, we follow the Next Generation Mathematics Standards to ensure that our students are receiving the latest in what educational research tells us is best practice. Our students are taught from a multitude of resources by experienced content teachers in order to achieve this goal.

Contact

Franco DiPasqua, Director of Mathematics, Science and Federal Title Grants
716-677-3147

About

Grade K-5	Grade 6-8	Grade 9-12
Our elementary school level approach to mathematics follows the expectations set within the New York State Next Generation Mathematics Standards. Our primary resource for teaching these standards is the enVisions program. In addition, we use other resources such as iReady and Reflex Math. All of this is done to develop a child’s way of thinking mathematically through age-appropriate problems and investigations in the areas of: number, operations, algebraic thinking, measurement, data, and geometry. Many of these problems and investigations grow out of everyday life experiences, such as: reading stories, playing games, drawing pictures, building structures, making collections, and conducting simple hands-on science experiments—while others delve more deeply into the world of mathematics itself. Students are encouraged to explore, develop, test, discuss, and apply ideas to see mathematics as something that is fluid, vibrant, creative, and relevant.	Our middle school level approach to mathematics follows the expectations set within the New York State Next Generation Mathematics Standards. Middle school students have the opportunity to accelerate in mathematics beginning in sixth grade and work toward taking the Next Generation Mathematics Algebra 1 Regents Exam at the end of eighth grade. Our curriculum is designed around the New York State Learning Standards for Mathematics and focuses on developing a deep understanding of math concepts, proficiency with key skills, and the ability to solve new and complex problems. One of the primary resources we use at this level is eMath Instruction. The topics and ideas that are explored at this level are built from what the students learned in elementary school. They are encouraged to learn how to think and solve problems for which there is not always one solution—and learn mathematical skills along the way. This content-rich approach serves as a means to advance children’s 21st-century mathematical skills —their abstract reasoning, their collaboration skills, their ability to learn from peers and through technology, and their flexibility as a learner in a dynamic learning environment.	Our high school level approach to mathematics follows the expectations set within the New York State Next Generation Mathematics Standards. Students are required to pass a minimum of three mathematics courses and at least one Regents Exam (or Regents Exam Equivalent) in mathematics to meet State graduation requirements. One of the primary resources we use at this level is eMath Instruction. Many of the courses offer levels (e.g., honors, college credit, AP Credit). Assignment to levels is made on the basis of performance in previous courses, student ability, teacher recommendations, and testing. District-wide final examinations are administered in all mathematics courses that do not culminate in a New York State Regents Examination. Many students take a fourth credit of mathematics (not required) in order to prepare for a post-secondary degree.

Grade K-5

Grade 6-8

Grade 9-12

Our elementary school level approach to mathematics follows the expectations set within the New York State Next Generation Mathematics Standards. Our primary resource for teaching these standards is the enVisions program. In addition, we use other resources such as iReady and Reflex Math.

All of this is done to develop a child’s way of thinking mathematically through age-appropriate problems and investigations in the areas of: number, operations, algebraic thinking, measurement, data, and geometry.

Many of these problems and investigations grow out of everyday life experiences, such as: reading stories, playing games, drawing pictures, building structures, making collections, and conducting simple hands-on science experiments—while others delve more deeply into the world of mathematics itself.

Students are encouraged to explore, develop, test, discuss, and apply ideas to see mathematics as something that is fluid, vibrant, creative, and relevant.

Our middle school level approach to mathematics follows the expectations set within the New York State Next Generation Mathematics Standards. Middle school students have the opportunity to accelerate in mathematics beginning in sixth grade and work toward taking the Next Generation Mathematics Algebra 1 Regents Exam at the end of eighth grade.

Our curriculum is designed around the New York State Learning Standards for Mathematics and focuses on developing a deep understanding of math concepts, proficiency with key skills, and the ability to solve new and complex problems. One of the primary resources we use at this level is eMath Instruction.

The topics and ideas that are explored at this level are built from what the students learned in elementary school. They are encouraged to learn how to think and solve problems for which there is not always one solution—and learn mathematical skills along the way.

This content-rich approach serves as a means to advance children’s 21st-century mathematical skills —their abstract reasoning, their collaboration skills, their ability to learn from peers and through technology, and their flexibility as a learner in a dynamic learning environment.

Our high school level approach to mathematics follows the expectations set within the New York State Next Generation Mathematics Standards. Students are required to pass a minimum of three mathematics courses and at least one Regents Exam (or Regents Exam Equivalent) in mathematics to meet State graduation requirements. One of the primary resources we use at this level is eMath Instruction.

Many of the courses offer levels (e.g., honors, college credit, AP Credit). Assignment to levels is made on the basis of performance in previous courses, student ability, teacher recommendations, and testing.

District-wide final examinations are administered in all mathematics courses that do not culminate in a New York State Regents Examination.

Many students take a fourth credit of mathematics (not required) in order to prepare for a post-secondary degree.