1. The Drills Component

Drill, drill, drill is an ineffective and outdated way of doing mathematics. The Spirit of Math approach combines cooperative learning drills with an in-depth mathematics problem-solving program that has proved popular and effective with students. The drills component encourages cooperation among the students, helps build self-confidence and helps the students achieve accuracy in mental calculation. Improvement and group cooperation in reaching the required class average are emphasized.

In grades 5 and 6, students are given 10 minutes to complete the grid. They each keep a graph of their progress and a large graph showing progress of the class average is displayed in the classroom. When the class average reaches 70 out of 80, the students move on to the next drill: a short division drill. A similar process is used with students in grades 1 through 4. The drills for the younger students also include addition and integers.

2. Problem of the week

Right after the drill, a problem is read to the students. They are free to work out the problem in their groups, but will write down their own personal answer at the end of this consultation process. When a whole group answers the problem correctly, the teacher may choose any member of this group to explain the solution to the class. This puts strong emphasis on working cooperatively with others, and on presenting solutions rather than just getting marks for answers.

3. Classroom Instruction

We begin with regrouping numbers in grade 1, which leads into the “Relocation Property” in grade 3. This involves moving numbers for ease of calculation in questions which involve addition and subtraction, or multiplication and division. Prime numbers are introduced at this point to help promote mental calculation abilities in multiplication and division.

You will note that many of the topics covered in the texts are not included in our grades 5, 6 and 7 curriculums. Some of this material is incorporated in the problem solving exercises. The Spirit of Math curriculum throughout all the grades emphasizes a developmental approach in terms of understanding and ability. Questions given to students go well beyond the level of questioning in the texts, so that students receive a thorough preparation before moving on. Difficulties arise with students who do not, for one reason or another, keep up, for this is not a spiral approach. It is therefore important to make sure that students take responsibility for their learning right from the start of the year. When instruction is missed, there is no going back, except where review is incorporated in new topics. Thorough treatment of each concept is intended to provide skills which will, in turn, lead to new insights. There is no review of old material at more and more difficult levels year after year.

4. Monthly Assignments

These assignments provide for research and experimentation with numbers, but are largely aimed at developing both problem solving and relationship skills. In various ways, students are encouraged to share their insights and understandings without just giving away answers.