What is a Ten Frame?

If you're wondering what a ten frame is and how it can be used to help students develop number sense... watch this video example of a first grade student.

What will Math in Focus look like in the classroom?

Math in Focus is aligned with Common Core State Standards, the new more rigorous standards we are working to meet to ensure our children are competitive both nationally and internationally.

What will you see in the classroom?

Focused Work and Mastery!  Math in Focus introduces fewer topics in each grade, but teaches them deeply and to mastery.  In the past, we have introduced many topics, but have not had the opportunity to go in depth, and ensure our students truly understand concepts to mastery.

Visual and Balanced Approach! Math in Focus is highly visual, following a concrete-to-pictorial-to-abstract progression. 

Focus on Number and Operations!  Math in Focus is sequenced in a way that ensures students develop a strong number sense.  Students spend much of the first half of the year studying number.  This is necessary to move on to more complex and abstract thinking.


Problem Solving Using Model-Drawing!  The Singapore approach utilizes model-drawing strategies to help students solve problems.  The problems utilized in Math in Focus are high quality and complex in nature.

Importance of Attitudes and Metacognition!  The Singapore approach emphasizes the importance of attitude, and the ability to self-monitor while problem solving to achieve success in math.  Students will be learning about perseverance as well!  We know they can spend endless hours on certain things (like video games), so let's build stamina in math as well.  We want our children to be able to think and problem solve - a life skill!

Source: Singapore Math Curriculum Information

Mark Your Calendars... Math in Focus Parent University

During the Math in Focus Parent University, parents and guardians will participate in engaging strategies, pictorial models, games, and more key features of Math in Focus™: The Singapore Approach.  Parent preparation and the establishment of a strong home-school connection will help to ensure an easier transition for students, parents and teachers using Math in Focus™.

Problem Solving is at the Center

The Singapore Ministry of Education developed this graphic to represent their philosophy for teaching mathematics.  As you can see, problem solving is at the center.  Each time a new concept is introduced in the Singapore textbooks, problem solving is central to the discussion.  It is surrounded by five inter-related elements:

• Skills - such as estimation, mental calculation; use of mathematical tools; numerical & algebraic calculation; data analysis
• Concepts - numerical, analytical, algebraic, geometrical, statistical concepts are connected and interdependent
• Processes - reasoning, communication, making connections, thinking skills, application & modeling are necessary for aquiring and applying mathematical knowledge
• Metacognition - thinking about one's own thinking & monitoring one's own learning
• Attitudes - building enthusiasm, confidence, perseverance, appreciation & interest

Students are encouraged to consider how they think about math, communicate mathematically, and solve problems all in an effort to help them apply these skills to new problems that they may be faced with in math class and beyond.

A Quick Look at Math in Focus

Click here for a quick look at the Math in Focus program and the story behind it.

Welcome to the HSD Math Blog!

This blog was created to keep you up to date on what is happening with mathematics in the Hooksett School District.  The focus this year will be on the implementation of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics and our new mathematics program, Math in Focus Singapore Math by Marshall Cavendish.  I hope that you will find the resources on the student, parent and teachers pages helpful as we move through an exciting and challenging year of mathematics education in Hooksett.