Integrated mathematics is used to describe the style of mathematics education which integrates multiple branches of mathematics education. Starting around 2013, most high schools began moving toward common core for all age students, even for higher level, high school mathematics. Each math course incorporates topics from algebra, geometry, statistics and analysis.
While this may seem intimidating for many parents and students, the integrated approach to math is not unique to high school; it's also applied to elementary school. For example, third grade students do not learn only multiplication during third grade; they also study geometric concepts like axes of symmetry and an introduction to fractions within the same curriculum. Even younger students, as young as first grade, are on an integrated curriculum. Rather than just focusing on arithmetic and computation as previous generations of students did, students today in the lower grades even begin an introduction to algebraic concepts in the form of missing addends and subtrahends.
Integrated mathematics curriculum allows students a "gallery" experience, to see and learn a wide variety of concepts, and also to see how they are all inter-related, rather than isolated classes with different names, i.e. Algebra and Geometry. For example, first graders now see how addition and subtraction are related when they work through missing addends and subtrahends.
However, integrated maths can be very challenging for students who do not master and fully understand the material, and therefore cannot see the relationships between mathematical and algebraic concepts, which is critical to their success. The integrated I-III sequence also builds upon itself and what students are expected to have learned and retained from the previous class(es), and we all know that that assumption is not always accurate to how much students understand and retain past material in reality.
Mathnasium is very familiar with common core and integrating math learning, though, and is more than happy to support our students even through these intensive, high level math classes. We are local math tutors who are familiar with the community and schools we serve, and because we at Mathnasium specialize in completely individualized education, curriculum, and instruction, we can accomodate students of all ages and needs, whether they are behind looking to catch up, caught up and wanting to stay caught up/get ahead, or ahead and wanting to maintain their enrichment and looking for more rigor in their learning.
Many families are familiar with Mathnasium as a learning center for kids, but few are aware that we really can accomodate and fully support students all the way through their high school years and beyond, especially as the integrated math I-III years can be stressful for not just our students but also their families. Call us to find out more about how we can meet your student's unique needs!
