CISD Secondary Mathematics encourages the use of both an app/browser-based graphing calculator (Desmos) as well as a hand-held model (Casio FX-CG10 or Casio FX-CG50 Graphing Calculator). The predominant calculator of use in any given course will depend on many factors, including the appropriateness related to the content of the course and the end-of-year assessment associated with the course. The benefits of both are numerous and include:

App/Browser-Based Calculator (Desmos)

• the built-in accessibility features of the iPad/MacBook and Desmos allow all students to access content and use the tool;
• the embedding (within Schoology), sharing, and exporting features of Desmos allow for more seamless interaction and feedback in a remote learning environment;
• the great network of educators who share learning experiences created with the Desmos Activity Builder provide equitable access to high quality mathematics;

 
Hand-Held Calculator (Casio FX-CG10 or Casio FX-CG50 Graphing Calculator)

• familiarity of the use of a handheld graphing calculator may/will prepare students for mathematics in higher education;
• experience with the use of a handheld graphing calculator may/will prepare students for success on national/international assessments; and

 
Both

• critical thinking required to navigate, represent, and solve on both an app/browser-based and a handheld calculator raises the critical thinking of mathematical problem solving.

 
*Note: GeoGebra may be used in Geometry for many of the same reasons above. TI calculators are also supported by educators should the students utilize their own.

Communicate with your child’s teacher and ask how you might support at home. It is important to be positive about the subject of mathematics. Having an open mind will set the stage for a good experience. Even if your own experience with math was less than ideal, don’t press this anxiety onto the student. 

Demonstrate a growth mindset about mathematics. This means it is important to embrace challenges, persist in the face of setbacks, see effort as a path to mastery, and believe you can learn and gain understanding. 

Look for math around your home and talk with your child about it. Board games, card games, and dice games present lots of opportunities for math with counting, keeping score, comparing, and ordering. Toys like cars, blocks, and balls can be used to collect data with time, distance, and height. And, the kitchen is a great place to investigate measurement with weight, size, and capacity such as cups and gallons. 

Origo One and Gem Stones - Mathematics are two YouTube channels with elementary math focused content. Both channels include short videos about specific math concepts.

CISD provides all 2nd - 5th grade students with access to Reflex Math, an online program to help support building fact fluency. Reach out to your child’s teacher for information about how to view your child’s progress in Reflex Math.

CISD provides all Kindergarten - 8th grade students with access to DreamBox Learning, an online program to supplement our curriculum and provide lessons and practice in a responsive platform.

Communicate with your child’s teacher and ask how you might support at home. It is important to be positive about the subject of mathematics. Having an open mind will set the stage for a good experience. Even if your own experience with math was less than ideal, don’t press this anxiety onto the student. 

Demonstrate a growth mindset about mathematics. This means it is important to embrace challenges, persist in the face of setbacks, see effort as a path to mastery, and believe you can learn and gain understanding. 

Look for math around your home and talk with your child about it. Board games, card games, and dice games present lots of opportunities for math with keeping score, comparing, ordering, and probability. Sports provide data for math conversations with percentage, minimum, and maximum. And, the kitchen is a great place to investigate measurement with weight, size, and capacity such as cups and gallons and comparison and operations with fractions. 

Mashup Math’s You Tube channel includes middle school math content in relatively short videos.

CISD provides all Kindergarten - 8th grade students with access to DreamBox Learning, an online program to supplement our curriculum and provide lessons and practice in a responsive platform.

Communicate with your child’s teacher and ask how you might support at home. It is important to be positive about the subject of mathematics. Having an open mind will set the stage for a good experience. Even if your own experience with math was less than ideal, don’t press this anxiety onto the student. 

Demonstrate a growth mindset about mathematics. This means it is important to embrace challenges, persist in the face of setbacks, see effort as a path to mastery, and believe you can learn and gain understanding. 

Patrick JMT’s YouTube channel includes high school math content in relatively short videos. Your child’s math teacher may also have a collection of videos to reference as well.

Beginning in grade 6, students have the opportunity to accelerate in mathematics coursework.