The Many Ways of Mathematics
The classroom whiteboard read: “Problem solving is what we do when we don’t know what to do.” In early October, York House teachers invited K-12 Mathematics educator Dr. Kara Imm to the Junior School classrooms to tackle a variety of math problems together with our young students.
The point of these lessons was not simply to arrive at the correct answers. That might have been “the easier part” in designing a math lesson. Dr. Imm, along with YHS teachers, worked alongside our young students to explore possible methods to reach and prove a solution to math problems.
Sorting keys by shapes, arranging pebbles by size, counting heart-shaped jewels by colour, our Grade 1s applied the concepts of counting, pattern, and grouping to their math challenge.
Our young learners also developed their first steps to showing mathematical proof by organizing items in piles, cups, and trays, recording their counts with post-its, and writing their notes on clipboards.
The Grade 2 and 4s applied their mathematical knowledge to the very real scenario of bracelet-making. Kara challenged our students to work with multiplication and division, as well as sequence and patterns to figure out the possible designs of bracelets.
Scribbling, circling and crossing out, recalling the multiplication table, mapping out solutions to prove and eliminate, our Grade 5 students worked in groups and arrived at their answer in a multitude of ways. Beyond the answer key, this lesson asked students to reflect and recognize their experiences of frustration, boredom, and flow in the process of problem solving.
Dr. Imm has worked with YHS faculty and students since 2025. Through thoughtful and well-researched designs, she introduced fun and engaging ways to invite students to embrace Mathematics with positivity.
The outcome of these visits is two-fold. Through collaborating with Dr. Imm, YHS teachers are also proactively examining beyond “what” they teach and assessing “how” math lessons can apply to all types of learners.
In fact, YHS faculty has been thoughtfully planning a series of visits and collaborative time with Dr. Imm through this school year to make Math fun, practical, and accessible to every student.
Aligning with the school’s strategic goals, Dr. Kara Imm’s visits and collaboration offer teachers and students relevant tools to further their transformational learning. And in this case, students also develop confidence in the process of problem solving.
