The Bruce Grey Catholic School Board is singing the praises of a new interactive math program that promises to improve teacher techniques and student success.
It’s called the Collaborative Inquiry and Learning in Mathematics Program (CIL-M) — and it has only been operating for half a year.
The board has implemented the program in six schools for students from Grade 2 to 7.
Unlike traditional math programs — this one doesn’t rely heavily upon text books.
Instead the text book is used more as a resource and the teacher is the one who creates the math problems for the students to solve.
Students are expected to work together in groups to solve the problems.
Visuals and objects are used to help make the math lesson become more vivid.
Teachers also receive extra training on how to deliver the new math program.
The goal is to better engage students and increase both teacher and student confidence.
Teacher Dan Pitre says it takes the intimidation out of math class.
He says students are excited about math and eager to get to their lessons.
Teacher Carrie Diemert says she could never go back to the traditional math lessons where students sat at their desk and simply worked out of the text book.
